Metal detecting dangerous??

lambretta · Aug 23, 2009

Is metal detecting dangerous? You better believe it! I'm 32 years old. I've spent years on a skateboard, I mountain bike, I build a shoot guns, I do lots of running.... Yet yesterday I was out scouting an area that I planned to hunt with a detector and ended up falling down an embankment and breaking my ankle! This sucks! Broke the end of my fibula at the ankle. I'm in a splint right now and I think I will not need surgery. I've never broken a bone, and unfortunately comes at a bad time for a break because I am anticipating a phone call from a police department I applied for. I hope I can heal in time to be able to participate in pt. At least I get a vacation from work.

I was over 1/4 mile out in the woods in a pretty secluded area. There was a guy in his mid 50's to early 60's walking around. I asked if this was his property and he said no, that he was Just out caching. I figured geocaching? About 5 minutes later I fell while trying to find a place to cross a river. I pulled myself up the steep embankment and was actually able to limp to the trail. The guy was still there and handed me a piece of a fence. I used it as a crutch to get back to the road and the old man walked up ahead. He didn't say much (I figured he was being cautious as he didn't know who I was, it's understandable) As I hobbled up the trail, the man was nowhere to be found. Never saw him again. No car parked when I arrived either. Creepy in itself.

So guys if it looks like it might be dangerous, it probably is. Be careful. Sorry if there are spellng errors. I'm a little groggy and I wrote this on an iPhone. Find something good for me.

mlayers · Aug 23, 2009

Sorry to hear that you fell and broke your ankle. I sure hope it heals so you can get that job. Don't let this keep you away from detecting. I have been doing it off and on for 30 years now and really love doing it. I have been geting more and more into water hunting now since it has been hot and dry around here.....Matt

Skywola · Aug 23, 2009

I would say definately, it is a dangerous sport. Being aware of the possible dangers is very important, going into an area you know little about can be dangerous. Also when you are detecting, it is easy to forget your surroundings and pay attention only to the sound of the detector and the ground immediatly ahead of you. One thing I would reccomend for anyone going to an unfamiliar area is take a look at it on google earth first, and also take a look at the google earth topographical of the area. Bringing a few print-outs of the area doesn't hurt either.
They say don't go alone, but I sometimes think that people in groups may get a false sense of security. If you are alone, you should be very much aware that one mis-step can lead to a whole lot of trouble. Plan your trips and be safe . . .

mrs.oroblanco · Aug 23, 2009

Sorry to hear about your fall - but even just walking can be dangerous (even if you are not having to pay attention to signals :laughing7:

)

Take care of that ankle, as that area tends to heal slowly and we tend to use it before it has healed thoroughly. Make sure its good and strong before the next detecting season (this one is coming to a close shortly - at least here in snow country).

B

Seamuss · Aug 24, 2009

I fell and broke my wrist in two places and dislocated it. The doctors had to put pins(temporary) in my wrist to heal right. They told me that it would be eighteen months before it would heal up properly. They weren't kidding either.

The moral of this story is to use common sense to prevent accidents and take care of any injuries according to doctors orders to heal up right.

My injury did not happen while detecting but could have happened anytime.

Under normal conditions detecting is very safe with some situations that need extra attention to keep it safe.

Have fun, be safe and happy hunting.

lambretta · Aug 24, 2009

Holy cow 18 months!

Went to the ortho today. Thought I was just going to have a cast but it looks like they want to open it up to align it better. It's 1mm off and since I want to be able to be active (running for police dept), he suggested I get surgery, so next week it is. Got my short term disability paperwork which certainly takes a load off. I needed a vacation but this limited mobility sucks. My job requires 100% physical ability so no "light duty". It's all or nothing.

Skywola · Aug 24, 2009

Best advice I can give you is take your time, be careful and let it heal proper. If you try to do to much to soon, you can end up making the time of healing even longer than it already will be. I know it sucks, but you can take advantage of the time too, use it for research on areas to go to, learn as much as you can by talking to others online, reading posts. Better to spend the time safely and get it over with as it should be rather than re-injuring and ending up having it take twice as long. This kind of thing is a long road . . . . I sprained my ankle real bad when I was about 17 and it was not normal for several years.

mrs.oroblanco · Aug 25, 2009

Good luck with the surgery - and do what the doc says. Already you are seeing how much of a pain those small bones can be.

Be good - and geesh - be careful!!!

B

desertfox · Aug 25, 2009

Good luck with the recovery and don't push it you'll only do more damage.

arizonaames · Aug 25, 2009

lambretta said:
Is metal detecting dangerous? You better believe it! I'm 32 years old. I've spent years on a skateboard, I mountain bike, I build a shoot guns, I do lots of running.... Yet yesterday I was out scouting an area that I planned to hunt with a detector and ended up falling down an embankment and breaking my ankle! This sucks! Broke the end of my fibula at the ankle. I'm in a splint right now and I think I will not need surgery. I've never broken a bone, and unfortunately comes at a bad time for a break because I am anticipating a phone call from a police department I applied for. I hope I can heal in time to be able to participate in pt. At least I get a vacation from work.

I was over 1/4 mile out in the woods in a pretty secluded area. There was a guy in his mid 50's to early 60's walking around. I asked if this was his property and he said no, that he was Just out caching. I figured geocaching? About 5 minutes later I fell while trying to find a place to cross a river. I pulled myself up the steep embankment and was actually able to limp to the trail. The guy was still there and handed me a piece of a fence. I used it as a crutch to get back to the road and the old man walked up ahead. He didn't say much (I figured he was being cautious as he didn't know who I was, it's understandable) As I hobbled up the trail, the man was nowhere to be found. Never saw him again. No car parked when I arrived either. Creepy in itself.

So guys if it looks like it might be dangerous, it probably is. Be careful. Sorry if there are spellng errors. I'm a little groggy and I wrote this on an iPhone. Find something good for me.

You could star in another "Deliverance" movie....Deliverance2. Was the guy thin with a beard and dark eyes? Did he ask you to squeal like a pig? Where did he disappear to?

spartacus53 · Aug 25, 2009

Sorry to hear about your accident. Maybe that guy was from the other side of the river that you were trying to reach. Just a thought.

Dirt Dobber · Aug 26, 2009

Sorry bout ur accident but ur story reminded me of a old country song that had these lyrics:" U don't have to call me Mister,Mister the whole world calls me Hank". Could also have been ur guardian angel. :angel5:

LOL D.D.

rginn · Aug 26, 2009

Sorry about your accident. If they make a reality show about 'extreme metal detecting' you'll be in it. Like I've said before, I live in country that's very beautiful, but it can kill you in a heartbeat. Hope you have a speedy recovery.