Gotcha!

[Chris Muthig]

Jim B, it's not the fall that hurts/kills ya, it's the sudden stop at the end.  Remember, you can skydive without a parachute, but only once.

[Riley Smith]

One of the problems is that MY boundary of sketchy and everyone ELSE'S is vastly different! You get that when you play with fire in a gasoline plant!!!    

Usually my better sense will catch up to my drive BEFORE something stupid happens. It didn't this time and I will claim distraction as the major cause, because I wasn't cutting wood with a saw that can maim; I was building a rafter piece and those are totally different things in the real world. At any rate, the hand is doing relatively well and I'm thankful for it, and for the good wishes.

 
And so yes, I screwed up in the worst way. And brought to YOUR attention that it might be good to assess a little better to keep from being like ME!!!
 

[Frank B.]

Ditto on previous comments!

As I get older, the table saw, chain saw, and even ladders become a bit more "intimidating". I even find that I am becoming slightly less confident driving - so much to look out for in the highway.

Here I am 7 years ago:

You cannot view this attachment.

Yes sir, that was me about seven years ago also.  Repairing and painting the gable ends of my two story house that were ravaged from squirrel damage.  Now I'm patiently waiting for the painter (well not really patiently) who promises much and so far has delivered little. Guess I'll call him again today.  He has done work for me before, does good work when, of course, he finally shows up. But no more high ladder work for me. 

[Jim B., CD-25]

Jim B, it's not the fall that hurts/kills ya, it's the sudden stop at the end.  Remember, you can skydive without a parachute, but only once.

As you get older, statistics show that when you do fall, you tend to "lead with your head," thus the injury statistics.  Seems that younger people can get their hands out in time, so they tend to break arms and wrists rather than their head.  Yeah, we are all subject to the Laws of Gravity... it's always about that impact.

Slicing soft bits with power tools can happen at any age, but especially so with distractions.  You may have heard "with age comes wisdom"... experience may make you more aware of the potential dangers, but it only takes that moment.

Thanks, Riley, for reminding us.  Heal fast and full, my friend.

[Après Vous II]

I was always lucky/careful and never had an injury serious enough to require stitches -- until I took up model airplanes at about 65, I had an electric powered aircraft on the stand, prepping for flight and had turned to get something, when it suddenly went to full throttle. I spun and grabbed for it to prevent it crashing into someone else on the prep line. Unfortunately,I have forgotten which way the plane was pointed, and grabbed the prop rather than the tail feathers. 17 stitches, quite a bit of superglue, and about a half inch layer of gauze and bandage, and I left the clinic with a white club rather than a useful dominant hand. I took pictures during the treatment and later published an article in the club newsletter as a warning to other members.

It's not only power tools that can bite.

[Riley Smith]

Another pilot! Seems a lot of us like aviation also    Which also reminds me of my bud that was in 'Nam who said one of the LTs walked right into a tail rotor on a Huey. You can get got really quick!