Always thinking 'Thumbs UP'
Not to hijack the original thread but as long as it could help but even one person I think I should share. It pains me to share this However, not only can you dislocate or break your thumbs but things could get even worse.
Situation; Starting from a dead stop in the middle of the desert and paying attention I started up a trail and noticed a slight wash out on the left SO! I simply moved to right a bit only to drop off into an even bigger hole on the right. The wheel spun so fast it threw both hands off. The end result was not good.
I had a nice bruise on my left leg from my hand hitting it so hard, also broke my webbed watch band. The right hand, not so lucky, dislocated the Thumb and both bones in the wrist prior to breaking them. Essentially I just about screwed my right hand off my arm at the wrist.
The ugly part was, we were 20+ miles from any service at 5:00 pm and an outside temp falling thru the fifties. Getting dark and cold!! A whole lot went on at this point (Lots-O-expierience) basically we stayed calm and stopped it from being a compound situation (fracture) very close!
Lesson: Even though you know to keep your thumbs up the natural reaction is (especially in the unexpected) is to grab on tight (ouch). Even at only 10mph that steering wheel can spin your hand off. We learned allot more that day I'll share it somewhere else later.
The end result; After a situation assessment we decided to leave the rig, left a note sent a CB signal (useless) grabbed the bag and miscellaneous other items and headed off on foot. Was painful, approx five to six miles into what we figured would be an 18 to 20 mile hike just for cell service or maybe even people, we got picked up by another vehicle. Six hours and three hospitals later everything was stabilized and awaiting surgery. Went back tthe next morning got the rig and drove 12 hours to home. Needless to say we had thanksgiving dinner the next day at home.
Here's a little picture of what can happen whether or not you know to KEEP YOUR THMBS UP! :Wow1: