Arrow Accident
 

I'm not a bow hunter, but I received the following message from a fellow outdoor writer in the States who usually passes on good information. This message was passed on to him from a friend. And since I can't find a similar thread here, I decided to post it.

>I just wanted to share what happened to me this weekend and make sure all of you bow hunters are aware how important it is to inspect your carbon arrows. Saturday I was doing some target shooting in my backyard and had 2 arrows piled up together touching, but did not see any
outward damage. I did not do the flex test, mentioned in the link below.
What happened to me appears to be more common than I knew after
researching it. When I released the Gold Tip carbon 5575 arrow, the
arrow broke & shattered, leaving many shreds of carbon embedded in my
left hand. I found both pieces. One was in the target 30 yards away and
the other piece was 15 yards away. At the ER last night, they got a lot
of the carbon splinters out, but did not get them all. I'm going to a
hand specialist on Monday and hoping there is not that much damage.

>Please inform all of fellow bowhunters about this!!

>see the link & the especially the photo in the link:
www.huntersfriend.com/arrow-safety-warning.htm<

FYI,

This is the exact reason I switched to ACC's and FMJ's. I switched before I had this happen. Just seeing the pics was enough for me to spend the extra cash on combination shafts.

This can and does happen with all types, Wood, Carbon, and Alloy.

Wow
 

Great reminder thanks for sharing

Good post. What is the carbon test besides a visual inspection? flex the arrow a little see if there are cracks?

Dave

When I used to shoot carbons and test them, I'd grab either end and create a slight flex in the shaft, while twisting the shaft with the opposing hands. Then I'd flex the shaft, like a long skipping rope between two girls and listen for loose fibers inside. Then I'd gently bang the shaft on my index knuckle and listen again (and feel for vibrations). You have to do tests similar to these, because you won't be able to visually see the damage (cracks)

When they are broke internally, these steps above will indicate that the arrow has damage inside. If you hear anything out of the ordinary DO NOT SHOOT IT!!!! It's not worth the $15 bucks to replace it...

J.

Exactly! There are certain areas where it's just unwise to try and save a buck...

Had a carbon express arrow disintegrate on release, a few years back! Thankfully no injuries, but opened my eyes to inspection of arrows

Good reminder, thanks
Mark

:) Excellent points here..just to add when flexing an arrow hold by nock behind vanes to flex not in front of vanes...we had a shooter shoot a broken arrow right at vanes ..flexed arrow in front of vanes seemed good so shot...blew up bow and left a mark on hand ...could have been much worse...

I have pictures of a half dozen hand shot now down in the USA...


Neil

Here's another option that's best run in tandom with arrow inspection.

http://www.shootingedgetech.com/inde...layout=default

I'm brand new to bow hunting. Do you guys wear safety gear religiously? Eye protection and some sort of gloves or is that generally unnecessary? I'll check out the links later - have I'd kids under six running my show right now...

Looked at that link. Interested in a glove, but not sure I understand there sizing method, whos got a hand 8" across?

It's around, not across.

thats why i only shoot wood or bamboo arrows. bend test them at every practice and before heading out to hunt.

Wood will do the same thing. I have broken wood and had it run up my hand, but luckily I just got scratched, not impaled.

What are "ACC's and FMJ's " ?

Does anyone know if these kevlar gloves can be bought in Calgary?

wow. Thanks for the post. I will definitely be looking into those gloves. Any other safety precautions you guys recommend? Glasses of course.

I believe FMJ is a carbon and aluminum shaft and the ACC is an alloy core inside a carbon arrow.

FMJs are made by Easton, I'm not sure who makes the other shaft.

ACC - (A)luminum (C)arbon (C)onstruction, where there is an aluminum core, wrapped with carbon fibres....

FMJ - (F)ull (M)etal (J)acket, reversed construction from the ACC, carbon core wrapped by an aluminum tube....

I haven't shot the ACC's, but would imagine that they have similar characteristics (once bent, remain bent) but I'm only guessing at that....

J.

I don't wear any safety gear other than a shooting glove and a forearm leather. Chances are if something goes wrong, it's because I wasn't paying attention or did something stupid.

ACC's can splinter same as a regular carbon. One thing with them, is dents are usually more easily visible, than they are on some regular carbons. But, they do usually last longer, before the bonding starts to deteriorate. If you are paranoid about a carbon arrow splintering, try the FMJ version or stick to aluminum.
All the carbon arrows break down eventually, they are not indestructable.

X2...I have more broken wood arrows than all the rest combined


Neil

Good points/reminders!

Exact same thing
 

I was shooting today at our club in Courtenay BC. When I got back from my round of 3-D and was talking to a guy from the base. His arrow broke when he shot and the cable/string derailed, no injuries. The arrow was broken off right in the middle of the vanes. It was a PSE radial X weave 300, they are pretty decent arrows, I have shot the 200's for a couple of years and they stand up pretty well. He said he had missed a target previous to this shot and hit a rock but didn't see any damage, but it would be hard to see in this area.
I checked all my arrows when I got home, and I am going to check my arrows every outing, better safe than sorry.
Cheers Roscoe

Can anyone tell me what the average life span of a carbon arrow is before they fatigue?

Sometimes only one shot (depending on what/how it hits), sometimes well over 100 shots... Or 1000.... Or ????

J.

Scary ...
Carbon Express has a nice video on how to safely check arrows before use:
http://safearrow.com/

By shooting at 5 spot targets lessen the chance of arrow to arrow impact damage.
Any little bit helps.
Plus as the previose posters put down Vigilance.

Reading this post probably saved me some serious problems. Out of 6 practice arrows 2 had cracks that I hadn't seen on visual inspection. One was close to the tip; one was under the wrap, heard it crack:sign0068:. The video is worth watching. If you are reading this, go check your arrows.

Thanks Don