Emergency Removal of Tungsten Rings

Tungsten rings requires special removal procedures in an emergency situation because of its hardness, there are a few techniques available as follows that may make it possible to remove the ring without damaging or destroying.

The first way is elevating the hand to decrease blood flow and soaking the finger in ice water may relieve enough swelling to permit ring removal. Also, applying soap or another water-soluble lubricant may help.

Other techniques have been described in medical literature including the use of umbilical tape or string, or even anesthetic injection to facilitate removal attempts.

If these procedures do not work, it may be necessary to destroy the ring in order to remove it. Place vice grip tyle locking pliers over ring and adjust the jaws to clamp lightly, release and adjust tightened one-third turn and then clamp again. Repeat until a crack is heard, and then continue clamping in different positions until the hard material breaks away. Be cared that not to slide or rotate the cracked ring on the finger, if tungsten rings contain an inlay of gold, the exposed gold can then be cut or clipped in the usual fashion.