getting cut, while playing mechanic

[bob]

I got stupid yesterday and started really leaning on a cheap ratchet wrench and socket and it busted,or shattered, which resulted in my taking a trip to the doctor to get 6 stitches in my arm, where I as a result, and instantly, and with significant force ran my arm over an exposed sharp bit of sheet metal that all manufactures thoughtfully include in all engine compartment designs just for that purpose.
after I had covered the cut (which bled rather well but didn,t cut anything really vital according to the emergency room tech) with the mandatory shop rag and taped it in place with electrical tape, I went to the local clinic which is a good deal closer to my house than the local hospital, but after looking over the waiting room... I just drove the extra 4 miles to the local hospital, ..after the receptionist seeing the blood soaked rag , and having my wife fill out the required paper work, they got me into a doctor fairly fast and Ill be just fine in a few weeks
.(most likely I,ll get one more scar, as a reminder to never force a cheap imported socket, on a 3/8" drive ratchet as a bonus)
after I got back i called grumpy, who said that theres a lot of silly stuff going on, his back had "gone out" while he was helping supervise a minor repair on a corvette in his shop and he had instantly fallen backwards on the floor and fileted off ,a silver dollar sized flap of arm skin on some sharp edged part of the lift he was leaning on at the time, but he just wrapped it in paper towels and then bandaged it a bit later after cleaning it with peroxide and neo-sporin, anti-septic and clean bandages.
so theres now two old guys with minor scars in the process of forming.

 

[grumpyvette]

its almost un-avoidable , your going to eventually get minor cuts, burns and bruises while working around any cars and tools , if you spend enough time doing that type of work, simply because the combinations of ways to creatively get hurt are truly endless, but that doesn,t mean we should not try to improve the odds and reduce the chances by both using quality tools , and safety equipment and a large dose of common sense.

I hope your cut heals faster than this little P.I.T.A, skin slice seems to be doing....bathing the area in a mild anti-septic like hydrogen peroxide and beta-dine solution or iodine mixed with peroxide, or after its surface is starting to heal, peroxide,beta-dine and alcohol, fairly frequently during the day tends to reduce the potential for infection, obviously if its a serious cut , or if it gets infected, see a doctor.
thinking thru the potential results of ALL your actions and having a friend help, can go a long way toward reducing accidents
Id suggest a first aid kit and a couple fire extinguishers and at least a cell phone or regular land line phone be mandatory components in every shop, and I can,t imaging working under a car unless its got at lease BOTH a couple jack stands and a floor jack supporting it , and possibly ramps under the wheels.
when I got sliced "as mentioned by BOB", last week I had a first aid kit , in my shop ,but I get minor cuts so often , its just an almost weekly occurrence, the wife has gotten to the point, if I don,t start the conversation with "its emergency room time again" she just lets it slide.

having a couple liters of clean distilled water for flushing EYES and an assortment of bandages and tape and antiseptics, like PEROXIDE and BETA-DINE, for cuts and ready access to a phone in any emergency , plus taking your time and thinking things thru helps
btw SUPER GLUE can be used on minor cuts to stop bleeding

related
viewtopic.php?f=27&t=26

viewtopic.php?f=27&t=81


http://www.osha-safety-training.net/fir ... -kits.html

http://www.thefirstaidkits.com/products/53437.html


By Mayo Clinic staff

Minor cuts and scrapes usually don't require a trip to the emergency room. Yet proper care is essential to avoid infection or other complications. These guidelines can help you care for simple wounds:

Stop the bleeding. Minor cuts and scrapes usually stop bleeding on their own. If they don't, apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or bandage. Hold the pressure continuously for 20 to 30 minutes and if possible elevate the wound. Don't keep checking to see if the bleeding has stopped because this may damage or dislodge the clot that's forming and cause bleeding to resume. If blood spurts or continues flowing after continuous pressure, seek medical assistance.
Clean the wound. Rinse out the wound with clear water. Soap can irritate the wound, so try to keep it out of the actual wound. If dirt or debris remains in the wound after washing, use tweezers cleaned with alcohol to remove the particles. If debris still remains, see your doctor. Thorough cleaning reduces the risk of infection and tetanus. To clean the area around the wound, use soap and a washcloth. There's no need to use hydrogen peroxide, iodine or an iodine-containing cleanser.
Apply an antibiotic. After you clean the wound, apply a thin layer of an antibiotic cream or ointment such as Neosporin or Polysporin to help keep the surface moist. The products don't make the wound heal faster, but they can discourage infection and help your body's natural healing process. Certain ingredients in some ointments can cause a mild rash in some people. If a rash appears, stop using the ointment.
Cover the wound. Bandages can help keep the wound clean and keep harmful bacteria out. After the wound has healed enough to make infection unlikely, exposure to the air will speed wound healing.
Change the dressing. Change the dressing at least daily or whenever it becomes wet or dirty. If you're allergic to the adhesive used in most bandages, switch to adhesive-free dressings or sterile gauze held in place with paper tape, gauze roll or a loosely applied elastic bandage. These supplies generally are available at pharmacies.
Get stitches for deep wounds. A wound that is more than 1/4-inch (6 millimeters) deep or is gaping or jagged edged and has fat or muscle protruding usually requires stitches. Adhesive strips or butterfly tape may hold a minor cut together, but if you can't easily close the wound, see your doctor as soon as possible. Proper closure within a few hours reduces the risk of infection.
Watch for signs of infection. See your doctor if the wound isn't healing or you notice any redness, increasing pain, drainage, warmth or swelling.
Get a tetanus shot. Doctors recommend you get a tetanus shot every 10 years. If your wound is deep or dirty and your last shot was more than five years ago, your doctor may recommend a tetanus shot booster. Get the booster as soon as possible after the injury.


http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/530793

 

[grumpyvette]

anyone who uses tools eventually screws up and pinches a finger or gets cut or worse, today I stupidly hit a finger nail on a sharp edge of a saw blade, stored in the tool drawer, the damage was not much more than a minor paper cut, a couple drops of blood, and a band aid type deal, but naturally its a bit tender and I seem to be prone to annoying the cut by banging it into damn near everything