Thumb protection
 

I did a good job slicing up my thumb the other day while reeling in miles of spectra. It got me thinking about possible ways to protect my thumb. I know that there are some products out there which are designed for this. I found this one on line. http://www.thumbdinger.com/ In a recent video, it looked Skallywag had some blue stuff on his thumb that looked like tape.

Rather than trying to reinvent the wheel, I thought I would throw the question out to the forum before I head to the shop. What works? What doesn't?

Please weigh in if you have any suggestions.

Bob

That blue tape is known as Flex Wrap, among other names. It is a 'medical' style tape that sticks to itself but not to skin or other objects.

It works, but as with any tape, once it gets dirty or worn it tends to unwrap. If I'm fishing all day, I usually have to reapply it at least once. At least that's my experience. Honestly, I often go without.

two words...................
























toughen up!





http://gadget.brando.com/prod_img/zo...01000_06_L.jpg

I am aware of the tape. The medical product is called Coban from 3M. The problem is that it is elastic. You have to stretch it to make it stay in place. If you wrap it too tight, you can cut off circulation.

There must be something else that is inexpensive, simple to use, stays in place and will not get in the way. Time to put my thinking cap on.

Bob

One only needs two tools in life: WD-40 and duct tape :D

Here is product that the Spearos use... http://newskinproducts.com/liquid-bandage.htm

What Andy said X2... Flexrap as someone suggested. OMG....

I bought the thumb dinger but have never used it for an extended period of time......made it tough to pick my nose otw......it just sits there beggin to be used

Anyone ever try painting on a thin layer of SuperGlue? Bad guys use it to hide their finger prints when doing their evil deeds. (As far as I know most members of Congress have not yet caught on to this trick.)

I have spilled some on me before. It usually takes a day or so to wear off so I think it should last through a day of fishing.

I don't think SuperGlue is harmful because medics often use it to close wounds in the field. It is even used by plastic surgeons in place of stitches in some cases.

Bob

This is the stuff I get for my manufacturing folks:
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/MOD...828?Pid=search

Similar to the medical pre-wrap that was referenced above, but not as stretchy (lower rubber content), and much tougher. Another option are leather thumb guards. Pretty cheap and they last forever:
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/CON...ZE3?Pid=search

Although I am sure that salt water baths will do a bit to shorten that "forever" lifespan, they should last for quite a while. And at about .83/ea for a pack of 10, they are pretty cheap.

superglue is always in my bag on surf trips you can pretty much seal anything up with it.....

Trojan.....I have a very large thumb. :D

Andy x 3!!!!!


Or like Mr. Beck suggested a piece of duct tape

Bob,

My index fingers get tore up all the time even from mono and I use the blue flex wrap stuff. It is fairly inexpensive at squidco, and I usually get a couple rolls of it. I dont usually have a problem with it unwrapping, but it usually rolls up at the ends and I will reapply. I think if you coat your fingers with glue, the spectra will burn through it, but I use it all the time to cover up splits in my fingers. I also play the drums, and sometimes between sets I will notice my fingers split so I always have a roll in my gear bag.

And as far as duct tape goes, I wouldnt use that as obviously it will hinder movement, and the glue on the tape can irritate the crap out the cuts.

Hey Bob,
How in the hell did you slice your thumb up if you weren't on a big fish???
:leaving:

Drop iron to the bottom... retreive... repeat... repeat... repeat...

six hours of rubbing spectra against your skin is bound to do some damage.

Bob

I see... well if that is the case, then X 4 what Iceman said :doh:

if you cant fix it with a hammer you got an electrical problem.


I agree with Andy too man up, or you can always use mono.

get a level wind reel :D or turn your reel from side to side while winding ;)

You're too funny, Bob.
 

Hey Andy, this right here was nothing short of classic! Full on spit the beer out of my mouth :D. Thank you.


Bob, if you hurt yourself catching the occasional squid or Mackerel dropping iron---God forbid you get slammed by a forty pound Yellowtail. :eek:

The good news, Bob: When you come home with microscopic cuts---you'll have proof you went fishing. :biggrinjester:

Stop using your thumb. :)

Better yet stop using spectra on your yoyo set up. 40 pound mono will get it done and guiding it back on the reel will be a lot easier on your hands.

OK guys, I appreciate all the advise including the comments from those who think I should refrain from whining about getting my fingers all cut up. Point taken.

The best advice given was to use mono when yo-yoing. I normally would do that but on this day all my reels, except for the one on jig stick had spectra. I suppose I could have used the jig stick but I didn't.

Those who know me know that when I identify a problem, I try to think of a way to solve it. This is fun for me and occasionally I come up with a good idea. There are times when finger protection is needed. I would like to be prepared the next time I run into one of those situations.

Both SuperGlue and liquid band-aid seem to be worth investigating further. Both of these products come in small packages which can be stored in a vest pocket and be readily available if needed. Even if not used for this purpose they are probably good things to have on board anyway. I will also probably pick up a roll of the Coban material to have on hand. We used this stuff all the time back in my Lifeguarding days. Again, probably a good thing to have in the first aid kit.

If I discover any earth shaking results from my future experiments I will be sure to let everyone know.

Bob

can't wait for the next problem:eek:..for entertainment purposes only...:sifone:

I have mono on all my yoyo set ups for that very reason, also the stretch helps to absorb the initial shock and reduce the chance of ripping the jig out of the fishes mouth on the strike. Only draw back is if he heads for the kelp...

Don't worry Bob, I enjoy all your post and you usually hit the nail on the head, you have had a lot of good tips and tricks. If nothing else you started the "Share Your Innovations" thread.:you_rock:


by the way I call BS on the cut up thumb without photos :biggrinjester:

Funny shit old man!!! Hahahaha

Fishing is a contact sport.

Bob

Attachment 3558

ouch...

Nice pants when did you turn into an emo kid with safety pin jeans??:rolleyes:

:drool5:I think the guys a "cutter"

Bob, I have used the elastic wrap on a few Collonet trips. And I have the hands of a Carpenter. Unfortunately, constantly dropping and winding up 300 to 400 feet of spectra keeps your hands wet which makes even the most callosed (sp) hands easy to cut. The good news is that you do not have to stretch the elastic wrap much to make it grab itself, so there is no real concern for cutting off circulation. It does seem to lose its "stickyness" from the outside in, and will slip on wet skin though. I try to wrap a wide area to help prevent slipping. And put on a few layers that you can trim the ends of as it looses its ability to grab. Never tried Nuskin, but that sounds like it might work if you can keep the spectra on the covered skin.