In majority of cases, non-destructive ring removal is possible. However, as we mentioned in our last blog post (check it out here) this is not the case for 100% of stuck rings.

So you have to cut the ring … But what comes next?

Just the act of cutting through the ring can take several hours depending on the material, design, and shape of the ring. Although cutting through the ring may seem like an easy solution, it is anything but that. Read on to hear about the many things you must consider when cutting and then removing a ring...

1. Safety Concerns During the Cutting Process

Now you’ve decided you have to cut the ring, there are a couple things to keep in mind.

Firstly: the person cutting the ring must be a professional. Any tool with a sharp blade can cause a lot of damage if used incorrectly. The safest option is to use a ring cutter that has a guard because it gives more stability and allows for a safer ring cutting process. However, despite this extra safety piece, any type of ring cutter can slip, skip or grab onto something on the ring and you risk cutting skin with the blade; it is very important to have safety measures in place. 

Secondly: ring cutters generate a lot of heat, especially electric ring cutters which have a faster blade speed. The friction from the metal causes the ring to get hot and there is a risk of thermal burn on the finger (see an example of this in the photo to the below). There is not much you can do to lessen the heat other than cutting in intervals (this allows for the metal to cool down in between cuts) and to apply water or lubricant to the area of the ring that is being cut to decrease the temperature of the metal against the individual’s finger. But as you can see in the two photos below, it is anything but easy to manage this safety risk. Always be sure that you are handling heavy machinery with care.

2. Maneuvering The Ring After A Cut Is Made

In all cases of ring cutting, it’s important to keep in mind that because the ring is so tight, once a cut is made, the sharp edges could cut or puncture the patient. For instance, take a look at the photo below, it looks dangerous doesn’t it? You can see how tight the ring is on the individual.

This is a risk, as well as a liability, that must be taken into consideration when manipulating the ring off the finger.

Take your time. Do not rush the process. Keep reading further on to hear why a second cut might be your best alternative to avoid puncturing.

3. The Challenges With Prying Apart a Ring

When prying apart a ring you are giving yourself a better chance of removing the ring using manipulation techniques. To pry the ring apart you will take two needle nose pliers, placing one on each side of the cut and work to pull and pry it apart manually.

Sometimes with tough metal rings, those made out of tungsten, cobalt or titanium, or those with a very thick band (such as a Championship ring … see below) it is too difficult to pry open this tough and thick metal. In these cases, prying the ring open usually isn’t an option. In this photo below, a team of doctors and nurses tried to pry apart this ring, but the band was too thick and strong to allow for any type of bending.

Another factor to consider when prying is the safety risks. When physically prying the ring apart, you are putting a lot of force on the ring. This is risky as the pliers could slip and/or snap back causing more risk for injuring the patient. Prying a ring must be done very carefully.

Another important thing to keep in mind is that the prying process causes much damage to the ring. When rings are malleable, the prying process will bend and deform the ring. As well, depending on the design of the ring, stones and diamonds can fly off the band, and some rings, such as eternity bands, may be damaged beyond repair.

4. A Second Cut Must Be Made

As we discussed, the first step is to cut the ring, but in every ring cutting case you will need to pry the ring apart and sometimes, make a second cut. There are challenges that come with this, let’s explain these two cases below

Case 1: You make the second cut close to the original cut, often due to the shape of the ring. In this case, prying apart the ring is done with a little bit more ease, as well as making manipulation techniques much easier. Take a look at this photo to the right, where the ring has been cut twice, somewhat close together.

Case 2: The best practice for cutting a second time is to try to make your second cut as opposite from the original cut as possible. The second case is cutting the ring at 9:00 o’clock and 3:00 o’clock. In this situation, the ring is able to be removed in two pieces with no manipulation techniques. Check out this photo to the right for an example of a 9:00 o’clock and 3:00 o’clock cut.

As mentioned before, it is best to make two cuts as opposite of each other as possible; 9:00 o’clock and 3:00 o’clock is the best case. This is so the ring can come off in two pieces rather than trying to manipulate the tight ring off of the finger, risking the sharp edges to puncture and damage the individual’s finger.

During all this, it’s important to keep in mind the length of this process. Cutting a ring that is thin and made of more malleable material, such as gold or silver, will likely take less than 10 minutes. However, in the case of tough metals, it can take at least 20 minutes to several hours. Imagine having to do this process twice in those Championship Ring cases!

Check out this video by Dr. Larry Mellick where a team of medical professionals tackle exactly that Championship Ring case we’re talking about. You can see just how challenging it can be! 

As you can see, there’s a lot to consider about ring cutting ... That is why, if at all possible, when non-destructive ring removal is an option, it should always be your first step. The end goal is to make sure the individual is safe and comfortable during this process and our ring removal solution offers just that!

To learn more about how our non-destructive ring removal aid reduces the need for ring cutting, click here.