Want to know just in case.

Chang

Chang

Joined
Oct 9, 1998
Messages
1,767
Just wondering in case it ever happens (doubt it will), but what is the proper procedure if you accidentally get a finger chopped off on a bandsaw, scrollsaw, cut off wheel, or drill press spun knife? Call for an ambulance... but where do I put my damaged hand and my removed finger(s)?

I think I once read to put it in a cup of cold milk and it will make chances for reattachment a lot better. Is this correct?
 
Any cold container will work. Have never heard of the cold milk, but should work. A cup of ice will also work. First thing to worry about is whats left on you. It is doubtful that you have a stock pile of 4x4 pads around, so just pack up the wound in a clean towel and apply pressure. If you soak the towel, DO NOT REMOVE IT, just put another towel on top of it. The key is lots of pressure and a cool head. In real life you will most likey pass out. Try not to;).
 
I think that it's teeth that you put into milk to save for replacement...

Unless you're dunking that finger and nibbling on the way to the ER, I'd save the milk for after. You'll need it to aid in healing!!

I'd been told to just pack the severed member in ice, or a cold, moist towel.
 
In real life you will most likey pass out. Try not to.
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THAT was one of the most useful and funniest things I've read in days.


RW, I have now added this to my sig line for awhile. I hope you don't mind. Even if you do, I'm keeping it and I eventually plan to take credit for it. :D
 
Originally posted by Kalindras
Unless you're dunking that finger and nibbling on the way to the ER, I'd save the milk for after.
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This is the bit that made me laugh. :D
 
chang made bastid status?

CONGRATS,BASTID!
(guess im slow or something,how long has he been one?)
 
Suck it up, princess!

Audra Draper cut herself up bad on a knife she was making for her smith (I'm not sure which one) rating. I think the story goes that after she stopped swearing, she went the 5 miles to the doc, got it fixed up, and went right back to the shop. And now she's a Master Smith! Chang, sew it back on and get back to the grinding. :)

Mo: go away!
 
Wow, you're right. I did finally earn my bastid status! I'm a 9 fingered, respirator and faceshield wearin' bastid now. :D
 
Wrap the severed member in a towel, and put in a plastic bag with some ice. Don't let the ice directly contact the severed member, or it may freeze. If the affected part freezes, you can forget re-attachment.

Keep direct pressure on the stump, and you may need to use the radial pressure point to control the bleeding.

As Mr.Clark stated, you'll most likely pass out. Try not to. :)
 
Wrap the amputated part in saline soaked (if possible) guaze or towels sealed in a plastic bag. Put the bag in a ice water slurry but as CODE 3 states do not let it freeze. Go to the ED as quickly as possible. The maximum ischemia time a severed part can usually handle is 6-8 hours. Even at big tertiary care centers and medical schools it can take a while to find a surgeon and get OR time so don't dilly dally. You are unlikely to pass out. Hold pressure to stop the bleeding.

Actually replantation is not as successful as you see on TV. Most industrial accidents and power tools shred and mangle the tissue and that lowers the success rate. Clean guillotine like wounds (ie chopped with a knife) are more likely to be successfully replanted. Don't be shocked if the surgeon suggests a reduction amputation to simply close the wound. The morbidity and complications of many replantations outweigh the functional benefit gained from sewing the part back on (some replanted parts are painful, stiff, and useless and people end up having them cut off). Talk with your doctor and get their opinion. Most hand surgeons I have met tend to be very meticulous in nature but straight shooters.
 
Originally posted by bandaidman
(some replanted parts are painful, stiff, and useless and people end up having them cut off).
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Lets just hope that you are so lucky that is only a finger or a toe that is severed!!!

C Wilkins
 
Also elevate the hand.

One thing you dont't ever want to do though, is never - I REPEAT, NEVER - go to a major knife show with your hand bandaged.

A few years ago my weary old grinder broke just as I was changing a belt. It's spring loaded, and when it let loose it sheared a sizeable piece off the palm of my left hand. Hurt like h*ll! But it didn't hurt nearly as much as the continuous ribbing and abuse I took from my "friends" and fellow knifemakers and most others for three whole days at the Blade Show two weeks later. Next time I will bleed to death before I go through that again.

And then there's that awkward moment in the ER when the doc asks you how you did that. You tell him, and that you're a professional knifemaker. He pauses, looking at you in a manner that clearly says, "have you ever considered another line of work?" That's of course after he notices that your tetanus shot is still current from the last time you were in the ER.

You'll also get a few curious stares from passing motorists as you're driving along with a bloody towel held up next to the window.

Funny how these things are so clearly imprinted in your memory... :)
 
Well as far as other parts go toes are seldom reattached. More proximal amputations are actually quite rare and the outcome is dependent on the type of injury.

As far as amputations of the "neveregions" go, if reattached they HARDLY ever get stiff! You also got to be wondering what you were doing in the shop in the first place to suffer that injury!!!!!!
 
Originally posted by bandaidman
As far as amputations of the "neveregions" go, if reattached they HARDLY ever get stiff! You also got to be wondering what you were doing in the shop in the first place to suffer that injury!!!!!!
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Dammit! :mad: How did you find out about my injury? :confused: I couldn't find my push stick so I made a quick substitution... :o

:D :D :D
 
I used to work with a guy who had lost his thumb in a machine of some sort. They eventually cut off his big toe and sowed it on in place of the thumb. It was bizarre but at least he had a partially functioning thumb again. The best part was, he used to hitchhike to work! :D
 
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