Carabiner went into wrist under palm. 12 Stitches.

I was falling from an unclipped 2nd bolt on a 5.12a. Seeing my last clip stream up between my legs I thought, “I’m going for it!” And reached out grabbing the draw. I stopped flying through the air but only because the sucker (carabiner) dug into my hand and caught me. A bracelet was being worn and it saved me from going deeper. It went into the Ulnar underside of my right wrist starting from the center and worked  it’s way towards the pinky for about 2 inches also caving in 1-2 inches underneath the fat of my palm. I could see the fat fibers and it looked like string cheese as it tugged away my skin. Doctor said there was no tendon damage, all my fingers work fine. The cartilage looked still intact. Muscle is weak but I’m not trying anything to test. The swell hasn’t gone down at the sight of injury and there is a swollen node at the center of my palm. Where the wrist extends on the underside is swollen and it’s unable to extend, 3 weeks into recovery. My insurance is garbage and won’t be able to get in touch with an orthopedic.
Any thoughts besides don’t grab the draw? Lesson learned.

I wanted to see if I could catch my weight

Lets see some pictures!!! Grabbing draws has always been a no, no. I wouldn't even think to grab one while falling.

You're probably going to get flamed hard. Hope you're resilient.

You joined today? Welcome to MP! Thanks for the story. Um, what were you thinking, grabbing a draw during a lead fall?

"I wanted too see if I could catch my weight" is pretty dumb.

Pics or it didn’t happen.

I like that you included the route grade too. Need more proof or else I assume you chuffed off 5.8+

Two thoughts.

1. You got extremely lucky. If the rope had unclipped from the draw you would have been in splats ville. If you had actually grabbed it and tried to hold on instead of it grabbing you.... I doubt you would be able to use that hand or arm for a long while.

2. Dont ask for medical advice on MP.

What made you even have such a bad idea? Dont believe stuff you seen in movies.

I want to see pictures!

Alex B wrote:

Why didn't you just slap a Band-Aid on it?

F*ck that’s gnarly!

I can’t imagine why anyone might need a tourniquet...

Itll make a nice scar that will always remind you not to grab draws! Hope there's no permanent damage!

Flapper of the year! I imagine that could've been a lot worse! A 150 lb falling sack and a meat hook has potential for bad things! I possibly would take that, over the dislocated ankle I'm suffering from now! 

Gross. I still dislike the Achilles’ tendon one from a while ago more.

Glad you are healing up, and welcome to shitty insurance in the land of the free.

Jesus dude that looks fucking awful. I’m sure you’re making sure it stays super clean, but that’s pretty much the most important thing you can do. To all the folks talking about “why you would try to grab a draw in a fall,” people don’t always make the logical decision in a split second. I don’t really blame the guy for grabbing the draw. Sure it was stupid, but he pointed that out in the original post. It’s like when people or deer freeze in front of a moving vehicle. It’s instincts and reflexes. Sometimes you need a really bad experience to rewire your brain in the right way. But seriously keep that shit clean and don’t mess around with an infection if one devolops.

Tim Stich wrote:

Star Trek Memes are the best.

If I understand right, this could have been the safest choice.  You're at the second bolt but it's unclipped, so there's a good chance you're in decking territory.  Impaling your arm to stay off the deck could be the superior option.

Trinidad Collier wrote: ... But seriously keep that shit clean and don’t mess around with an infection if one devolops.

What he said! Such a large opening of the skin layer, and especially the intrusion of the 'biner so deeply under the skin layer REALLY opens up the opportunity for a serious infection to develop. Which if one gets started and is even slightly neglected, can easily lead to the loss of hand or even your life. A friend of mine died following surgery and subsequent deep infection.

He or she who has never made a dumb decision while climbing, let them cast the first stone.  I know I've done stupid things before like grab the rope on a whipper. Sometimes in that split second you panic and do something dumb and dangerous. Sometimes we get lucky and the consequences are negligible. Sometimes the consequences are catastrophic, sometimes, sadly fatal.  I'm sure Alex will learn from this and live to climb another day.

Alex B wrote: I was falling from an unclipped 2nd bolt on a 5.12a. Seeing my last clip stream up between my legs I thought, “I’m going for it!” And reached out grabbing the draw. I stopped flying through the air but only because the sucker (carabiner) dug into my hand and caught me. A bracelet was being worn and it saved me from going deeper. It went into the Ulnar underside of my right wrist starting from the center and worked  it’s way towards the pinky for about 2 inches also caving in 1-2 inches underneath the fat of my palm. I could see the fat fibers and it looked like string cheese as it tugged away my skin. Doctor said there was no tendon damage, all my fingers work fine. The cartilage looked still intact. Muscle is weak but I’m not trying anything to test. The swell hasn’t gone down at the sight of injury and there is a swollen node at the center of my palm. Where the wrist extends on the underside is swollen and it’s unable to extend, 3 weeks into recovery. My insurance is garbage and won’t be able to get in touch with an orthopedic.
Any thoughts besides don’t grab the draw? Lesson learned.

I wanted to see if I could catch my weight

Please post more regarding how your med bills work out.

Tradiban wrote:

Please post more regarding how your med bills work out.

If everything "works" you will be good to go with time.

Well firstly, thank you everyone for your words. As unforgiving this sport can be I’m very thankful for the outcome of this. Living in California with basic insurance left me a 2,000$ ambulance bill, and 4,500$ in hospital fee’s. Premium insurance may be worth it in America. 

Glad it wasn’t worse! Hope your wrist heals fast.