Its a fact of life....metal detecting can be hazardous. Pictured above is just one example. Coins cut by lawn mowing apparatus can leave them with razor sharp edges. Many items that detectorists run across every time they venture out to enjoy their sport can injure them, sometimes very seriously. A small cut caused by a piece of broken glass or a sharp coin combined with dirty hands can lead to a nasty infection if not tended to immediately. Listed below are a number of things to look out for when you are detecting. Knowing the hazards exist before you venture out can go a long way to making your sport safer and more enjoyable.
Wear Gloves!
Broken off bottle tops and pieces of glass, sharp rusty pieces of metal (such as tin can lids), and live rounds of ammunition are all things to watch out for when you're digging targets.
If you use a knife or a sharp digging tool, take care to always cut away from your other hand. These tools can be quite slippery when they are wet and muddy. Have a first aid kit handy to take care of the unexpected minor scrapes and nicks.
Use Sturdy Shoes!
Rough, uneven, sloping ground can cause twisted ankles or worse. Briers, blackberry bushes and thorns have a harder time making your life miserable when you have good footwear.
Keep an eye open around you!
Poison oak, yellow jacket nests, and animals that have a chip on their shoulder all present conditions to look out for.
When hunting in parks, particularly when alone, you may be vulnerable to folks that would like to take your money, take your shoes, or worse yet, deprive you of your equipment. When possible, hunt with a partner, hunt during the daytime hours, and hunt in areas frequented by many people.
Don't get lost when hunting remote areas. If you have the use of a GPS, take advantage of it. It's easy to get turned around when you are concentrating on detecting. Tell someone else where you are going, and when you will be back. If no one knows where you went, it will be much harder to find you should you not return when expected. Take a cell phone with you when venturing into the field. Some locations may not have service, but at times it may save you a lot of inconvenience.