Always Wear Pants When Handling a Blade

I had just arrived in a town I had moved to for work. While unpacking and cutting down boxes alone in my new apartment, I accidentally nicked my wrist with the utility blade I was using (the blade stroke that cut me came as I was just admonishing myself for using bad scout manners by drawing the blade towards myself and resolving to push the blade away from me on the next box).

I’ll spare you most of the gory details, but suffice to say my blood was pulsing impressively out of my wrist. After clamping my hand over the cut and running it under water, the bleeding was not stopping.

I had just taken an extensive first aid course, and knew to put my wrist above my heart. I immediately did so, and in a mild panic and only a t-shirt on, I knocked on my neighbors door. When he answered I promised it was not as tragic as it looked, and asked if he might help me.

He kindly offered to drive me to the nearest clinic as the blood flow was slowing, and graciously did not bat an eye when it was determined he would have to help me put some pants on in order to go. He sat with me and brought me home after stitches; an act of kindness to a stranger that I have never forgotten.

Lessons learned: 1. Always cut away from yourself, 2. Always listen to your inner voice, and 3. Always wear pants when handling a blade!

Michele Hibbins, Victoria, bC