When the barb pushes through the skin's surface, the barb is cut and removed, thereby allowing easy removal of the now barbless hook from its initial resting position. This method requires further penetration, a second puncture wound, and passage of an already grossly contaminated shank of the hook deeper into the skin. I have had personal experience with this method, both as a surgeon and as a patient, and can attest to this treatment's efficacy when applied to the unanesthetized orthopaedic surgeon. However, Thornton E. Bryan, M.D. of the University of Tennessee has described it before. It is clearly not a new method.
Pressure is applied to depress the shank of the hook.
The traction line is aligned in a direction of pull, parallel to but in the opposite direction of the eye of the shank. The line is then snapped or jerked in a clean crisp fashion with close attention paid to the direction of pull. Local infiltration of anesthetic is recommended so that the wound can be opened, cleaned, and left open. Leaving a minor hand or finger wound open is effective in skin wounds, as healing by secondary intention is both rapid and efficient. Boating injuries involving propellers can inflict major trauma to the head, neck, abdomen, hand, as well as the upper and lower extremities.