Welding can be hazardous to your health, especially the eyes.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Hey Guys,

I was welding on my work trailer last Friday and apparently my welding hoods batteries died and I got flash burns.

Long Story - It was a overcast day and i was welding in corners installing expanded metal on the sides. I noticed it was tough seeing in the corners, but thought it was just the corners causing the issue.

All was well until about 9 pm Friday night when my eyes started burning and feeling like I had gravel in them. Since there was some grinding involved, I assumed i got some dust in them. Flushed them, put eyedrops in and went to bed.

Next morning all was fine until I was in lighted rooms for about 20 minutes. Burning and gravel returned. Went to see a doc Saturday (Mom drove me ... a side benefit ) and he said I had flash burns. He prescribed an antibiotic suave that you put in your eyes (fun times). The rest of the Rx was to stay in the dark for "a few days". I tried to explain to him I'm pretty much in the dark all the time and he told me he meant literally (no sense of hoho in that one).

Been a long week. No internet, no tv (not much loss there) no Bible study, no driving. Like I said ... Long week. Sucks at age 63 to need to ask your mom to take you everywhere you go, and to wear extremely dark glasses that fit close to your face pretty much all the time. My audio Bible and Sirius' "The Message" pretty much got me through. Mom checking on me at all hours of the day and night was a huge help too (inject sarcasm here).

After over a week, I can pretty much function without any glasses or dimming of lights. I still get a little burning at the end of the day if i'm outside a lot during the day (been in the 60's here all last week ... you can imagine how great staying inside has made me feel). I've been limiting anything "eye tasking" and only doing necessary internet and reading. Went to the doc on Friday again and he said another few days and all should be well.

Moral of the story ... check your equipment well ... my hood uses the batteries to cause the lens to darken when an arc is drawn ... so I will start doing a voltage check before welding on the hood batteries. Also will do a good check of all safety equipment before using it in the future.

[consitter]

Bless you heart, fella. Blindness (or near blindness in your case) has to suck even worse than what you're even describing. Until now, I've never heard of the flash lens failing like that.

I hope that you will continue to feel better as the days wear on. Will say prayers to that effect.
Take care, and just be glad that your mom has the willingness and ability to help you out.

[R Livingston]

Glad you're on the mend and thank the Lord for XM radio and audio bible. God is good.

[1dn5up]

My dad was in the Coast Guard as a welder/ boiler tender. He told me of many flashing stories. No auto dim shields in those days. Also seen a lot of youngsters welding exhaust systems, with out that first strike shield on. I yell at them constantly

[Fowler]

I feel your pain man. Welding flashes suck!

I have had welding flash a number of times.
It does not feel good.

The first time i was a kid and was watching my father weld. He did not tell me about welding flash and laughed at me when I was complaining the next day
He cut a potato in half and had me hold them to my eyes.

I have had a few metal slivers in my eyes also over the years. They are not fun either.

I am very careful now. I wear eye protection all the time but every now and ten I still get something in my eye. It sucks.

[rhino 2]

When I do welding i always wear auto dimers ,and I also have a bucket of water 💦 close by!thats good to put out clothing fires 🔥!Before auto dim the first strike would sometimes jump up and bite me 😱....................This message sent via iPhone 😜

[Recycledteen]

I hate when that happens! The potato trick works, dad told me when I was a kid not to watch him weld. And you know, after that first time, he didn't have to tell me again! I have a hood that self checks when I push the button to start it up, and it is supposed to auto shut down after 5 minutes. I have the habit now that i push the button even tho I know it has not been close to the limit just to know it is working. I feel for you with the eyes, most people have no idea the radical change in your life that can happen when you lose your sight. Good luck and Godspeed on healing that all the pain will go away soon.

Rick

[David357]

Good to hear you are on the mend.

Take care of yourself.

Also, stay away from the sharks......

[CrystalPistol]

My auto dim has a solar panel, I lay it in the sun at times, but I think it maybe recharges from welding itself? I have meant to look that up.

I usually use E7014 sticks and they are a little hesitant to start (just what I favor) which even with non auto dim shield helmet gave me ample chance to drop the eye shield before arc.

Be careful with them eyes!

[rhino 2]

My auto dim has a solar panel, I lay it in the sun at times, but I think it maybe recharges from welding itself? I have meant to look that up.
Be careful with them eyes!

With my Auto dim, they highly recommend if it hasn't been used in a while , Leave it out in the sun for at least 20 minutes to recharge......

[Jack Klarich]

I cant weld but I can cut with a torch
good luck on mending

[bowelder]

I've been a welder going on 47 years, I don't use a auto lenses and never will, as far as I'm concerned they are junk, I will not trust my eyes to batteries and auto dohickies. Yes I've gotten flashed, but only maybe 3 times, I guess I'm lucky or just real careful, do yourselves a favor and learn to use a standard OLD SCHOOL dark lens. Guess I'm just an Old Fart, stuck in his ways, did I mention that I really hate those auto lenses!

[bowelder]

Fuzzy, while I was on my high horse I neglected to say I hope you feel better soon, getting flashed is not fun.

[Zammy]

Damn Fuzzy, you've had quite the year, I'm glad you're doing better.

[desertclassic]

Fuzzy, prayers for continued healing. I had a year in an Army machine shop, heavy engineer equipment. It is just by the good Lord looking over us that we are still able to function. Jim

[Fabricater]

I have been there a few times over the years. The 1st time was bad. Every time I have had my eyes burned,I was welding in a place that a reflection would reflect off a wall behind me,(stainless steel or aluminum) and get into my helmet from behind. I do use a auto darkening helmet,and Ilike it. There are some good ones,but they are not cheap. The one I use is made by Miller. The best one I have ever used is made by speed glass. It was over $600. At the time.

[CrystalPistol]

With my Auto dim, they highly recommend if it hasn't been used in a while , Leave it out in the sun for at least 20 minutes to recharge......

That's what mine's instructions say .... which lead me to think the using it in the presence of an arc recharges it as well. Most of my welding is indoors .... so something is recharging it?

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Also, stay away from the sharks......

Just when I thought it was safe to go into the water ... LOL


Eyes are getting better ... anything that strains them seems to be "amplified". i.e.. reading, extended sun, computer use, even staring at my tank, etc.

I sometimes get "mesmerized" looking at my salt water tank. I just put a new LED light fixture on it ... WOW, the corals really like the new light. I was looking at it as the sun came up (LED's simulating a sun rise) and didn't realized I had watched it for close to two hours. After that my eyes felt dry and tired.

Got to be more careful for awhile I guess. I still have a touch of welding to do on the trailer, a buddy of mine said if I cut the steel, he's do the welding. Think I'll take him up on that.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Oh yea ... thanks for all the kind words and prayers.

[Regwal]

I was in Bangladesh two years ago for a paper mill startup. There happened on us a breakdown which required welding. Those guys didn't wear shields, they somehow squinted their eyes and got after it. I couldn't watch so took a coffee break.

Hope you are mending well.