While re-pumbing my P323 Thursday I cut my hand real bad with a uitity knife. My boat is on the hard and I was all by myself at the time and help was not aviable. I was a bloody mess!!! I was able to get control of myself and not panic. My first aid box was handy (thank god) and I was able to stop the bleeding. After wraping my hand, I new I had to get to the hospital (15 miles away) but since I was up on my boat and only had a 6 foot step ladder on the ground, it was going to be very difficult getting down. Well, I managed to get down (almost fell) and drove myself to the hospital to get my hand fixed. Here is what I learned from the event: 1. keep your first aid box (very) handy and well stocked. As I said, my box was close but it is not the best stocked, there are things that should be in my box that are not but will be this week!!! Anything more than what I did to myself and I think things would have been different. (Be prepared) 2. The 6 foot step ladder is an accident waiting to happen!!! A long ladder is a must!!! It's not the fall that will get you, it's that sudden stop that will !!! 3. know where you are at! there is a hospital about 5 miles from the yard I keep my boat for the winter which is 25 miles from my summer slip. Time can be everything!!!! 4. keep a pocket cell phone with you at all times!!! Mine was not doing me any good in my truck. (I did not want to be bothered). 5. Most of all, do not panic!!! take control of the situation and get help fast. As for my hand, it's not good. the dirty razor knife sliced me like butter,I cut myself between my thunmb and index finger. I sliced most of the nevers and tendons and have little to no movement and feeling in thumb. Because I did this on Thanksgiving day the hospital was ill staff and was unable to get my hand working. The just closed me up and sent me home. I will have hand surgery tomorrow and will keep you all posted. I hope they can fix me. Steve, s/v NOETA (P323)
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Lifeguard's Advice
Steve, I am glad you wrote this post. Don't feel stupid. Mistakes happen. I am glad that you were able to learn from your experience. We should all have two very important mottos: safety first and be prepared. Take this from someone who has seen just about everything. Remember the boy that lost his arm to the shark at Langdon Beach, Pensacola, Florida. I am the lifeguard that pulled his arm out of the sharks mouth so the doctors could reattach it. I see alot of mistakes as a lifeguard but I also respond to 911 calls by way of a pager to assist in surf rescues, boating accidents, car wrecks, fires, etc. I have learned alot from my experiences that I believe has prevented alot of accidents for my self while sailing. I hope your story motivates sailors to to take the precautions that are needed. If anyone needs help with a first aid kit or other emergency precautions don't hesitate to email me at liv2sail@angelfire.com
Steve, I am glad you wrote this post. Don't feel stupid. Mistakes happen. I am glad that you were able to learn from your experience. We should all have two very important mottos: safety first and be prepared. Take this from someone who has seen just about everything. Remember the boy that lost his arm to the shark at Langdon Beach, Pensacola, Florida. I am the lifeguard that pulled his arm out of the sharks mouth so the doctors could reattach it. I see alot of mistakes as a lifeguard but I also respond to 911 calls by way of a pager to assist in surf rescues, boating accidents, car wrecks, fires, etc. I have learned alot from my experiences that I believe has prevented alot of accidents for my self while sailing. I hope your story motivates sailors to to take the precautions that are needed. If anyone needs help with a first aid kit or other emergency precautions don't hesitate to email me at liv2sail@angelfire.com
medic / first aid
Sorry to hear of your misfortune. Hope the surgery goes well. As far as preparation is concerned, I personally went the route of having formal medic / first aid training, and now keep a well stocked first aid kit in my home, car and boat. Since I am a scuba diver as well, I took the PADI rescue diver certification course and feel very confident that if needed, my training can be put to use.
Sorry to hear of your misfortune. Hope the surgery goes well. As far as preparation is concerned, I personally went the route of having formal medic / first aid training, and now keep a well stocked first aid kit in my home, car and boat. Since I am a scuba diver as well, I took the PADI rescue diver certification course and feel very confident that if needed, my training can be put to use.
Steve,
I did something similar about a month ago. I am a contractor and at the job I was cutting a piece of aluminum with a jig saw ( some call them sabersaws) and the blade pinched and the saw was ejected out of the aluminum into the air and down into my hand that was holding the aluminum. It stuck in to my hand between the thumb and pointer but did not cut the web. That part of the hand does bleed quickly and with power especially when flexed. I applied direct pressure for about one minute while gathering paper towels and electrical tape ( this is my usual bandage material) By then the bleeding was slowed instead of spirting. I overlaid it with a paper towel and used the electrical tape to tape it on and tight enough to give direct pressure. I was very fortunate that 3 stiches fixed it and other than a nasty wound after it healed, it is fine. I was very gratfull that it had not cut the web. I type all this because my fear was the loss on use. I pray that all goes well with your surgery and that full use is restored. Your post must have taken forever to type with one hand. best wishes r.w.landau
I did something similar about a month ago. I am a contractor and at the job I was cutting a piece of aluminum with a jig saw ( some call them sabersaws) and the blade pinched and the saw was ejected out of the aluminum into the air and down into my hand that was holding the aluminum. It stuck in to my hand between the thumb and pointer but did not cut the web. That part of the hand does bleed quickly and with power especially when flexed. I applied direct pressure for about one minute while gathering paper towels and electrical tape ( this is my usual bandage material) By then the bleeding was slowed instead of spirting. I overlaid it with a paper towel and used the electrical tape to tape it on and tight enough to give direct pressure. I was very fortunate that 3 stiches fixed it and other than a nasty wound after it healed, it is fine. I was very gratfull that it had not cut the web. I type all this because my fear was the loss on use. I pray that all goes well with your surgery and that full use is restored. Your post must have taken forever to type with one hand. best wishes r.w.landau
More bad news....
I went to the Hand surgery center today for out patient hand surgery and they were unable to repair my hand. I will have to check into the hospital on Wed. for surgery their. I was told that "They should" be able to repair my hand and that I "should" expect to re-gain "up to 50%" of movement and "up to 50% feeling in my thumb and index finger. "That sucks"!!!! I will have to take 4 weeks off from work and being that I am a cabinet/fixture maker, I may not be able to work in the shop anymore. I sure hope I'll be able to fully sail my boat by myself this spring. Thanks for all your support, I am "very sure" that, just like the last freight train that ran me over, this too will pass! Steve, s/v NOETA (P323)
I went to the Hand surgery center today for out patient hand surgery and they were unable to repair my hand. I will have to check into the hospital on Wed. for surgery their. I was told that "They should" be able to repair my hand and that I "should" expect to re-gain "up to 50%" of movement and "up to 50% feeling in my thumb and index finger. "That sucks"!!!! I will have to take 4 weeks off from work and being that I am a cabinet/fixture maker, I may not be able to work in the shop anymore. I sure hope I'll be able to fully sail my boat by myself this spring. Thanks for all your support, I am "very sure" that, just like the last freight train that ran me over, this too will pass! Steve, s/v NOETA (P323)
Good Advice
Steve: Great advice Hopefully it will help to save someones life some day. As a career Firefighter / EMT, I think you did all the right things after the accident. Hope your surgery turned out OK. GOOD LUCK on a full and swift recovery. Barry Broyles C22 #1909 "Brighteyes"
Steve: Great advice Hopefully it will help to save someones life some day. As a career Firefighter / EMT, I think you did all the right things after the accident. Hope your surgery turned out OK. GOOD LUCK on a full and swift recovery. Barry Broyles C22 #1909 "Brighteyes"
Hand Surgery Wizards
Steve, Very sorry to hear about the hand and the initial prognosis. I want to make you aware of a surgery team in Louisville, KY of all places named Kleinert, Kutz and Associates. They are world famous hand surgeons and do things like hand transplants, sewing on amputated hands, etc. Their phone number is 502-561-4263. Might be worth a second opinion. Good luck. Gary Wyngarden S/V Shibumi H335
Steve, Very sorry to hear about the hand and the initial prognosis. I want to make you aware of a surgery team in Louisville, KY of all places named Kleinert, Kutz and Associates. They are world famous hand surgeons and do things like hand transplants, sewing on amputated hands, etc. Their phone number is 502-561-4263. Might be worth a second opinion. Good luck. Gary Wyngarden S/V Shibumi H335
Steve; Really Sorry to Hear....
...about your accident. We sincerely hope that the surgery goes well and that recovery is as complete as possible. You have our deepest sympathy and concern. And good pointers on first aid kits, ladders, cell phones and situational awareness. Many years ago I (Carl) had a similarly frightening experience; a horrilble gash from a jagged tear on a car fender. Started to get nauseous and faint; forutnately was able to fight it off. Just reading your post brought back the feelings in my stomach from so long ago. It is an opportunity for reflection on what we do and how we do it. Others have added, and at the risk of getting on a soap box at an inappropriate time, I will also. 1. Never, ever, ever work alone. I was alone in my accident many years ago; the blood was awful, and I don't even want to think of what might have happened if I had fainted. Bring someone else along, even if they only sit and read. Not realistic? Then all it really takes is another person within shouting distance. If you can't get even that, consider waiting for another time. 2. Utility knives are perhaps the most dangerous tool on the face of the earth. Where I work we once did an analysis of OSHA recordable injuries, and by a very wide margin the number 1 tool involved was the "Stanley knife". We have one on board, but seldom use it; only when literally nothing else will do the job, and that's not very often. 3. Wear good leather working gloves when using any cutting device. Good leather is very tough to cut through. 4. As an earlier post mentioned, the Red Cross teaches short courses in basic CPR and first aid. Even coastal cruising, we can be hours away from any other medical assistance. 5. After putting together our boat first aid kit this spring, we laughed at the "overkill" of what we had created. After this story we are going to go ADD it! Sorry for the soap box, but it helped me get rid of that feeling in my stomach. GOOD LUCK, Steve!! Carl and Jule s/v 'Syzygy'
...about your accident. We sincerely hope that the surgery goes well and that recovery is as complete as possible. You have our deepest sympathy and concern. And good pointers on first aid kits, ladders, cell phones and situational awareness. Many years ago I (Carl) had a similarly frightening experience; a horrilble gash from a jagged tear on a car fender. Started to get nauseous and faint; forutnately was able to fight it off. Just reading your post brought back the feelings in my stomach from so long ago. It is an opportunity for reflection on what we do and how we do it. Others have added, and at the risk of getting on a soap box at an inappropriate time, I will also. 1. Never, ever, ever work alone. I was alone in my accident many years ago; the blood was awful, and I don't even want to think of what might have happened if I had fainted. Bring someone else along, even if they only sit and read. Not realistic? Then all it really takes is another person within shouting distance. If you can't get even that, consider waiting for another time. 2. Utility knives are perhaps the most dangerous tool on the face of the earth. Where I work we once did an analysis of OSHA recordable injuries, and by a very wide margin the number 1 tool involved was the "Stanley knife". We have one on board, but seldom use it; only when literally nothing else will do the job, and that's not very often. 3. Wear good leather working gloves when using any cutting device. Good leather is very tough to cut through. 4. As an earlier post mentioned, the Red Cross teaches short courses in basic CPR and first aid. Even coastal cruising, we can be hours away from any other medical assistance. 5. After putting together our boat first aid kit this spring, we laughed at the "overkill" of what we had created. After this story we are going to go ADD it! Sorry for the soap box, but it helped me get rid of that feeling in my stomach. GOOD LUCK, Steve!! Carl and Jule s/v 'Syzygy'
Steve
I am truly sorry to hear the initial news. I previously tried to type something with hope and long enough to let you know you are not the only one that screws-up. From reading your posts, I don't think that you are the kind of guy that will let this overtake him. Your posts have shown drive, ambition and determination. I know that sailing gets the blood pumping but I can't believe that it stops there. Do you work in a shop or own the shop? If you work in the shop and own a 32, you have not done bad. You obviously know something about what you do. If you own the shop, maybe you should rethink how you operate it. As for sailing, I have no doubt that you will find a way. Yes, it sucks and life is fragile. You could have fallen off the ladder..... Steve, I know this was a blow and many who read this will think I am heartless, but if this is the best it gets, make it happen. Again, my hope is the best for your and your hand. r.w.landau
I am truly sorry to hear the initial news. I previously tried to type something with hope and long enough to let you know you are not the only one that screws-up. From reading your posts, I don't think that you are the kind of guy that will let this overtake him. Your posts have shown drive, ambition and determination. I know that sailing gets the blood pumping but I can't believe that it stops there. Do you work in a shop or own the shop? If you work in the shop and own a 32, you have not done bad. You obviously know something about what you do. If you own the shop, maybe you should rethink how you operate it. As for sailing, I have no doubt that you will find a way. Yes, it sucks and life is fragile. You could have fallen off the ladder..... Steve, I know this was a blow and many who read this will think I am heartless, but if this is the best it gets, make it happen. Again, my hope is the best for your and your hand. r.w.landau
R.W. Landau and everybody
I work in a shop, I do not own it. I have been working in a cabinet shop since I was 12,( had to go to school though), I will be 40 in January. I thank you and everyone else that has responded to my post, it has given me a possitive outlook. I will take a possitive approach to the whole situation. As "Yoda" once said to young Luke, "there is no try, either do or don't" that's how I look at it. As some of you may know from a past post here on "HOW" (Fear and old age, I live a full, active and adventurious life. 18 years ago in January, I broke my neck in 4 places, broke my arm and dislocated my jaw while motorcycle road racing on a track. It took 16 months of a hell of a fight to recover and I am just fine now thank you very much. Point here is that I have way too much to look forward to to give up on anything. I really think I can retire in five years and go cruising and full time live aboard (working as I go) and damb it, I'm gonna do it !!!. By the way, I just got back from Boat/US, I bought the biggest first aid kit they had ($100.00) CHEAP!!!!!! But it is still lacking enough suppiles. I check in the hospital at 12:30 tomorrow for surgery and will try to update this thread for those interested. Thanks again my friends and fair winds to you all. Steve, s/v NOETA (P323)
I work in a shop, I do not own it. I have been working in a cabinet shop since I was 12,( had to go to school though), I will be 40 in January. I thank you and everyone else that has responded to my post, it has given me a possitive outlook. I will take a possitive approach to the whole situation. As "Yoda" once said to young Luke, "there is no try, either do or don't" that's how I look at it. As some of you may know from a past post here on "HOW" (Fear and old age, I live a full, active and adventurious life. 18 years ago in January, I broke my neck in 4 places, broke my arm and dislocated my jaw while motorcycle road racing on a track. It took 16 months of a hell of a fight to recover and I am just fine now thank you very much. Point here is that I have way too much to look forward to to give up on anything. I really think I can retire in five years and go cruising and full time live aboard (working as I go) and damb it, I'm gonna do it !!!. By the way, I just got back from Boat/US, I bought the biggest first aid kit they had ($100.00) CHEAP!!!!!! But it is still lacking enough suppiles. I check in the hospital at 12:30 tomorrow for surgery and will try to update this thread for those interested. Thanks again my friends and fair winds to you all. Steve, s/v NOETA (P323)
First Aid Courses
In addition to the Red Cross First Aid courses, sailors may want to consider Wilderness First Aid courses. These are designed for people who are more than an hour away from medical help. These course go way beyond other first aid courses which are geared toward being able to get assistance quickly. Solo is one provider of the courses and there are others.
In addition to the Red Cross First Aid courses, sailors may want to consider Wilderness First Aid courses. These are designed for people who are more than an hour away from medical help. These course go way beyond other first aid courses which are geared toward being able to get assistance quickly. Solo is one provider of the courses and there are others.
Good Luck With The Surgery Steve
Steve, I'm really sorry to hear about your hand! No downplaying it, that's a bad injury, but you've been through tough stuff before and you have a strong will and good attitude. I hope and pray for the best possible results with the surgery. I have had micro-surgery to repair severed nerves in one of my fingers.(Alpo can lid sliced to the bone.....couldn't feel a thing in the last two joints or use it before the surgery. I recovered about 50% feeling and 80% use and frankly, never pay any attention to it now. Mine was minor compared to yours but similar enough to understand the process. Hang in there...you'll be fine! Dick
Steve, I'm really sorry to hear about your hand! No downplaying it, that's a bad injury, but you've been through tough stuff before and you have a strong will and good attitude. I hope and pray for the best possible results with the surgery. I have had micro-surgery to repair severed nerves in one of my fingers.(Alpo can lid sliced to the bone.....couldn't feel a thing in the last two joints or use it before the surgery. I recovered about 50% feeling and 80% use and frankly, never pay any attention to it now. Mine was minor compared to yours but similar enough to understand the process. Hang in there...you'll be fine! Dick
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