Why not to wear rings climbing.

Post by **Don McGlone** » Mon Jan 20, 2003 2:18 pm

http://www.safetycenter.navy.mil/media/ ... s/hand.jpg

Must have been a good lock.

Post by **kato** » Mon Jan 20, 2003 2:46 pm

That looks a little fake. Although I've worked in a couple companies with shops and there are always a few shop workers missing ring fingers. Nothing like a high speed steel cutter to catch on your ring and whip you finger across the shop floor. I never wear mine while climbing cause after talking to some of these guys, I was impressed with how many different ways there are to lose a finger due to a ring, even when power tools aren't involved.

Then again, I saw a guy lose a finger at Roadside, just from having the rope looped around a finger while on lead. No ring involved. It just yanked that sucker right off.

Post by **Yasmeen** » Mon Jan 20, 2003 3:03 pm

JEEZ!!! Even if that picture is fake, just knowing that that kind of thing can happen makes my stomach turn. Yet another reason why I could never work in the medical field.

Kato, was this guy going for a clip and had the rope looped around his finger? Do you know what the situation was? That's really disturbing. And I'm really glad I don't wear jewelry...

Post by **Legion** » Mon Jan 20, 2003 5:43 pm

I've heard that type of injury called a glove or de-gloving amputation. I know of a climber who ended up looking a lot like that picture when his ring snagged on the edge of a hold as he was falling.

Post by **kato** » Mon Jan 20, 2003 7:54 pm

Yas:
This guy was on one of the 10's right at the top of the approach, it may have been AWOL. We had just arrived and he was about halfway up and going for a clip. The rope looped around his finger, whether on purpose or by accident. It must have been close to his harness, when his weight hit the rope it just pulled his finger off. We helped his belayer gather their stuff up and head down the trail to be picked up by the ambulance. They forgot his boots and we had them for close to a year before he called us to get them back. He said he was climbing again. Can't remember whether they reattached the finger.
M.

Post by **Lucinda** » Mon Jan 20, 2003 10:34 pm

Doncha just love those safety fliers? especially when they come via e-mail, first thing in the morning while you are drinking your coffee. I have a friend who's son lost a foot and ankle from a rope in a boating accident. He is lucky he didn't bleed to death. Watch the rope!

Post by **Yasmeen** » Mon Jan 20, 2003 11:49 pm

*cringe* I'd never considered rope so dangerous until this thread. I thought rope was the good guy... I'm so naive

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jan 20, 2003 11:59 pm

you and me both, Yasmeen. *heebie jeebies*

Post by **Steve** » Tue Jan 21, 2003 1:07 am

Its a sick thought for sure, no matter if the pic is real or not.
Somebody I work with had a freak ring accident once. She was with a bunch of friends on some boat and was turnign the corner to go up some stairs and her ring caught on part of the handrail where it attaches to the wall. She kept walking up the stairs, her hand didn't. Ripped a bunch of skin off, it went pretty deep and she had to have stitches. Rings are dangerous....in more ways than one!

Post by **Gretchen** » Tue Jan 21, 2003 2:06 am

When I first moved to Cincy I worked in surgery. We had "THE" hand specialists in the area. Needless to say I saw a TON of nasty amputations and stupid human errors! Thank god I know who to go to if anything were to happen...these guys do amazing work!