Pics of my first weld beads

[root]

Ya' know... I should learn to read manuals *completely* someday.

From the Speedglas manual:

"Protection from ultra-violet radiation (UV) and infrared radiation (IR) is continuous, whether the ADF is in the light or dark state. In the event of battery or electronic failure, the welder remains protected against UV and IR radiation according to the darkest shade (shade 13)."

[root]

Heck for safety sake its not worth going the cheap route.

I agree 100%. Don't skimp where safety is concerned.

It has been about 24 hours and I still feel fine. I was just out playing with the welder again, although I now close my eyes for the split second the arc starts (although probably for no really good reason). If I do manage to forget to turn on the helmet again, this time I'll know something is wrong faster since I know how bright it should be now.

[bialecki]

The Need for a Good Helmet

I wonder if you can find anything on webmd.com for advise on treatment or whether or not your eyes suffered any burns. I know you were asking for others to comment about their similar experiences to help ease your mind. However your helmet was in place and the lens still protected your eyes from UV, but not the light intensity.

This leads me to the subject of quality helmets, you mention that you have a 3M helmet which I have read is a very good helmet. I currently own a $50 Harbor Freight auto darkening helmet with supposedly a 1/25000 lens darkening speed. Well while taking some "tig" lessons from a friend at work who has the Miller "Elite" helmet, I was able to try it out, what a difference between a quality helmet and the HF one. The quality of the lens makes all the difference in the world. As my friend said you can't weld if you can't see, i.e., the puddle. So being concerned about safety and now being aware of what a quality helmet really is, I ordered the Elite helmet myself. Heck for safety sake its not worth going the cheap route.

"root" keep us posted with your outcome of your condition.

[root]

Like the others said, most any good quality auto darkening helmet will protect you from the UV and Infared rays even when it is not turned on.

This seems to be the case for the Speedglas helmets, as it has been nearly 19 hours and my eyes feel fine (knock on wood). Thanks 3M.

[shorerider16]

Like the others said, most any good quality auto darkening helmet will protect you from the UV and Infared rays even when it is not turned on. (Safety glasses underneath offer further protection )

As far as the potato trick, I have never tried, and therefore cannot comment on its effectiveness. However, I have to say that I personally would just go straight to the doctor/emergenc, they will give you some special eye drops to help the pain and reduce the harmful effects.

[root]

you should be fine .the "burn" is from ultraviolet light.auto darkening hoods are protected from this in the light stage also,usually to a shade 14 or 15.

Ding, ding! Thanks fabricator. Too many other people telling me how I'm going to suffer.

Just kidding everyone. I appreciate all input.

[root]

It feels like you get a visit from the EVILsandman.

That guy from SpiderMan 3? Who would have thought an airline mechanic could go so wrong.

[root]

don’t be surprised if your wife doesn’t have to run you to the emergency room about midnight

Oh no... More words of encouragement!

I think I'm going to have symptoms now whether I actually got dosed or not. Real or psychosomatic, pain is pain.

[root]

Don't get down everyone does it at least once even if they don't admit it its all good live and learn and keep on burning

Yeah. I'm not really upset that it happened. This was, afterall, my maiden voyage and a mistake like this I can easily chaulk up to inexperience. Now if I had burned the house down, then I'd be really upset.

[fabricator]

you should be fine .the "burn" is from ultraviolet light.auto darkening hoods are protected from this in the light stage also,usually to a shade 14 or 15.

[Green MT Welder]

It feels like you get a visit from the EVILsandman.

[Heavy D]

Don't get down everyone does it at least once even if they don't admit it its all good live and learn and keep on burning

[root]

What brand of helmet do you have?

I was flashed for about 5 seconds, when I said the same thing, "Man, this looks brighter than it should..." then realized my error. The good news is that the glass in the helmet is designed to protect your eyes if the darkening feature fails completely (or I forget to re-enable it). My eyes were fine. (No visits from the nocturnal welding sandman.)

It is a 3M Speedglas 9002X. Hopefully my experience will be the same as yours. I like to think 3M produces good stuff (and not just because I work for them ).

[Samurai Dave]

Auto darkening helmet - getting flashed

What brand of helmet do you have?

I have an Optrel, and I did the same thing. (You can turn-off the autodarken feature so you can grind without it obscuring your vision. I just forgot to re-enable it...)

I was flashed for about 5 seconds, when I said the same thing, "Man, this looks brighter than it should..." then realized my error. The good news is that the glass in the helmet is designed to protect your eyes if the darkening feature fails completely (or I forget to re-enable it). My eyes were fine. (No visits from the nocturnal welding sandman.)

I suspect your helmet is the same. The first autodarkening helmets were using inferior technology and they would darken more slowly, which left welders staring at a "dot" when not welding. This led manufactures to install glass that would protect your eyes to compensate for the slow autodarken circuits. After the circuits improved they kept the glass around, as a safety precaution. Now, even if they fail you won't get flashed.

[root]

The bad part is, someday you'll do it again.

No, no, no, no... Well, maybe. But, please, no, no, no.

I am just hoping the helmet blocked enough for short term exposure, even when turned off.

I've got some potatos and I'm not affraid to use them. The sight might scare the wife and kids, but they'll deal with it.

Any estimates on how long it would be before I know for sure? If I was going to feel pain, would it start within 2 hours, 4 hours, etc.? It has been about 2 so far, and while I'm not in pain, I can "feel" I was staring at a bright light. So there is some effect. Hopefully this is as bad as it will get.