Worst witnessed Bushcraft injury.

[Toddy]

The worst bushcrafting injury I know of was caused when an axe didn't hit clearly and sort of bounced from the wood ( if he sees this thread, I'm sure he'll come and be precise ) and sliced through the man's muckboot and into his foot. It did slice tendons, so that was a major surgical repair and weeks on crutches. Very good recovery though; the axe was razor sharp.

That's a common strand in most of the injuries we hear of from using tools; they are very sharp. Thankfully those kind of owners keep their sharps clean too though, and I don't think I've ever heard of any of the wounds becoming infected.

 

[Broch]

My personal worst 'bushcraft' accident was at the age of 5!

My Mum had made me a small campfire at the bottom of the garden and I was using a toasting fork. I had a friend with me who decided to put the fork down across the fire. Knowing this was a bad thing I grabbed the fork but it was already very hot and I burnt my hand quite badly.

Lesson learnt - leave others sort out their own mess - lessons learnt young are lessons for life.

One might ask where was my Mother? I have often thought that over the years.

 

[Pattree]

It’s true that the various rescue programmes on tv give the impression that most of us have suffered some trauma or other.

While it may not be not true - there is still time

 

[CrispyDuck]

Brock’s campfire toasting fork reminds me of a mistake I never seem to learn from… burning tongue/lips on hot toasted marshmallows

 

[TeeDee]

It’s true that the various rescue programmes on tv give the impression that most of us have suffered some trauma or other.

While it may not be not true - there is still time

Indeed -judging from the anecdotes of what has so far been mentioned.
Not sure if my chicken little /overthinking mindset is quite ready to put things to bed quite yet.

Seems the biggest commonality in the more serious of the injuries mentioned is the presence of people to aid and assist - albeit in indirectly.

I wonder how bad things could be in the same incidents if it was just oneself and ones own self acknowledged ' Oops !' moment. Trying to ring for aid or apply first aid to oneself with a deeply bloody paw could be a little different.

I guess it may come down to if one is a social butterfly bushcrafter or more a lone lamb with sharp playthings.

 

[John Fenna]

The worst accident I suffered when alone was a dislocated right knee/torn muscles and ligaments - when half way through a Land's End to John O'Groats attempt ...
I strapped myself up and had to complete a 15 mile hike with full pack to reach civilization ...
Saw a GP the next day who diagnosed a pulled muscle - and I continued my walk (strapped and with a stick ) for 3 more days before I call the end of the attempt!
A sports injury specialist gave me an accurate diagnosis a few months later but not getting proper treatment soon enough has left me with permanent weakness and Osteoarthritis plus a worn out left knee and hip issues from over compensation - and I have made it worse by repeating the original injury a couple of times doing other activities!
I never learn!

 

[Stew]

Indeed -judging from the anecdotes of what has so far been mentioned.
Not sure if my chicken little /overthinking mindset is quite ready to put things to bed quite yet.

Seems the biggest commonality in the more serious of the injuries mentioned is the presence of people to aid and assist - albeit in indirectly.

I wonder how bad things could be in the same incidents if it was just oneself and ones own self acknowledged ' Oops !' moment. Trying to ring for aid or apply first aid to oneself with a deeply bloody paw could be a little different.

I guess it may come down to if one is a social butterfly bushcrafter or more a lone lamb with sharp playthings.

Is this like the story of reinforcing plane wings in the war? They started by reinforcing the areas where the holes were on planes that came back but then later realised it was the planes that weren’t coming back that they should worry about.

Think on the what if no one is there to help is a good way to go.

I’m struggling to think of a personally experienced injury more than just a cut or a burn.

The closest I can think of a told story that didn’t end in death but could have was one Alan Hinkes told. He sneezed on some flour while up makalu on a solo trip and was incapacitated for days.

 

[Stew]

In fact, telling that of Alan also brings to mind the quote that he finished the talk with - it was probably some 26 years ago but some things stick.

“Climb if you will but remember that courage and strength are nought without prudence and a momentary negligence may destroy the happiness of a lifetime.
Do nothing in haste. Look well to each step and from the beginning think what may be the end.”