My arm has been in bandages from beyond my fingers to just short of my elbow for four weeks. All because I was in a hurry and could not take the time to install the handles on my 1 3/4 hp Porta-Cable router while I made just one cut. Alright, I had a 3/4 diameter pattern bit in it. Alright, I was doing a climb cut (just cleaning it up).
When the router jumped it cut my left hand from the base of my thumb towards my elbow about six inches. If the router had came down across my wrist I would have lost my hand. Thank God it did not, I only lost flesh and will regain 100% of motion and control.
It only took 12 hours to get it fixed. First to the emergency room where they controlled the bleeding and went looking for a hand surgeon. Then to a different hospital where a hand surgeon was the trauma surgeon for the day (real lucky on my part).
I am probably four more weeks away from starting therapy (physical)
Ya know, if I spent the extra 15 minutes setting up my router table this story would never of happened.
If you are right handed, and cannot use your left hand at all (suddenly) simple tasks (toothpaste, toilet paper, tying your shoes, etc.) become real challenging.
There are many people with much more serious problems but I could have prevented this one completely.
Ed