Removing a titanium ring from a swollen finger may be quite painful, but not impossible. This article seeks to provide insight into whether titanium rings can be cut off, especially during emergencies.
Sometimes, you may have heard of or personally experienced a situation whereby your finger became swollen enough to trap your titanium ring.
It is an excruciating experience, and the ring needs to come off as soon as possible to prevent further severe bodily harm. The ring may further restrict blood flow to your finger, resulting in dead tissue in the finger, which is not fun at all. So, can titanium rings be cut off in an emergency?
Can titanium rings be cut off (in an emergency?)
Often, emergency room physicians cut off any hard metal ring, including titanium rings, from your finger.
By employing skilled methods and tools, such as power or manual ring cutters, you can save your finger from amputation, before it is too late. But first, before using the ring cutters, they will use lubrication to slide the ring off your finger.
Titanium rings consist of titanium metal, which is a strong, durable, and corrosion-resistant material with the highest metal weight to strength ratio than any other metal. Many consumers prefer titanium rings due to their durability and affordable nature. They are also lightweight and more scratch-resistant than other jewel metals.
Despite common belief, titanium rings are safe and comfortable to wear. They are hypoallergenic and a viable alternative to precious metal jewelry.
Even if your finger becomes swollen and traps the ring, there are safe ways to remove the ring. Contrary to societal rumors, you do not have to have your finger smashed, amputated, or further damaged while removing the ring.
How are titanium rings removed in emergencies?
Titanium rings are a popular alternative to gold and silver in the jewel industry. Their incredible strength and durability have made them a favorite among many. However, their strength makes them more difficult to remove during emergencies. Many doctors say that aircraft-grade aluminum, an alloy made from vanadium and aluminum is more difficult to remove than commercial-grade aluminum.
They type of aluminum used and the thickness of the material used impacts the difficulty of removing the ring. There are several ways to remove a titanium ring from a swollen finger. Before resulting to a ring cutter, the physician may opt to use lubrication, or elevate your hand, or using a nifty string trick.
Traditional methods like lubrication, elevation, use of a manual ring cutter, or finger binding to reduce finger swelling by compression may not work at certain times. Therefore, specialists may need to use special cutting equipment, including drills, dental saws, or diamond-tipped saws, to remove the titanium ring from your finger. The process is somewhat uncomfortable for the patient but takes approximately fifteen minutes.
Before resorting to cutting the ring, it is best to dip the affected hand in ice water for a couple of minutes to shrink the swollen finger. Elevate your hand above your head to reduce pressure. Proceed to apply lotion, lubricant, or liquid soap on the swollen finger, and begin sliding the ring off using a rocking motion. Rings with a true comfort fit interior, as opposed to those with a straight ‘pipe fit’ interior with tapered and rounded off edges, are easier to remove in case of emergencies.
When the titanium ring refuses to slide off after employing these traditional methods, it is time for the emergency medical professionals to apply the use of special cutting equipment. The removal process involves dividing the ring, which may require the assistance of a nurse to provide irrigation as the ring may heat up quite quickly.
Depending on the availability of the cutting equipment, you should cut the ring from both sides to allow the ring to fall off from the swollen finger. However, if you cut the ring once, you will need another tool, like a vice grip wrench or locking pliers, to force the ring open. Otherwise, you may also choose to use a set of straightened paperclips and place them on each side of the cut. Use a set of pliers to grip them, forcing the ring open enough to remove the finger.
In some cases, special cutting equipment used by emergency medical practitioners may fail to work. As such, a large pair of bolt cutters is just as effective. It easily cuts the ring, and by using lateral traction on a pair of large paper clips, it split it into two. There should be no complications during the recovery process, as the removal process is quite straightforward. However, it is best if a professional use the bolt cutters to remove the titanium ring as it could end up worse if an unqualified individual does it.
Read more about tungsten rings removal tips here.
Tips for safe titanium ring removal
When you find that you have a swollen finger that constricts your titanium ring from sliding off, the first tip is to remain as calm as possible.
Panicking only makes the situation worse. Elevate your hand as soon as possible for a few minutes to necessitate blood flow and apply a lubricant, lotion, or liquid soap.
Do not pull the ring off; instead, use a rocking back and forth motion until the ring easily slides off your finger.
You may also apply ice to the affected hand to reduce the swelling. If this fails, you may then visit the emergency room.
Conclusion
Some jewelers may make false claims that it is impossible to remove titanium rings from your finger to advance the sales of precious metal rings.
Whether in an emergency or not, titanium rings are removable. However, you can avoid having a titanium ring stuck on your finger.
The truth of the matter is that the size of your ring finger is not the same throughout your life. It helps to monitor such changes and make the necessary adjustments over time.
Titanium rings are not resizable. You may have to buy another ring from your jeweler.
For more titanium rings posts, for more
Tiger is a fashion&jewelry lover. He is also a fashion jewelry manufacturer that help thousands of small business to grow and also do business with some big fashion jewelry brands. He is a truly metal expert and he will share some information you are looking for.