Galvanize

[Franz]

As I write this, a friend, mentor, and one of my Rabis is in an induced coma in the ICU in Forsyth Hospital in Winston-Salem. Jim Paw-Paw Wilson is one of the best Blacksmiths I've known, as well as an author.
Below is his last posting on the smithing site. I know him well enough to know he would want it here too, just because his experience might save somebody else.
Since he posted this back on the 4th or 5th, he has been in 2 hospitals, and is now in an induced coma fighting for his life.

""Ain't no fun at ALL!

It was almost funny last night. Sheri was talking to our daughter (LPN) and her comment was, "I'm on my way!" Like many medical personnell, she doesn't trust anyones diagnosis but her own.

After determing that all my vitals (except temperature {102} and blood pressure {109/59}) were within normal limits and that there was no pneumonia she and her mother made me go to bed. While I was laying there, I suddenly remembered burning off some galvanized pipe, and called out to Avis, "Avis, go on line and check out the symptomology for metal fume fever!"

Shortly she came storming into the bedroom, saying, "You nailed it daddy, what the HELL have you been doing?!?"

The conversation deteriorated a good bit after that.

She's not afraid to chew daddy out. (wry grin)

She said (among many other things) that what made it worse was that I KNEW better!

I feel a bit better today than I did last night. Should be over it by tomorrow.

But many thanks to all for careing. ""

Jim got himself in this situation by burning the galvinize off some water pipe in his forge. As he says, he knew better.
Hopefully, the old coot will be out of the hospital and back at the forge soon, so he can continue to pass on a lifetime of wisdom.
If you learn nothing else from this posting, please learn Zink Fume Poisoning can and will get you without warning.

[banzaitoyota]

Words to continue living by......

thanks for the reminder Franz

[tackit]

Heres what I keep in the shop for welding, brazing, galvo and chromium..

There not as good as a full face protector but for $7.77 there way better than nothing. I got them mostly for when the son in law helps me, I don't want to get him sick or kill em, he's only 27, he's got a long way to go.

ENCO has them on top of new catalog page 814 for $7.77 a piece, model # 325-1178

http://products3.3m.com/catalog/us/e...er/output_html

If you click on user instructions in the learn more box it tells you what the mask is good for.

Glad your Rabi friend pulled through Franz.

[Franz]

Friday the 13th of May 2005

Jim 'PawPaw' Wilson has passed away today due to complications from his fume fever. Jim is survived by his wife Sheri, 4 children and 27 foster children

He died of respiratory failure after a bout of pneumonia trigerred by zinc fume fever.

Words that come to mind remembering Jim; Patriot, Blacksmith, Chairman of Cybersmiths International and author of The Revolutionary Blacksmith, Warrior and Teacher to many, and lover of Dobermans. He left me a whole lot smarter than he found me, and for that alone, I'm glad I knew him. Winston Salem will be a quieter place without the ring of Jim's anvil.

The great saddness here is that Jim's death was preventable. He'd be the first to say so, and chew ya out for burning galvanized. He was the kind of man who posted pictures of the damage to himself when he tangled with a wirewheel a while back, pecking away with one hand so others could learn from it. http://www.anvilfire.com/21centbs/safety/index.htm

Rest in peace Jim.
http://www.pawpawsforge.com/

[cutter]

I am very sorry, Franz.
I had heard of him, seen his picture before somewhere on the net, I'm sure.
This is really a shame.

[tackit]

Sorry to read this Franz, may your good friend and mentor rest in peace.

[Tom Zachman]

Golden Anvils & Golden Hammers for PawPaw.

[Ike]

sorry for everyone's loss. am praying for the family.

Ike

[gaia]

Sad to hear this.

My illness has also been triggered by zinc fume fever - altho I was wearing a respirator at the time - and only recently had the strength to start welding again.

[grumpy]

My condolences to his family and his close friends.