From: Judo point
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Date: 16-Mar-09 |
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Well were do I start? I know better and even Mr. Ron Laclair warned me but I still started unstringing my old recurve with the push pull method. I mean it was a light poundage (30 to 40lbs) and I was always careful to pull straight back as to not twist the limbs. I've always used a stringer on my heavier bows but started geting lazy on the lower weight ones. Anyway tonight I was going to unbrace my bow and I still had my tab on and it was against my palm making a nice slippery surface to slip off the bow and almost took my I out.I'm really lucky that I did'nt loose my eye it was a direct hit to the eyelid and eyeball didn't hit any bone. I fell to the floor and the first thing my left eye saw was a bow stringer under me on the floor. I thought my exploded and I could feel fluid in my hands but luckly it was only blood. At first I couldn't see but a pin hole out of that eye but after awhile it has come around and I think I'll have full vision again but I can't really open it now to tell. Well I'll quit rambling on I just thought everyone could use a good reminder. 10 stitches and real lucky I still have an eye. Oh and the Bows ok! case I scared anyone. lol
Oh and I probably won't be on tonight to read the replys so try and keep it toward the top for awile so everyone can see. The pic was taking within an hour of the accedent so it hasn't even begun to do what its going to do.
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From: Stu Miller
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Date: 16-Mar-09 |
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Mike...OUCH!!!
I am glad to hear that you are, or more correctly, WILL be ok. A good reminder to all for sure! -Stu
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From: DelSnavely
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Date: 16-Mar-09 |
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Judo, I wanted to learn how to string and unstring my bow like that. Now I think I'll just buy another stringer and put it in my pack. Thanks for the heads up!!!
I'm glad you'll be ok and I hope you heal quickly!
DS
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From: BowHuntingFool
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Date: 16-Mar-09 |
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OUCH, glad you going to be alright in a few weeks!
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From: sdped2
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Date: 16-Mar-09 |
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OMG!!!!! I got to get me a new stringer, what's the type that holds onto the bow down from the tips? I can't seem to keep mine from slipping down over the string nock and I have to keep it towards the end of the tip and it always make me nervous. Now I see why!!! That's going to be one nice shiner!!!
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From: pointy sticks
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Date: 17-Mar-09 |
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Man oh man I sure hope everything turns out good. I can tell just by looking how much that hurts.
Sheldon
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From: carl
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Date: 17-Mar-09 |
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ttt
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From: Sea horse
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Date: 17-Mar-09 |
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Thank you for the reminder! Just goes to show how things can go wrong in the blink of an,... uh, real fast! Heal quickly, and well.
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From: HeadHunter®........
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Date: 17-Mar-09 |
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Now, for real, How Big Was That Lady you were flirting with?
I always carry 2 stringers with me....a extra in my pack! Now You Know! Many here will still say you don't need one though! I have too many broken bows thru the years NOT to use on!
It sure looks like it hurts! Rest your eye and take it easy now. Don't do any more damage to it as it's healing. I use a stringer on ALL my stick bows! It's a good HABIT to get into!
I wish you well Mike and a speedy recovery to 100%!
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From: scot carpenter
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Date: 17-Mar-09 |
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glad ur going to be ok looks like it really hurt......
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From: Bowinkle
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Date: 17-Mar-09 |
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Boy I'm glad the bow is ok! Send it to me I have a stringer. 8^)
Seriously! I hope you have a quick & complete recovery.
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From: GreenFletch
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Date: 17-Mar-09 |
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Stringers are cheap and if I remember right there was a thread on here on how to make one. Ken
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From: razorhunter
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Date: 17-Mar-09 |
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WOW!!!!!!!
I hope you get better soon,man.
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From: Sparta-T on laptop
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Date: 17-Mar-09 |
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Very sorry to hear of your mishap, Judo point. For those who think a stringer is for sissies or too expensive, your photo serves as stark evidence to the opposite. Compare the cost of a $10 bow stringer to a visit to the ER and potentially losing an eye.............yikes!
TL
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From: spider1
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Date: 17-Mar-09 |
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OOOOOOOUCH!
Dang it, that looks like it hurt! Ya got lucky. I hope you heal quick and complete.
I use the push/pull on light weight longbows, but never on a recurve or heavy longbows. Stringers are faster and easier, not to mention much safer.
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From: Peter fm: Manassas
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Date: 17-Mar-09 |
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John Shulz's brother lost an eye unstringing a longbow. I never forget that and when I show someone how to do the putsh-pull I always make sure they not only keep their face out of the way but that they know why they are doing it.
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From: charlie
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Date: 17-Mar-09 |
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What you complaining about? you've got a spare!!
Seriously though I hope it heals well and fast. Eyes are tougher than we think often and there is good blood supply there so it should be fine.
Ive seen your shooting its amazing. Good luck.
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From: GBTG
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Date: 17-Mar-09 |
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Thankful you'll be OK
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From: LPN
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Date: 17-Mar-09 |
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glad you're alright,,looks painful,,,,,,,,,,,
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From: johnnyrazorhead
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Date: 17-Mar-09 |
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Judo point-I had the same thing happen to me a few years ago.I was unstringing a 1970 Bear wood A-handle after a round of shooting.I got the string off of the upper limb tip on the 55# limbs and the limb slipped off the side of my palm and hit me in the eye.It happened so fast I didn't really know what happened.I put my hand up to my eye and saw that I had blood on it and went into the bathroom.When I removed my hand it looked like my eye was gone.Much swelling,blood coming from my eye and nose.Put a rag on it and off to the hospital. After many visits to an eye institute(the hospital wouldn't touch it)and several lost work days I was able to get on with my life.I did hit my eyeball with the tip and did some serious damage.Fractured my orbital(eye socket)and to this day have problems with my eye that I never did before.I am very fortunate to not have lost my eye completely.I will never string or unstring a bow with the push-pull method again and I tell anyone else that does that they should use a stringer.I have meant to post pictures on here before but had trouble doing so but this thread is reason enough to show what can happen in an instant.Use a stringer,it's not worth the chance of losing an eye.I hope my pics work,if not I will work on posting them.Should help anyone not sure if they should use a stringer or not.
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From: 4FINGER
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Date: 17-Mar-09 |
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Oh man! That's gotta get your attention, Hope you heal well and you'd better be heading to Vegas...Your a lucky Man...4finger
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From: Redbow
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Date: 17-Mar-09 |
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Hey Tradlongbow this post is for you! lol.
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From: George D. Stout
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Date: 17-Mar-09 |
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The problem isn't in the way you string/unstring, it's in paying attention while you do it, and turning your head away while in the process. The limb is simply pushed to your side and you keep your head under the tip and away from the line of reaction. If it does slip, the worst that can happen is a slap to the shoulder or upper arm. It is very safe if you do your part correctly. Years ago, it just took one whack to the forehead for me to understand the imporance of angles in archery. You don't need to "see" the string go into the nock, you feel it in with your thumb/fingers. I still use push/pull but am always ultra attentive to the process.
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From: chrism
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Date: 17-Mar-09 |
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Careful with that eye man I took a shot like that (not a bow) when I was a teen and it filled with some blood internally and the doctors told me if I haddned come in that when the blood started coagulating against the iris that It would have torn it causesing serious damage. In short GO TO THE DOCOTOR ASAP!!
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From: Wild Bill
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Date: 17-Mar-09 |
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Convinced me. Was thinking about trying it without a stringer, which, by the way, I have used religously since 1970. Now I'll just buy another for my fanny pack and be done with it.
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From: Judo point
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Date: 17-Mar-09 |
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Well thanks for all the get well wishes I apreciate it. And I for one am going to get a rubber limb gripper style stringer because the tip goes to deep in my other stringers and is why I was using that method. And if this thread helps even one person from having this happen to them then it was worth showing my stupidity. I also don't beleave this method is safe regardless of how you do it because when your hand slips your body moves and depending on the length of the bow and alot of other variables can result in a head shot and the worst that can happen is a serious injury. I guess I'm just saying I think the safest method would be a stringer and you can never be to safe. If I would have read this post from someone else I probably wouldn't have changed a thing cause I'm the kinda guy that thinks I can do anything and nothing bad will happen to me but I keep proving myself wrong. lol And Headhunter I promise this time it was the bow. lol
Charlie I'm complaining because I just tryed shooting with my spare and I keep hitting high left. lol at least now I know were those occasional high lefts are coming from I think my contacts blur a little and my left eye takes over at least thats what i'm going to blame it on. well thanks again guys and be safe! ~Judo
Yeah I'm winkin atch yas!
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From: Doug SC
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Date: 17-Mar-09 |
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Like George said if you do use push pull turn your head away and don't look at it. I have even seen a stringer let go so be very careful. Over the years many eyes have been lost, and those pictures make me hurt just looking at them. Pay attention when it counts.
I had a bow break when I drew it the other day helping a friend tiller it. It has made me want to wear a helmet with a face shield when working on a bow! My knuckles took a direct hit so in this case padded gloves were in order. There is a lot of energy stored in a bow limb.
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From: traditionalman
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Date: 17-Mar-09 |
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I had a 70 pound Fedora Longbow hit me in the nose and trew my glases off my face and I used a stringer. I have found out that I have to have three different stringers to fit most of the bows out there.
The upper cup of the stringer came off as the top tip was so small only a widow stringer would work on it. Reguardless of useing a string or not becareful as it cn happen either way.
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From: jipp
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Date: 17-Mar-09 |
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ouch. get well soon. i had to have a custom stringer made for my own bow. just cause i have a bad leg i could not even string that way if i wanted.. man, i can handle gore with anything else.. but the eye just makes me cringe.
chris.
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From: Zog
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Date: 17-Mar-09 |
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While you're on the subject . . .
I know almost nobody wears eye protection while shooting, but i have a cousin who lost an eye to a broken arrow while shooting. The rear half spun around and cut directly across his eye. It was nowhere near as violent as these guys being slapped with a limb, but the broken slashed across his eyeball and no more eye.
It completely ruined his athletics, not having depth perception. Plus now he has no spare.
It's easy for me to remember when outside - I wear sunglasses. Inside - I have to be reminded sometimes.
It doesn't come natural to think of eye protection when shooting because all the energy seems like it is going away from your face. But all that stored energy is completely unpredictable when something busts!
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From: Zog
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Date: 17-Mar-09 |
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And thank you for the reminder. About the only good you can get from an accident is a wake up call for the rest of us!
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From: Soldier II
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Date: 17-Mar-09 |
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I just finished a hickory bamboo backed long bow for my step father. I told him never string the bow without the stinger. Whats the first thing he does? Attempts to string the bow through his legs. He twisted the upper limb and cracked the new bows backing. What a waste, I spent a month building it for him. LOL
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From: Centershot
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Date: 17-Mar-09 |
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Thank you for the reminder. Hope it heals fully and quickly.
Been using a stringer for years but recently have found myself getting a little lazy and using the push-pull routine (with a stringer laying 3’ away...).
Easy to justify, being doing it that way since I was a kid, never happen to me, yada, yada.
Only takes one time though, back to the stringer for me.
I’ll show this to my daughter as well who I just taught to string her bow this past weekend using the push-pull method, including associated safety aspects. Tonight I’ll show her this thread, give her one of my spare stringers and be thankful she didn’t suffer from my teachings.
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From: Buzz
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Date: 17-Mar-09 |
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Glad yor are "OK".
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From: Michigan Hunter
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Date: 17-Mar-09 |
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Come on.......your girlfriend did that. Fess up! Just kidding and I'm glad you're OK.
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From: Frank V
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Date: 17-Mar-09 |
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Judo, I'm glad you are ok, & thanks for telling on yourself so we can all relearn about stringing & unstringing a bow. Frank
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From: Judo point
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Date: 17-Mar-09 |
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I just want to add that I don't know as my eye was in the line of fire when my hand was on the bow but when it slipped off it certanly was but thats just the thing I don't know because I string a bow everyday and sometimes several times a day and I don't care how disaplined you are when you do something that often it becomes second nature and if you slip up its gonna hurt like mad getting hit in the eye, temple, ear, collarbone or were ever. I know stringers arn't 100% safe either but I think they are a little safer and I will take that unless some one else wants to string my bow then I'll go for that method.lol I know nobody is arguing with me I'm just trying to stress my point so that we never see a post like this one again.
Thanks again for all the get well wishes I'm sure eye'll be fine it aint the first shiner I've had and I Know it wont be the last since I'm a fighter hence the name. But this one scared me alittle cause I never lost vision like that and I honestly thought my eyeball popped at first. well again be safe ~Judo
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From: Elk_Slayer
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Date: 17-Mar-09 |
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Dang I know what that feels like it happen to me when I was unstrung my wifes bow. Its a 36 lber and thought it was no problem and it popped up and hit me in the same place on the left eye. I didnt need stitches but I cut it and had blood all over me and then the next day a thick clear film like part of my eye ball came loose and was just there in my vision and I went to the eye doc and he said it will go away, He said I tore something dont remember what he called it. But it did and now I am fine and this is why I dont own a recurve. I might even talk the wife into getting a longbow so I never have to string hers any more. The stupid thing is I have a really nice stringer hanging on the bow rack. Good luck and if its at all like mine it will get better. Sorry I dont have a pic, LOL I dont normally take pics of me being stupid.
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From: longboar
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Date: 17-Mar-09 |
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Your very luck.Glad your ok.I had one slip out of the stringer once and dang near knock me out.I wish it would have so i didnt have to hear the thunderous laughter.
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From: Oldbear
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Date: 17-Mar-09 |
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George george george. And to think most look up to you and your posts. As stated there is a lot of energy in those limbs. You would be surprised (maybe not now) what that limb tip would do directly on top of a key area in your neck shoulder, whatever body part you want to put in line with it you think is safe. A good stringer is the only answer. It is the equivelent of safe gun handeling.
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From: Judo point
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Date: 17-Mar-09 |
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Well I just got back from another visit to the doctor and she said everything looked really good considering. She said I have a huge contution on the top part of my eyeball but the pupil and everything looked suprisingly good. I just tried looking through my glasses with it and it seemed good except it made me feel alittle dizzy and strained the muscles alittle. well it will be awhile before I can put a contact back in and know for sure but I think I got lucky.
John thanks for sharing also and I'm sorry that you didn't make a 100% recovery.
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From: Bustacrook
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Date: 17-Mar-09 |
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I've always used a stringer mainly for fear of twisting my limbs and never considered something like that happening.
However, when I do the push pull method on my nephews longbow, I do it as to where the face of the bow is pointing away from me.
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From: johnnyrazorhead
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Date: 17-Mar-09 |
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Judo- I just wish I would have posted my pics earlier,maybe it would have prevented it happening to you.I kept having trouble loading my pics so I never did it.I read your post and thought I would try again,and again no luck.Fortunately my computer guy was coming over to do some other work on my computer and he showed me how to post the pics.I always felt too that if I can keep just one person from doing what I did it would be worth it. Like you said,my depth perception was way off for awhile after the accident.I remember trying to play catch with a football with my son.He would throw it and it would be coming right to me but then I couldn't tell where the ball was or how far it was from me.I would cover my face instead of trying to catch it so I didn't get whacked in the eye again.It's better now.I went to an eye specialist for quite awhile,had an outpatient surgery procedure done to try to open some damaged area of my tear duct.I had blood in my eye for a long time before it finally cleared up,I would see flashes of light and lots of "floaters",those little specs that look like they're floating around in front of you.I was told that it would always be more likely for me to have problems with the damaged eye for the rest of my life.I am very thankful to not have lost my eye but it was close.I would not wish this on anyone. I would tell guys about using a stringer and they would say stuff like "oh,I've been doing it this way(push-pull) for 40 years and never had a problem",or "I'm careful,I turn my head to the side".I guess whatever works but I still cringe whenever I see someone do the push-pull thing.Why take the chance with your eyes.I never appreciated my eyesight until I almost lost some of it.It sucked. Thanks for sharing your story and hopefully somebody will think twice before NOT using a stringer. Hope you have a speedy recovery and welcome to the club!! LOL
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From: fdp
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Date: 17-Mar-09 |
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Very unfortunate event. Kope you heal quickly and completely.
I string my recurves using the step through method when I don't have a stringer handy.
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From: fdp
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Date: 17-Mar-09 |
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Very unfortunate event. Kope you heal quickly and completely.
I string my recurves using the step through method when I don't have a stringer handy.
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