Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Several Common Detecting Injuries to Be Conscious Of

By Paul Duncan


In the supposedly harmless activity of metal detecting, injury can take place. In this short article, I'd like to talk about a number of the potential hazards and injuries that could happen, as well as a few of their remedies.

Although metal detectors are made as light weight as possible by manufacturers, the body and coil of the detector can weigh several pounds. When you are beginning metal detecting, you should be aware that the constant swinging of the coil for long periods of time can cause not only fatigue, but injury to your elbow and shoulder. I myself have "tennis elbow" in the elbow of my swinging arm and feel pain there all of the time. If you metal detect in the water, you have the added resistance of the water against the control box as well as the coil. To avoid elbow and shoulder injuries, slow your swing down, alternate swinging the detector with your other arm, and take frequent breaks from detecting. If possible, mount your detector body on your hip or chest. This is especially true if you detect primarily in the water. Using a chest or hip mount drastically cuts down the weight you are swinging, as well as the water resistance when detecting in the water.

Regardless of exactly where you might be metal detecting, it is very important to wear the proper footwear. In case you are metal detecting on rough, irregular land, wearing a very good pair of boots is suggested. Ensure you have sufficient ankle support so that you can evade ankle injuries. When metal detecting while in the water, ensure you wear water shoes, or at the very least some old tennis shoes. Rusty, jagged metal and glass are typically found in swimming locations, so appropriate footwear can avoid significant cuts as well as the need to go for a tetanus shot. When metal detecting within the ocean, appropriate footwear may also shield you from a number of the unsavory critters that could be discovered on the ocean floor. Remain mindful of potential rip currents.

Use of knives as well as other cutting tools for example trowels may also bring about injuries. I fairly recently cut the back of my leg with my long-handled water scoop when I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing.

Whether or not you're metal detecting on land or within the water, be conscious of the kinds of critters you might run up against. Within the ocean, it could mean jellyfish, sharks, skates, and so on. On land, it could mean poisonous snakes or insects, or animals that bite.

And though it's something you may not have considered, some metal detector users have actually been mugged. Mainly because you are wearing headphones, it is easy for someone to sneak up on you.

For the most part, metal detecting is really a enjoyable recreational hobby. But just in case, you need to be ready for injuries and always keep a first aid kit handy inside your automobile. Have some bug repellent handy in case the bugs are biting. But most of all, just be conscious of your surroundings and what you're doing.




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