Made a mistake (Graphic)

[TFoley]

I keep black powder in white plastic bottles in their white-painted wooden storage box. I keep nitro powder on the shelf with the labels facing me. No chance of a mix-up.

A salutary lesson there from the OP, who is lucky indeed to still be here at all.

 

[Celticstoneman]

BigPat,
You have my condolences about that ghastly injury. I cannot begin to imagine what that was like. I would like to say that because of your images and story that you have heightened my awareness of the dangers involved. I would LIKE to say that but I won't. I will say that they scared the $&1¶ out of me. Thanks for sharing and I'm glad that you are recovering. On a side note, please have a pleasant Thanksgiving. Regards to you and your's.
John

 

[Treestalker]

Pat, I'm glad you're still alive and I hope you didn't give up Muzzleloading shooting. Sometimes accidents happen in our hobby, like in many other hobbies. Thank you for being willing to share your experience in a graphic manner, and everybody needs to take a good look at that and let it sink in. Of course they cannot feel the pain, nor relate to the healing and relearning to use your hand, jaw, etc. that last a lifetime. Having been involved with Artillery reenacting in years past, I had some close calls. One involved an 18 pdr with a rough bore. I was #1 man and was ramming a 1 1/2 lb powder charge home when the bag broke open. The ramrod stopped about 1 foot short of the breech. I felt the hair stand up on my neck. The summoned safety officer ordered the charge dumped on the ground in front of the gun and wetted with canteens of water. Upon firing the next round, the powder on the ground ignited, and I was in a ball of flame about 12 feet in diameter. My 16 year old daughter, working on a cannon 3 guns away, saw me silhouetted against the flame and thought I was fried. The heat was intense, but I was not burned, being a few feet away in reality. Our Captain had lost most of his right hand in a premature discharge on a 12pdr Napoleon years before. He was right handed and had to learn to do everything left handed. He freely exhibited his hand to new gunners as a caution to not hurry, and be careful and aware. I retired from Artillery after about 4 years, thankfully still intact. Cpl. George Briggs, 1st Arkansas Light Artillery, Confederate.

 

[Whitworth]

Wow, that was quite injury and life changing event. I've seen a video or two of smokeless blowing up muzzleloaders but nothing that dramatic. Glad you didn't bleed to death.

 

[hanshi]

That's the most horrible and dramatic depiction of the results of a terrible mistake I've seen in a while. It is awful that you went through the injuries and medical help could not get you completely back to your original shape. You've done a great service to us all by selflessly posting that damage to dramatic effect. I wish the best for you with heartfelt thanks.

 

[Bigpat271]

That's the most horrible and dramatic depiction of the results of a terrible mistake I've seen in a while. It is awful that you went through the injuries and medical help could not get you completely back to your original shape. You've done a great service to us all by selflessly posting that damage to dramatic effect. I wish the best for you with heartfelt thanks.

Well the ER surgeons were wanting to amputate just below my elbow. I was lucky enough that a very talented hand surgeon happened to be at the hospital at the time. So they brought him in and said he wants to save it. So I’m lucky that I have a thumb that somewhat moves and a index that fully moves.

Reconstructing my hand actually turned out to be his crowning achievement. Every 3 or so months He would take a picture of my hand. Then he would show it to his students.

 

[1950DAVE]

Having mangled my left hand a couple of times that require surgery I hurt when I saw the pic. I only though I had injuries till I saw yours my friend. I only have a slightly crooked little finger and a steel plate in the ring finger but still fully functional. You were truly blessed to have been in a hospital with the young specialist that was able to do what he did for you. You are a tough one brother.
Dave

 

[marwat06]

Thanks for sharing, powerful reminder about safety procedures. I won't lecture anyone; we are all adults. Glad you recovered.

 

[Brokennock]

I am sorry for your injury and very glad for your recovery.

Thank you very much for your courage in being honest and sharing what happened. I'm sure you knew when you decided to share that there would be a few unfeeling, judgemental, @$$}{○£$
that are quick to criticize and question what happened, but slow to acknowledge the service you are doing to others in being honest and sharing your story. (Must be nice for them to be perfect) I am as sorry you have to deal with them as I am that you got hurt, maybe more so.

Thank you.

 

[Frontier's]

If asking how that could happen when you're handling a powder can multiple times without noticing, makes me an a-hole, I guess I can handle that.

I've known guys that have put their hand through the fan on a running engine, and they got the same question of... how in the world did you do that?

Was the powder in the original container or scooped out of the container on the range? Was the label missing, did you have smokeless powder originally stored in a flask or powder horn? Just a lot of questions that could be asked to get down to how accidents like this happen and perhaps future accidents like this could be prevented.

I've been excited lots of times, but never to the point of reaching into the closet to grab a can of smokeless powder, which out numbers my black powder cans.

 

[Brokennock]

If asking how that could happen when you're handling a powder can multiple times without noticing, makes me an a-hole, I guess I can handle that.

I've known guys that have put their hand through the fan on a running engine, and they got the same question of... how in the world did you do that?

Was the powder in the original container or scooped out of the container on the range? Was the label missing, did you have smokeless powder originally stored in a flask or powder horn? Just a lot of questions that could be asked to get down to how accidents like this happen and perhaps future accidents like this could be prevented.

I've been excited lots of times, but never to the point of reaching into the closet to grab a can of smokeless powder, which out numbers my black powder cans.

My apologies if I misinterpreted the nature of your questioning. I think you stated your questions better in your response to me than in your 1st post, lol.
And, I wasn't directly referring to you individually anyway. I'm sure you are aware that there are most likely plenty of people who have done their best to make the o.p. feel like a dope in the last few years.

When things like this happen, the person it happened to has a few choices. One is to not say anything or make something up about how it happened, and let it happen to someone else. Or, use their experience to try to educate others to keep it from happening again. The second one takes guts, and humility. Not everyone can say, "hey, I messed up, got careless when I got excited, and messed myself up. Don't let it happen to you."

 

[Boston Bill]

Horrible.
A “caution- disturbing image” or something would really be appreciated in posts like this. The photos are much too graphic for general viewing! Made my stomach turn.

Chicago Med or Grays Anatomy will help that!

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

Pat, I'm glad you're still alive and I hope you didn't give up Muzzleloading shooting. Sometimes accidents happen in our hobby, like in many other hobbies. Thank you for being willing to share your experience in a graphic manner, and everybody needs to take a good look at that and let it sink in. Of course they cannot feel the pain, nor relate to the healing and relearning to use your hand, jaw, etc. that last a lifetime. Having been involved with Artillery reenacting in years past, I had some close calls. One involved an 18 pdr with a rough bore. I was #1 man and was ramming a 1 1/2 lb powder charge home when the bag broke open. The ramrod stopped about 1 foot short of the breech. I felt the hair stand up on my neck. The summoned safety officer ordered the charge dumped on the ground in front of the gun and wetted with canteens of water. Upon firing the next round, the powder on the ground ignited, and I was in a ball of flame about 12 feet in diameter. My 16 year old daughter, working on a cannon 3 guns away, saw me silhouetted against the flame and thought I was fried. The heat was intense, but I was not burned, being a few feet away in reality. Our Captain had lost most of his right hand in a premature discharge on a 12pdr Napoleon years before. He was right handed and had to learn to do everything left handed. He freely exhibited his hand to new gunners as a caution to not hurry, and be careful and aware. I retired from Artillery after about 4 years, thankfully still intact. Cpl. George Briggs, 1st Arkansas Light Artillery, Confederate.

My gosh. Artillery is one corner of the hobby I have 0 interest in exploring. Way too many accidents and injuries, God bless you guys.

 

[Bigpat271]

Hey y’all, I’ve been living with the results of my mistake for over three years now. All kinds of people have asked what happened. I don’t take offense from anyone. People have a different way of processing info and images as graphic as those in my original post. Hindsight is 20/20. I spent a good part of 3 years kicking myself over my mistake. But life goes on. I could either spend the rest of my life wallowing in self pity or come to terms with it.

On a side note, humor was a big help. Sometimes when a kid ask what happened. I would say a bear attack and I had to fight it off with nothing but a knife.I did this partly because of my humor. But mostly because if I was having a stressful day I didn’t want to deal with the PTSD.

But all is good now. Since I had the accident I have gotten married to a loving woman who stayed with me through my recovery. Which a lot of women would’ve left me high and dry. I also have a handsome 10 month old bundle of pure happiness.

Mistakes were made and learned from. In the end it made me a stronger person then I was before the accident.

 

[User_Dan]

As mentioned before it's a good time for everyone to check their medical gear that they bring to the range.

 

[Musketeer]

Thanks, Bigpat. It's one thing to describe via the written word why using smokeless in frontstuffers is a bad idea and quite another to see something like this, so this thread will be an excellent reference when such questions are asked in the future. I think/hope this will get the point across much more effectively.

 

[Colterkid]

Hey y’all, I’ve been living with the results of my mistake for over three years now. All kinds of people have asked what happened. I don’t take offense from anyone. People have a different way of processing info and images as graphic as those in my original post. Hindsight is 20/20. I spent a good part of 3 years kicking myself over my mistake. But life goes on. I could either spend the rest of my life wallowing in self pity or come to terms with it.

On a side note, humor was a big help. Sometimes when a kid ask what happened. I would say a bear attack and I had to fight it off with nothing but a knife.I did this partly because of my humor. But mostly because if I was having a stressful day I didn’t want to deal with the PTSD.

But all is good now. Since I had the accident I have gotten married to a loving woman who stayed with me through my recovery. Which a lot of women would’ve left me high and dry. I also have a handsome 10 month old bundle of pure happiness.

Mistakes were made and learned from. In the end it made me a stronger person then I was before the accident.

 

[windini]

Words fail me.*

But I'll try: thank you for sharing your devastating experience. It is the best cautionary tale I've come across lately. You have undoubtedly nudged many of us back on the path of awareness and safety!

Also, your attitude and philosophical dealing with your traumatic & life-changing injury is inspiring.

Last, but by no means least, congratulations on your recovery - mental & emotional as well as physical - and your blossoming family!

____________________
*(Pause for thinkery)

 

[Brokennock]

Thank you again @Bigpat271 I appreciate your sharing.
Congratulations on your marriage and your little one.

 

[toot]

I am glad that your face was spared!!!