Doing stupid things
Discussion
Firstly I do have another account on PH but I've not really been actively posting just lately however I don't want this associating with me as I've suffered in the past when posting persona;;y stuff, someone always seems to use it against you for something. I know we're not meant to have more than one account but I feel better doing it this way and I know there are good people on this site.
Yesterday I was doing some work at home involving a 9" angle grinder, it wouldn't quite do what I wanted so I took the guard off and whilst using it it jammed. It kicked back, ran up my chest and made a deep laceration into my cheek. it took a second or so to realise what had happened and there was loads of blood at first, I really thought it was the end. I did manage to drive myself to A&E where I spent the next 12 hrs where I was referred to the maxfax department who did a brilliant job on me to be fair, 24 stiches (12 in and 12 out) and no nerve or duct damage.
The reason for the post is I should feel ecstatic that I've still got a head and minimal damage but I feel like absolute s
t for being so stupid, I cant seem to concentrate on anything. A few people have asked if I'm ok and I just brush it off as a lucky escape but I know they are all thinking what an absolute fool.
Yesterday I was doing some work at home involving a 9" angle grinder, it wouldn't quite do what I wanted so I took the guard off and whilst using it it jammed. It kicked back, ran up my chest and made a deep laceration into my cheek. it took a second or so to realise what had happened and there was loads of blood at first, I really thought it was the end. I did manage to drive myself to A&E where I spent the next 12 hrs where I was referred to the maxfax department who did a brilliant job on me to be fair, 24 stiches (12 in and 12 out) and no nerve or duct damage.
The reason for the post is I should feel ecstatic that I've still got a head and minimal damage but I feel like absolute s
t for being so stupid, I cant seem to concentrate on anything. A few people have asked if I'm ok and I just brush it off as a lucky escape but I know they are all thinking what an absolute fool.Time will heal both the physical scars and the emotional scars.
Similar to any traumatic event, you will keep playing it over in your head. That will fade.
Glad you are still here to tell the tale. Don't worry what others think..... Get on with your life and treat it as a lesson learnt!
Similar to any traumatic event, you will keep playing it over in your head. That will fade.
Glad you are still here to tell the tale. Don't worry what others think..... Get on with your life and treat it as a lesson learnt!
Lucky escape, you've used up one of your lives, lived to tell the tale so all is good!
Been there done the no guard thing with a 4.5" grinder, didn't need stiches but left a good scar and stood on the wrong side of a 9" grinder which needed 6 stiches for a leg wound
I've also had two near death experiences because of my own stupidity and even survived a I was dead for 10mins but not because of my own stupidity experience so have an idea of how you're feeling
Best bit of advice I can give is don't dwell on the 'what if' but embrace the 'how lucky am I' and get on with life as you did before without worrying about what anyone thinks
Been there done the no guard thing with a 4.5" grinder, didn't need stiches but left a good scar and stood on the wrong side of a 9" grinder which needed 6 stiches for a leg wound
I've also had two near death experiences because of my own stupidity and even survived a I was dead for 10mins but not because of my own stupidity experience so have an idea of how you're feeling
Best bit of advice I can give is don't dwell on the 'what if' but embrace the 'how lucky am I' and get on with life as you did before without worrying about what anyone thinks
I did something similar too..
In fact, I've don't a few....
1- was cutting a heavy duty cardboard box up with a stanley knife, you know the sort, double corrugated layer. Blade slipped out of the box as I was putting a load of force into it and the momentum arc swung the blade to my left wrist. This was probably 20ish yrs ago. I have a vertical scar on the heal of my hand. An inch further down and it would've been the along the veins in my wrist. It didn't hurt at the time and the first I realised I was bleeding was the tickling sensation of blood running across the palm of my hand.
2- like you, I run my grinder without the guard. Was cutting some sheet metal holding the grinder with my right hand, it dug in and ran away from me, over my left fingers. I'm certain to this day that my wedding band saved my finger. Lots of blood etc, got an impressive scar around that knuckle.
3- third one could've been fatal. Was working on my pals old 7series under the back, exhaust. Both rear wheels off. My pal noticed one of the jacks starting to collapse and I managed to roll out to safety. Before it hit the ground. If I'm going under anything nowadays I always use multiple axle stands, or a pair of ramps if the wheels can be left on.
In fact, I've don't a few....
1- was cutting a heavy duty cardboard box up with a stanley knife, you know the sort, double corrugated layer. Blade slipped out of the box as I was putting a load of force into it and the momentum arc swung the blade to my left wrist. This was probably 20ish yrs ago. I have a vertical scar on the heal of my hand. An inch further down and it would've been the along the veins in my wrist. It didn't hurt at the time and the first I realised I was bleeding was the tickling sensation of blood running across the palm of my hand.
2- like you, I run my grinder without the guard. Was cutting some sheet metal holding the grinder with my right hand, it dug in and ran away from me, over my left fingers. I'm certain to this day that my wedding band saved my finger. Lots of blood etc, got an impressive scar around that knuckle.
3- third one could've been fatal. Was working on my pals old 7series under the back, exhaust. Both rear wheels off. My pal noticed one of the jacks starting to collapse and I managed to roll out to safety. Before it hit the ground. If I'm going under anything nowadays I always use multiple axle stands, or a pair of ramps if the wheels can be left on.
Dropped a hacksaw blade on the garage floor. Picked it up but one end was stuck under the bench and as I pulled the blade cut down to the bone.
As a kid blowpipes were all the rage. A darning needle pushed into a wad of paper and propelled from any available tubing. I wound a darning needle too tight and it stuck. By smacking the pipe on the ground inertia would knock the needle out. Problem was I did this on carpet and the needle stuck in the carpet, and not seeing it the next thump on the ground with the pipe had my little, ring and middle finger joined by the needle through them.
Every scar tells a story of carelessness or just plain stupidity
As a kid blowpipes were all the rage. A darning needle pushed into a wad of paper and propelled from any available tubing. I wound a darning needle too tight and it stuck. By smacking the pipe on the ground inertia would knock the needle out. Problem was I did this on carpet and the needle stuck in the carpet, and not seeing it the next thump on the ground with the pipe had my little, ring and middle finger joined by the needle through them.
Every scar tells a story of carelessness or just plain stupidity
Never injured myself but I recall last summer I was sat on my garage floor in shorts and flipflops using an angle grinder around 9 inches away from my bare leg while I was cutting something and I scared myself with just the thought of how stupid I was being, luckily I got away with that one.
Hope you recover quickly OP and don't be too hard on yourself the internet is full of videos of us men doing very silly things with tools and other DIY activities without thinking properly about it.
Hope you recover quickly OP and don't be too hard on yourself the internet is full of videos of us men doing very silly things with tools and other DIY activities without thinking properly about it.
jm8403 said:
well done for being open OP. Hopefully this make 1/2 people think in future.
Hope it’s not too soon for a joke but I think if people end up in 1/2, they’d have their own experiences to learn from. Quite right, we’ve all been there OP to some extent. Strangely enough, the one that affected me most was probably one of the least threatening to my life. Slicing courgettes using one of those mandolins without the guard or guide type thing. Looked up to check on 3 year old daughter and took the tip off my finger. I still shudder when tv chef’s use them…
I'm reminded all the time of my stupidly 14 years ago. In the words of the surgeon, I did a pretty good job of self amputating my right thumb.
Was cleaning my fixed wheel bike chain whilst all parts were moving. The rag pulled my thumb into the drive train around the rear sprocket.
Severed around the joint, and sewn back on again, with wires through the bone etc
Now have a mis shaped nail and constant dull pain.
Have adapted to using my left hand, but most things are still difficult to do.
Was cleaning my fixed wheel bike chain whilst all parts were moving. The rag pulled my thumb into the drive train around the rear sprocket.
Severed around the joint, and sewn back on again, with wires through the bone etc
Now have a mis shaped nail and constant dull pain.
Have adapted to using my left hand, but most things are still difficult to do.
accident
/ˈaksɪd(ə)nt/
Learn to pronounce
noun
1.
an unfortunate incident that happens unexpectedly and unintentionally, typically resulting in damage or injury.
"he had an accident at the factory"
Similar:
mishap
misfortune
misadventure
mischance
unfortunate incident
injury
disaster
tragedy
catastrophe
contretemps
calamity
blow
trouble
problem
difficulty
casualty
2.
an event that happens by chance or that is without apparent or deliberate cause.
"the pregnancy was an accident"
/ˈaksɪd(ə)nt/
Learn to pronounce
noun
1.
an unfortunate incident that happens unexpectedly and unintentionally, typically resulting in damage or injury.
"he had an accident at the factory"
Similar:
mishap
misfortune
misadventure
mischance
unfortunate incident
injury
disaster
tragedy
catastrophe
contretemps
calamity
blow
trouble
problem
difficulty
casualty
2.
an event that happens by chance or that is without apparent or deliberate cause.
"the pregnancy was an accident"
Thanks for the replies, I just feel really stupid for doing something like that, its as if I knew it was going to happen but was just hoping it wouldn't. I almost had a death wish in wanting to get the job done.
The problem I've got this morning though is the area where it happened has really swelled up in the night, its like I've got a gob stopper inside my mouth, the only thing I've done different is remove the steri strips that were over the stiches and put on some antiseptic cream the doctor gave me. I also woke up sleeping on that side of my face if that could have caused it. An ice pack helps a bit and so does coffee strangely enough. Is this a normal part of the healing process?
My other dilemma is I have decent CCTV and it would have captured the incident in HD but I don't really want to watch it back again, I certainly wouldn't want to watch it happen to someone else. It will get recorded over in a couple of days, would you just let it do that.
The problem I've got this morning though is the area where it happened has really swelled up in the night, its like I've got a gob stopper inside my mouth, the only thing I've done different is remove the steri strips that were over the stiches and put on some antiseptic cream the doctor gave me. I also woke up sleeping on that side of my face if that could have caused it. An ice pack helps a bit and so does coffee strangely enough. Is this a normal part of the healing process?
My other dilemma is I have decent CCTV and it would have captured the incident in HD but I don't really want to watch it back again, I certainly wouldn't want to watch it happen to someone else. It will get recorded over in a couple of days, would you just let it do that.
Swelling up, yes. The body essentially floods the area with fluid to protect from further damage. All part of the healing process and nothing to worry about. (Unless it starts to weep badly and smells - that's an infection)
Save the video as a story for others or your kids or whatever. I wouldnt worry about feeling stupid. Drunk people do much, much worse and have zero recollection and/or remorse. Accidents happen.
Save the video as a story for others or your kids or whatever. I wouldnt worry about feeling stupid. Drunk people do much, much worse and have zero recollection and/or remorse. Accidents happen.
Don’t watch the video - delete it or wait for it to be over written. Watching it will make you dwell even more on the “what if”
Good on you for talking up. I can imagine you are mortified at your own stupidity. It’s a good sign that like the rest of us, you are human. We all do stupid things that we regret. Anyone who says they haven’t Is probably lying
Good on you for talking up. I can imagine you are mortified at your own stupidity. It’s a good sign that like the rest of us, you are human. We all do stupid things that we regret. Anyone who says they haven’t Is probably lying
tommytaylor said:
Thanks for the replies, I just feel really stupid for doing something like that, its as if I knew it was going to happen but was just hoping it wouldn't. I almost had a death wish in wanting to get the job done.
The problem I've got this morning though is the area where it happened has really swelled up in the night, its like I've got a gob stopper inside my mouth, the only thing I've done different is remove the steri strips that were over the stiches and put on some antiseptic cream the doctor gave me. I also woke up sleeping on that side of my face if that could have caused it. An ice pack helps a bit and so does coffee strangely enough. Is this a normal part of the healing process?
My other dilemma is I have decent CCTV and it would have captured the incident in HD but I don't really want to watch it back again, I certainly wouldn't want to watch it happen to someone else. It will get recorded over in a couple of days, would you just let it do that.
nah - save it. put on youtube = retire.The problem I've got this morning though is the area where it happened has really swelled up in the night, its like I've got a gob stopper inside my mouth, the only thing I've done different is remove the steri strips that were over the stiches and put on some antiseptic cream the doctor gave me. I also woke up sleeping on that side of my face if that could have caused it. An ice pack helps a bit and so does coffee strangely enough. Is this a normal part of the healing process?
My other dilemma is I have decent CCTV and it would have captured the incident in HD but I don't really want to watch it back again, I certainly wouldn't want to watch it happen to someone else. It will get recorded over in a couple of days, would you just let it do that.
It has everything to do with complacency and eventually being caught off guard, IMO and speaking from my own experiences.
Sometimes we have split-second moments to react and get ourselves away from or mitigate or avail ourselves of the hazard (which for the next time allows us to rethink things and learn from a near-miss), on other occasions we may not be so fortunate and, rightly or wrongly, we experience the full brunt of it.
Sometimes we have split-second moments to react and get ourselves away from or mitigate or avail ourselves of the hazard (which for the next time allows us to rethink things and learn from a near-miss), on other occasions we may not be so fortunate and, rightly or wrongly, we experience the full brunt of it.
Had a VERY lucky escape back in 2001. I was lathing some titanium and the tolerances were very tight. I did a final cut but it was still a bit too high but not enough for a spring cut. So I grabbed some emery cloth and pushed really hard on it to get it within tolerance. Without any warning, my thumb got grabbed by the cloth and jammed it under the spinning titanium. Luckily, I snatched it back straight away! My thumb nail was as black as a coal miners shovel but I felt very blessed afterwards. I've seen online what can happen to someone caught up in a lathe and there isn't much left when the machine finally comes to a stop.
I hate angle grinders. They're a last resort for me to use.
I have had two minor close shaves with a cheap mitre saw, one where I was hurrying to cut a small bit of wood which the saw spay back at me, really painful and I thought I'd lost a big chunk of finger but fortunately no, I hadn't.
The other was when the guard failed and was stuck in the up position. I'd knelt down to cut some wood and had turned round to grab the next piece with my right hand, balancing with my left hand. The left hand happened to touch the non-braked blade as it was slowing down. Still have a scar as a reminder to a) get set up properly and b) buy a better mitre saw with a guard and brake (which I have done).
I have had two minor close shaves with a cheap mitre saw, one where I was hurrying to cut a small bit of wood which the saw spay back at me, really painful and I thought I'd lost a big chunk of finger but fortunately no, I hadn't.
The other was when the guard failed and was stuck in the up position. I'd knelt down to cut some wood and had turned round to grab the next piece with my right hand, balancing with my left hand. The left hand happened to touch the non-braked blade as it was slowing down. Still have a scar as a reminder to a) get set up properly and b) buy a better mitre saw with a guard and brake (which I have done).
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