PitbullMidwest
Platinum Member
This last saturday, a friend suffered a serious accident while moving a grain auger. The auger was being cranked down to move to another bin when the winch handle slipped from his hand. The handle rotated at least once and struck his upper arm, severing the tendons, arteries and removing a chuck of flesh the doctors said was the size of a 6 oz steak. His son called 911, applied a torniquette and direct pressure. After having surgery, he is able to move his fingers and they are hopeful that he will regain most use of his hand.
What went wrong? It appears that the sleave on the winch handle (the part that allows the handle to rotate in your hand as it is turned) broke off several years ago and he never took time to repair it. The end washer was never removed either and the doctors said that it was the washer that gouged out the flesh and cut everything, had the sleave been on the handle they think he would have suffered a broken arm at most.
What went right?
1) He wasn't working alone. He would have surely blead to death had he been.
2) His son works for an Ag service and had received first aid training.
I think we can all learn from this terrible accident. Repair and maintain equipment even if we "don't have the time", never work alone, and if you must, be sure someone knows where you are and you are able to contact them in an emergancy and be prepared by staying current on first aid training.
One last thing. His 10 year old granddaughter was standing near him when this happened and saw everything. She puts on a brave face, but broke down in tears at Sunday School and spent the whole time sobbing with my wife and pastor's wife. Remember Allysin in your prayers.
What went wrong? It appears that the sleave on the winch handle (the part that allows the handle to rotate in your hand as it is turned) broke off several years ago and he never took time to repair it. The end washer was never removed either and the doctors said that it was the washer that gouged out the flesh and cut everything, had the sleave been on the handle they think he would have suffered a broken arm at most.
What went right?
1) He wasn't working alone. He would have surely blead to death had he been.
2) His son works for an Ag service and had received first aid training.
I think we can all learn from this terrible accident. Repair and maintain equipment even if we "don't have the time", never work alone, and if you must, be sure someone knows where you are and you are able to contact them in an emergancy and be prepared by staying current on first aid training.
One last thing. His 10 year old granddaughter was standing near him when this happened and saw everything. She puts on a brave face, but broke down in tears at Sunday School and spent the whole time sobbing with my wife and pastor's wife. Remember Allysin in your prayers.
