[Fiend]

2 months ago...

Tess: (looking at my severely mashed hands) "Nice, you did have a good day at Ardmair then??"

Me: "Nah this wasn't from Ardmair, this was the day before at Reiff, in the top break of Cleopatra's Asp!"

Tess: (looking confused) "...but there aren't any jams in the top break of Cleo?!?"

Me: "Yeah....I know!"

And now I have a 5p sized area of scar tissue / paper thin non-skin / open sore right in the prime jamming position on my left hand. I love jamming and it's the only thing that gets me up most routes I do, but this keeps opening up even when it looks healed. I'm not going to put on a full tape glove as I don't want the hassle / feel of it, and the rest of my hand is fine, so what can I put on to protect this small but persistent wound?? Any super strong tape / liquid skin / protective glue options? Any ways to put a small patch of finger tape on and secure it without mummifying my hand??

Ta.

[SA Chris]

Bike puncture repair kit!

[andyd]

It's not much of an effort to tape your hand. Once you've done it once you can reuse it. You've got three options
Tape
Skin graft
Don't jam

[Fiend]

Chris, thank you, that sounds like it could work. Is the glue likely to be strong enough to hold on a patch but okay to take off afterwards (TBH I haven't had much of a problem getting superglue off my skin so it might be fine)??

[Stubbs]

Compeed (or similar) blister plaster?

[Fiend]

Another good idea, I am presuming that is sticky enough to stay attached? Usefully accessible suggestions, thanks.

[SA Chris]

Chris, thank you, that sounds like it could work. Is the glue likely to be strong enough to hold on a patch but okay to take off afterwards (TBH I haven't had much of a problem getting superglue off my skin so it might be fine)??

No idea TBH. Have an experiment with a non thrashed bit of skin (might need to shave hair first). Also I've no idea if the glue is suitable for entering bloodstream. Otherwise just leave it in place permanently? To avoid questions from non-climbers just stick a large plaster over it.

Compeed is a better bet TBH, designed for that sort of thing - also might as well remove hair with a razor, or else compeed will do that for you - painfully! I've used them on my shins for ski touring trips and had to physically remove them after 3 days of continuous use.

Taping is aid anyway

[Tommy]

Fiend, the best thing I find that works for covering skin without doing a big tape job is superglue + tape. The glue will last just one route (it tends to roll off or sweat off after 30 mins or so) and will see you through most gnarly jams.

You won't be able to do just a little square though - I think that will still come off unless you've got just one hand placement you want it for. You'll need to do 1-2 simple wraps of the hand. 30cm of tape??

Reusable gloves are good too. Use "Dream Tape" or "Strappal" for the best long term stickiness. Europetape/metolius/kendal are all total shit. Or go and do some proper climbing. Jamming is for pussies.

[Jaspersharpe]

Polystyrene boxes (readily available from your local fast food outlet) strapped to each hand and a Filet-o-fish for emergency use/comedy value/balancing on your camouflage snood.

[SA Chris]

Haven't they gone all "eco" and don't use polystyrene anymore? Shame as it was probably tastier than the burger.