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Discussion
Quadcopters: Be Safe!!
Hi All -
I just wanted to share an experience I had last night so nobody else has to make the same mistake. Last night I finally got my quad put together (custom build) and put on my APC 10x4.7 props. I went to calibrate the ESCs and completely underestimated the thrust of this thing. Fortunately I was able to maintain a hold of the quad but it sliced me pretty bad on my right pinky finger. Fortunately my brother was right there and reacted quickly and unplugged the battery from the quad (my xbee link came unlinked so the motors were just spinning full throttle). Blood was spewing everywhere and My girlfriend rushed me to the emergency room, where I received stitches on my finger. There were 4 deep slices. I was so excited to have completed my build that I overlooked some safety measures. I got very lucky, too - if the quad would have gotten a hold of my face or other body parts, I could have sustained some serious injuries... Lesson: These things are POWERFUL! Please, be very, very careful... -Jamie PS I have pictures of the whole incident but they are sort of bloody so I decided not to post them. |
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It's funny how threads like this never get any replies, even though the advice in them is very important.
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Perhaps readers were too traumatised by your accident to post replies?
![]() Anyway, do take care. By the way, what motors are you using? |
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I read your post and took it all in. I too have had an encounter w/ a quad blade. Mine was however was a comparison to a paper cut. Enough to make me learn though.
To be honest when I first read your post, my first thoughts were.. POST THE BLOODY PICS ![]() ![]() Play safe, Carl |
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http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/s...idProduct=4700 They have some serious power! |
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![]() And yes, probably best not to post the pics. There was a LOT of blood! |
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Sounds like you may have hit an artery. I'm glad you didn't post the bloody picts ![]() Can you still work a TX? If not, I prescribe months of physical therapy for you in front of an RC simulator ![]() Seriously hope it starts feeling better soon and thanks for posting the warning. |
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For every kg RTF weight about 1000W power...... Yep. These are not toys.
Lucky it was just your pinky finger. Of course you now have a checklist which requires you to step back a safe distance from the kopter before turning on the motors, a power switch on the flight controler (not the ESCs and batteries; they pull too much power, but as long as they shut down when the FC is without power, that's OK), and that failsafe program as top priority on your programming list (turn off motors if signals is lost while near the ground)..... |
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Hi all,
Just for the record. I am currently nursing a 3" gash in my arm with 5 stitches in it. This was the result of an oversight brought about by complacency and excitement. I was in the process of tuning my quad and very excited (and happy) to have my quad hovering in my back yard. I have some video which I will post later. I had flattened 3 batteries this day and was getting very confident with my piloting skills as a result. I flattened my fourth charge and picked up the quad to go back to the workshop but forgot to disarm the ESCs. While I was walking I accidentally brushed the throttle on the TX and the beast launched into a full throttle attempt to get away from me, which it did but not before cutting up my arm in a few places. This also required a trip to emergency and a few embarrassing retelling of the story. I felt such an idiot!! But I can assure you all I will not be remiss with safety again. ![]() |
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Last edited by don_cocinero; Jan 22, 2010 at 10:38 PM.
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Even without stitches that convinced me to change my sequence slightly to not switching the mechanical on/off switch to on until I am ready to fly with the TX already firmly in hand and more or less standing, and always turning that switch OFF before picking up the APMk after any flight or testing. |
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![]() ![]() Which quad tried to have you for lunch? It may be good to figure out which quads try to eat people more often so we can determine which one has the best arming/disarming procedure. Same here but I'm not sure for the same reasons ![]() ![]() |
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Yes, it is the throttle stick type arm/disarm. What got me with this trap for those with vigilance blurred by excitement ( ![]() ![]() At the end of it all....I should have been more alert ![]() ![]() |
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Last edited by don_cocinero; Nov 22, 2009 at 08:29 PM.
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Always a joy to hear from you. ![]() It was the QuadPowered Quad that tried to julienne my arm. In my opinion, the Mikro approach to arm/disarm is safer because of the visual component to the process. I hasten to add though that this incident does not point to any particular Quad as more dangerous but instead has highlighted the need to observe strict safety procedure at all times and it will certainly not deter me from continuing to use the Quadpowered board. After all it is a great board and the responsibility for safety is mine from the outset. I have nonetheless added more cautions to the safety section of the Quadpowered user Guide along with more references to safety procedure interspersed throughout the guide. We all know that these machines are not toys. Depending on the motors you are using you will be interacting with a combined output of 1Hp or more, so there is no room for complacency here. Mia culpa ![]() As far as pics are concerned, I think the time to take photos is immediately after the accident so that the graphic impact of the moment is fully maximised. But of course I was too busy trying to prevent my supply of blood from coating the patio at the time and my wife was too busy looking horrified. Now that the stitches are out, even I look at it and wander what all the fuss was about. Funny how it all just fades into the tapestry of life. Cheers Don |
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Last edited by don_cocinero; Nov 22, 2009 at 08:28 PM.
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![]() I'm glad you took care of the situation instead of reaching for the camera. Too many people reach for the camera these days when something goes wrong instead of helping. |
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