Do you wear a ring when sailing or do you take it off?

[WayneS]

The only way mine would come off is by amputation. Too many pies over the last 25 years

 

[savageseadog]

There is another risk relating to wearing rings on sail boats fitted with battery power. The ring can short circuit the power and burn the finger off, it does happen.

 

[MoodySabre]

I did once short out a battery via a gold ring whilst holding a spanner doing up a terminal. It got very hot very quickly and I had a burn blister right round the ring finger.

I agree that they can be dangerous but I still wear it. No helping some people - including me /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

 

[AntarcticPilot]

I've said I remove my ring, but in fact I do so when I remember - at present I wear two rings; one made from the wedding rings of my late wife and I, the other a signet ring that I wear as an engagement ring (yes, she sails!). Because I normally never take them off, I tend to forget to remove them when sailing! But I agree that ideally you should, for the reasons you have given.

In fact, ANY heavy manual handling with a ring on can be dangerous. I saw a chap narrowly escape stripping the flesh from his finger when his wedding ring caught on the edge of a 45 gallon drum of fuel we were moving - and the drum slipped. He had a nasty, painful wound on the bottom joint of his finger, and I can see that with a bit more force, he might have lost the finger.

If you MUST wear a ring - and I admit that I hate the idea of removing a wedding ring - then wear good gloves over it!

 

[mcframe]

[ QUOTE ]
And how many sailing injuries have been attributed to rings in the last 10 years?

[/ QUOTE ]

Donno, but I've seen _The Abyss_ and wear a titanium wedding ring.

It's got one of those thin gold spinny-bits around the outside, so could be pressed into service as a valve-stem seal on the appropriate engine /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[puddock]

I watched a work colleague (offshore drilling industry) get his wedding ring caught on a chain as the tension came on. Result - finger immediately ripped off, along with about 2ft of tendon !!! Yeuch

 

[grumpy_o_g]

I don't wear a ring despite having been bought one by my beloved. That's mainly due to behaviour ingrained into me whilst in the Air Force. I just can't feel comfortable wearing one.

If you (or she) are worried about it you can cut the risk significantly by putting some flexible tape around the ring and finger, preferably breathable tape I would think. Gloves will pretty much eliminate the problem.

I don't think it's so much the risk that gets me as the thought of what would happen if I put my full weight onto a ring on my finger. Ouch.

G

 

[mandlmaunder]

I wear my ring constantly- around my neck on a leather lanyard, with SWMBO's permission.
I work with my hands and am fully aware of the potential dangers.
SWMBO liked it so much she now has hers(wedding ring) mounted in a gold frame around her neck as well.
Good question!

 

[shmoo]

I used to take mine off for any heavy work, and all RF work that involved any power, and one day I lost lost it. Big row followed, but blew over so I never replaced it. Its only a token of love, not the love itself (end of sloppy bit)

 

[Athene V30]

Caught my finger by the wedding ring once and pulled it quite badly so now as I arrive at the boat ring is threaded onto car key ring and zipped into bag.

Also avoids those tell tale white marks!

 

[Tidewaiter2]

I'd like to know the rubber band method too.
V. diff to get that ring off these days- 38years ingrowing /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif also my knuckles a bit swollen-arthritis and damage.
Used to be able take it off for rugby, dinghy sailing etc.

If someone could not get a ring off, used to tape over it along the finger with insulating tape to avoid catching it.
Would fairy liquid help ease it off?
Must admit I have nearly always worn gloves sailing, esp racing. So ring covered.

We were always warned about gloves with wire ropes and winches, Mind- broken strands catch the glove and pull you onto the drum or a block-better bare hands and a ripped finger than crushed arm. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Must admit I've not come across the injury in my experience/ acquaintances yet- seen more pulled back fingers in rugby, etc.
Food for thought mind.

 

[fireball]

On when on the big boat
Off when racing the dinghy

 

[Scillypete]

I've recently shed two stone in weight and it still wont come off, so I guess I will have to say no for now, perhaps another half a stone and it might move.

 

[Master_under_Dog]

I recently asked a jeweller to remove my signet ring which I could no longer remove over a swollen knuckle. It took about three minutes, was completely painless and when I got the repaired ring back you could not tell it had ever been cut. Fifteen pounds.

But SWMBO may be a bit more reluctant to agree to my removing the wedding ring the same way. It will come off in cold weather - so that should be alright then.

Michael

 

[out_to_sea]

I stopped wearing a wedding ring when I snagged my finger at work and nearly tore it off.

 

[Rivers & creeks]

Started reading this thread in very disparaging frame of mind, but actually it converted me. Thanks for the post.

 

[Strathglass]

I do not have the problem as although I have been married twice I would never wear a ring as I have always considered it too dangerous to my hands.
I was never put under pressure to accept or wear one.

SWMBO always takes her rings off when sailing.

Perhaps you need another tick box.
'I never wear a ring'

Iain

 

[Koeketiene]

[ QUOTE ]
Also avoids those tell tale white marks!

[/ QUOTE ]

That's your RN experience showing /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Evadne]

I'm one of those who had it ingrained at an early stage never to wear a ring when handling ropes or sailing. When we got married I persuaded my wife that we should get a chain to hang it around the neck. She found this quite acceptable, although I suspect the danger of losing the stone from the engagement ring may be her more real fear than losing a finger, but the end result is still the same.

 

[pyrojames]

I wear three rings and given the manual work on board they all tend to get bent out of round. With a weak point like that they would rapidly fail. However I am in broad agreement with your point and I have torn open a finger due to a ring being dragged along it, but not severely. I should but don't take them off. I used to, but when I got married I was more concerned about loosing the wedding ring if I took it off, than loosing a finger if I didn't.

I might modify my practice, but I better be damn sure I don't loose the ring! /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif