Arrow Accident

[Don Meredith]

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,

[Kurt505]

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.

[petew]

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

[bowtech3006]

Great reminder thanks for sharing

[dbcooper]

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

Dave

[jcrayford]

Originally Posted by dbcooper

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.

[Mutter87]

Originally Posted by Kurt505

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.

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

[MtnGiant]

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

[rugatika]

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

[KegRiver]

Originally Posted by Mutter87

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

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.

[jcrayford]

Originally Posted by Mutter87

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

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.

[3blade]

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. The video is worth watching. If you are reading this, go check your arrows.

Thanks Don

[bowman45]

This is something you definatly,do not think about till it happens. I never use to inspect my arrows, until I saw a youtube video of it happening.