A warning to the serious members!

[Bigsatan13]

If possible I would like a mod to keep this sticky.
I had a major accident in the gym Thursday morning and would like to let others know about it so they can avoid this. I was going for a personal best of 425 lbs on the bench and just before lock-out my left elbow support blew apart and without hesitation the full load dumped out of my hand and crashed down on my chest. This was a picture, perfect lift according to my partner and the others who watched this happen. I warmed up with 225 them 315 then 405 and when I went for the 425 I tightened the velcro on the elbow supports and like I said just before lock-out the velcro blew apart. According to my partner as soon as the support popped, the left arm shot foward and the bar came out of my left hand. There was nothing I or my partner could do it happened so fast! You can imagine the panic that came next. The weight was removed in half a second but I stood up and couldn't breathe. It felt as if a lung collapsed on my right side. I went to the emergency room and the doctor told me considering the amount of weight and the distance it fell that I should have been dead! After a thorough set of xrays and ekg everything came back ok, no cracks or breaks, just a severe contusion.
I don't normally use elbow supports but I was training through a strained joint on my right elbow and didn't want to reinjure it. My main reason for this thread is to warn the good guys here that the velcro elbow supports, under a heavy load are extremely dangerous and no matter what you think always be ready for the freak accident! Thanks for listening.

 

[PowFit]

Ouch! Sounds scary. I bench suicide grip, but never dropped the bar before (knock on wood). Glad to hear your OK..

 

[BigWh1tey]

I bet that left a mark.

 

[Bigsatan13]

I don't see anything yet, but it hurts bad. I'm an percs but they aint doing much.

 

[cure]

Bet ya that's the fastest your partner ever threw 425lbs across a room. Hope your alright.

 

[BigPhysicsBastard]

Well, that story brought back some bad memories........glad to hear your ok bro. Hearing your body break/tear/fold can be very traumatic......I speak from personal experience.

 

[k1401]

Glad you're ok Bro!

 

[Bigsatan13]

Thanks to all concerned. Going back to the gym in the a.m., to stretch out, and move around, maybe some light work.

 

[Bigsatan13]

Just to update. I'm up to about 50% of what I was doing in the gym. You would be surprized how many movements include the chest. I am painfully reminded of the auxillary role the chest plays in most compound movements. I did chest on Friday, light weight and many reps, not by choice. A sneeze or a cough still feels like some one is sinking a hatchet into my chest. Improving everyday!