First Aid For
Fishhook Removal

Embedded fishhooks, it happens. If the injury is not life threatening there are some things you can try to remove the hook and restore sanity to your fishing trip.

The majority of fishhook injuries happen on the hand, foot or arm. Every now and then fishhook will get lodged in the eye or near a major artery. These need to be treated at a hospital.

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Go to the hospital if…

• The hook is deeply embedded, near the eye or an artery, or lodged in a joint or tendon
• If your tetanus shots are not up to date (you need a booster every 10 years)
• If the hook as lodged in the eye. Gently cover the eye with a paper cup and tape to the head. Instruct the patient to close their eyes to avoid eye movement. Have them lay down and slightly elevate their head

First Aid Treatment:

Fish line method:

• Wash your hands
• Using a piece of fishing line tie a loop of line through the bend of the fishhook (the "U" shaped part). So that a quick jerk on the hook will pull it out in line with the shaft of the hook
• Holding the shaft gently push the hook inward and downward (away from the barb) to dislodge the barb
• Holding that pressure on the hook give a quick yank on the line and the fishhook will pop out
• Clean the wound with soap and water
• Loosely cover the puncture wound with gauze.
• DO NOT seal or tightly close the opening of the wound. This can trap bacteria in the wound and cause infection

Wire Cutting Method:

• Wash your hands and then wash the area around the embedded fishhook
• Apply light pressure to the curve of the fishhook while gently pulling on the hook
• If the tip of the hook is near the surface of the skin gently push it through the skin
• Using wire cutters snip off the barb
• Remove the rest of the hook pulling it out the same way it went in
• Wash the wound and apply an antibacterial ointment
• Loosely dress the wound with sterile gauze