power washer cut

[LarryW]

Yesterday I was power washing with that power washer I said would probably cut a 2x4 in half with the zero degree nozzle. The one I have been using for taking paint of the trainer. It also takes it off the other 2 abs bodied machines I have here so its cool. Well anyways I was trying to touch up on some red spots that are stubborn on my trianer. I was using one nozzle down from the zero degree which is 15. I some how or another got my finger in the way. I think its one of those things where if you us something enough you forget how dangerous it really is. It pumped my left index finger up with water and flushed all the blood out. Swelled up instantly. Instantly numb. Freaked me out because I know air pressure can kill if entered the blood so I instantly squeezed my finger trying to cut blood flow. Went in house. Went back out to turn washer off. Went back in and got wife and found out the water in blood thing isnt that bad or I would have been dead by now or something. Anyways, the cut being white and engorged with water was strange white hamburger looking. 1/2hr later the finger was getting really tingly like when your arm or leg falls a sleep. We went to Liz's work where one of her doctor friends was on call and he looked at it and said worse thing is if some dirty tissue or dirt got in, it could get infected so I got an antibiotic. Today swelling is down still but not right. Keeps throbbing and still hurts. Just wanted to say be careful of the every day dangers you forget about. I was lucky to get the reminder without loosing my finger.

BTW, I asked doc about the blood stream thing and he said large amounts of air will clot your blood in the lungs. I assume when you get a cut, exposed to air it clots. Well I guess it would happen inside your body if you have the air in your veins. He did say it would take a lot of air.

Blurry pic is 1/2hr after it happen. Clear one is today.

[lewis]

Glad you are OK Larry.

[amphibious drew]

Don't feel like your the only one Larry. I've cut my toes several times powerwashing decks. Yes several times in different locations. You would think I would learn not to pressure wash bare footed, but nope. Safety should be first, but men like us live on the edge lol.

[jerseybigfoot]

Glad you were only using a home style power washer and not a 20,000 psi commercial rig. Those guys wear stuff called Turtle armor to protect their arms and toes. just wear gloves and leather shoes and you should be OK. Glad your OK.

[plott hound]

man i did that with what i though was a crappy electric power washer.accidently passed my finger through water stream while washing my rincon.boy did it rip my finger open.

[racerone3]

about 10 years ago, one of my former bosses nearly lost his left foot to a pressure washer. it was a 3500 psi and he was using a 0 degree tip. hit the top of his foot (wearing flip-flops). it was a nasty cut and he was using pumped lake water. the resulting infection was nasty!

[Roger S]

I wash my hands and feet all the time with a 2500 pressure washer.. you can guess I keep the wand 2-3 feet away when I do it.

[Jeff t-boss]

That sucks; my fingers are normally that swollen without being injected with water. (Medical term is "Cronic Clubbing") Anyway, I understand where you all are coming from. I used to work alot with hydraulics, and I remember watching training films where they would cut a cooked steak with hydraulic fluid to demonstrate the danger of the pressure behind it. Was lucky enough to never experience an injury or see one happen.