Let me preface this by saying that while I was doing my grad student teaching during summer school a couple of weeks ago, I gave a lesson about the safe use of kitchen knives to a class of 11 year olds. I stressed the importance of being smart with the knives and thinking about, "if this knife slips, what part of my body might get cut?"

This is why I'm an idiot:

This morning I decided to cut down a small tree that was growing right next to the gas meter at our house. About ten feet tall and 2-3 inches in diameter.

First I started using the wire saw that came in the Pro Force tin kit I got a couple of years ago. I'd never used one and thought it'd be good to test out. The wires got clogged and one of the split rings actually bent...from my fingers no less!

So I decide to get out the new Gerber camping saw...a small folding pruning saw designed to cut small fuel at a camp site. And let me tell you, did it work beautifully!

Then I decide to begin cutting the tree into fire bowl size pieces so they'd be ready to go when they dry out. My children were playing in our yard and with the neighbor's grandkids who were visiting. We were getting ready to run some errands, but I figured I had a few minutes to start sizing down the tree.

I had cut several pieces when I came to a branch about 3/4 of an inch thick. Now mind you, I'm sitting on the ground, cross legged while I'm doing this cutting...

I get to the point where I'm almost through the branch, and since it was just cut down, it's fairly wet and a little hard to get through the bark. Just as I get through the bark, the saw keeps going and right through my leg just above the knee.

I was a bit shocked of course and was surprised that blood wasn't gushing out of it. Then I noticed that the cut was deeper than any cut I've ever had before. I walked into the house and said to my wife who was on the phone, "You'll have to go get the kids...I cut myself". I think she mumbled something with the word "stupid" in it on her way out the door.

Then I go to the first aid supplies...geez, in the house nothing but band aids. What did I do with those gauze pads? By that time there was a trickle of blood down past my knee. I ran and grabbed a paper towel...any port in a storm I guess.

When my wife came back I asked her to get the FAK out of the family car because I knew there was gauze pads in there. My oldest got the bottle of foaming "no hurt" antiseptic and I shot some into the wound.

"No hurt" my *ss! Man did it sting!

Put compression on it with the gauze pads, but there was nary a spot of blood by that time.

Off to the urgent care center. Four stitches and no martial arts or waterpark for at least ten days <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> (season pass for the waterpark)

Plus the old tetanus shot. I learned that once someone develops tetanus, there's no treatment...didn't know that.

I also learned that Gerber makes darn fine tools and that attention to details (such as where could this blade go if it slips) are important.

After today my wife didn't want to talk about getting a chain saw for sizing down bigger trees <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Hope you will be alright. It seems to work out that right after a safety lecture you do something that hurts you.

It seems to work out that right after a safety lecture you do something that hurts you

Funny, but, that's what we observe with the new boys in the Troop. Usually within minutes of being given their toten chip (license to carry a pocket knife for Scouts), they cut a finger. My son was no different. Good news is, they tend to be minor, and then they are a little smarter.

Well, it sounds like it will mend if you follow directions. At least you were using a saw- I usually use a machete to limb trees. :P

Dont feel to bad, I was sharping a knife while sitting in my chair (my 9year old daughter told me I was to do it at the table) and put an almost 2 inch gash in my leg. And like your wife mine was quick to have pitty. ( shook her head and told my to stop bleading on the floor)
Thank god for rubbibg alcohol and duct tape, but on the bright side I have a neet new scar to show off.

What is the time period for the tetanus booster? Is it every 10 years? I'm sure I'm overdue regardless....

My daughter just got her tetanus shot as part of her 5th grade physical. The doctor told us that they used to recommend 10 years between tetanus shots, but that they are now recommending something like 6-7 years between shots.

Of course your doctor's advice may vary.

Current CDC recomendations here:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/vaccine/tetanus/default.htm

Well, when you wood carve alot, nicks and cuts are inevitable. I had to learn to slow down while whittling. So if someone sees me without a scar or two, they state I haven't been whittling much lately. I've had some real nice slices on myself too. Some of the worst came when closing folding knives and not paying attention. Carelessness is the ONLY reason I have been cut. 2 months ago I cut my thumb showing all of the gadgets on a Wenger SAK to someone. Had it stitched -- REAL stupid on my part. Of course I gave the Wenger away to a brother who likes it, I hate non-locking folders as I've said before. It was new, got it for $1 at yard sale -- it retailed for $27, I think.

Ors,

Sorry about your injury!

I am a big fan of the Gerber Sportsman's Saw. I was cutting some limbs off of a tree that hangs over our brick wall and it worked wonderfully! I keep it in my PSK/BOB/CamelBak. It has the sliding blade. The only issue I have had is that if you do not tighten the blade knob enough the blade will push in as you are sawing.

Glad to hear it wasn't too serious. I don't know anyone who hasn't managed to accidentally cut themselves, unless they just never use a cutting tool. All it takes is a split instant of inattention or carelessness, and nobody can be on 100% of the time. BTDT, more times than I care to recall. Saws are definitely safer than an hatchet or an axe, but...

From a project I am working on: "If it can cut, it can cut you"
(c) Doug Ritter 2005

Ors,

We all make mistakes like this, or very similar. I almost lost a finger while chopping wood with an axe.

The main thing is that you are okay. Now you have a show and tell to "prove a point!" Not recommended to do this again though.

Did you remember to restock the home FAK?

Stargazer

Last tetanus shot i had the doctor said 10 years for most people was fine. He did recommend that if you are engaging in high risk behavior, lots of outdoor activities, working in construction, and the like that it will do no harm to get one every 5 years.

The doctor I saw said that if you break a glass in your kitchen and cut yourself, that would be a 10 year booster shot...I never would have thought about that. I always thought of cutting yourself on rusty metal as a reason to get a tetanus booster. In fact I told him, "I know it wasn't a rusty saw, it's brand new." I think I was trying to get by without the shot, but at that point I'd already been stuck several times with the lidocaine and had the stitches, so what's one more stick?

Anyhow, that's when he told me about "for outdoor things, the booster is 5 years". He also told me that everything that grows in this state is considered to be a possible source of tetanus. Since I had wee bits of bark in the wound... <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

When my wife was driving me to get stitches, she said, "What's the big deal, it's just a scratch." That scratch went through the subcutaneuous layer!

But I think I'm a little smarter now.

I did cut myself carving once...similar situation too...knife slipped and my fingers were in the path...hmm...maybe I'm not that much smarter! <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
I got my index finger and thumb in one slice that time. Not deep, but enough to hurt for several days. I was in the middle of my music therapy internship at the time, playing guitar everyday and of course I managed to slice my fret hand. Nu-Skin was a friend that week!

I felt like Tim Allen from Home Improvement yesterday, but I think I got lucky. No permenant damage, and a bit of wisdom earned.

But I'll be extra mindful when using the Becker Brute that's on my wish list! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Ors,

Glad to hear that you are OK. We've all done something like this to ourselves, so you certainly aren't the first. Besides, it keeps your wife happy for a few days because she has a new reason to say "I told you so..." <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Seriously, it's good that you are practicing techniques instead of just buying gear and letting it sit while waiting for an emergency. You've just learned a method on how not to do something. It would have been more serious had it been during a real recovery from a disaster.

Hopefully, no one caught it on videotape. <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Last year my elderly father slipped and cut his forehead. The Doctor asked when he got his last Tetanus shot. Dad answered "I don't know". The doctor then said "Today". I got my last one in 2000, after I injured myself while operating a "rotary device of meyhem and destruction" (also known as a lawn mower). I still have all the toes on my right foot and they're the right lengths, they just don't necessarily bend the same any more. And yes, I no longer wear sneakers when mowing the yard, I wear boots.

JimJr

If you've cut yourself and you think you might be overdue on a tetanus booster, my doctor said you have to get it within 3 days of the injury.

Sue

Looks like I'd better get all my boosters on my next checkup. <img src="/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

Ah yes the old 'Finger carving merit badge'....I've earned that one too.

Well, if it makes you feel better, I'll share an "idiot" story with you too.

It was a while ago, but I was working in a theater, and out over the seats, some of the house lights were out. So I hauled out a scaffold and it says on every single piece "USE ONLY ON LEVEL SURFACES" But the floor is only slightly sloped, and I figure it's jsut me going up...

It takes only a moment to notice that you're about to fall 37 feet 6 inches.
It also takes only a moment to realize that you're about to land across a row of permanently attached theater seats, and that once you do land, 300 pounds of scaffolding will finish falling on top of you.
The actual falling part is full of "should I hold on or let go?" thoughts, and it takes a surprisingly long time for the whole of the assembly to fall.

I healed.
It hurt tho.

Your knife is not YOUR knife untill it taste's you blood. Don't worry about the little sod's... ah hem, sorry... dears, cutting themselves. It's just them and their knives getting aqqantied with each other. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Yes, but the little sods I work with are visually impaired. While they are getting acquainted with their knife, they could be parting company with a digit, or vital tendon...permenantly.

I used that camp saw to cut down two obstructive branches today, and I'm happy to report...no lacerations!

Maybe I did learn something. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Sir; No your not an idiot. It seems any time people spend alot of time around sharp things, they get too comfortable and S--t happens. Be glad you were home, and not in a wilderness situation. If I may, may I suggest, just as in the tactical community, that you get a blow out kit/ trauma kit and the knowlege to use it and make it part of your EDC? No matter how carefull we are, Murphy lives and the best we can hope for is to try to limit his oppertunities to make an apperance. Re Tetanus; every 10 yrs. after 5 if contaminated wound. Bacilis Tetani: comon anaerobic ( grows best in the absence of oxygen ) bacteria that if its introduced into a wound and it colonizes gives off a toxin that causes sustained cantraction of the skeletal muscles (hence its nick name " lock-jaw" ) and I think its also cardio toxic. Nasty stuff in any event. Glad your OK Jim