How to Remove a Fish Hook
from The American Family Physician; at www.aafp.org/afp/20010601/2231.html
This method has been proved successful on many occasions when fellow SCFF members have accidentally hooked themselves.
The string-yank technique is a highly effective modification of the retrograde technique and is also referred to as the "stream" technique. It is commonly performed in the field and is believed to be the least traumatic because it creates no new wounds and rarely requires anesthesia. It may be used to remove any size fishhook but generally works best when removing fishhooks of small and medium size. This technique also works well for deeply embedded fishhooks, but cannot be performed on parts of the body that are not fixed (e.g., earlobe). Physicians should be familiar with the concepts of this method because improper technique could cause further tissue damage.
A string, such as fishing line, umbilical tape or silk suture, should be wrapped around the midpoint of the bend in the fishhook with the free ends of the string held tightly (Figure 1). A better grip on the string can be achieved by wrapping the ends around a tongue depressor. The involved skin area should be well stabilized against a flat surface as the shank of the fishhook is depressed against the skin. Continue to depress the eye and/or distal portion of the shank of the hook, taking care to keep the shank parallel to the underlying skin (Fig.2). A firm, quick jerk is then applied parallel to the shank while continuing to exert pressure on the eye of the fishhook. The fishhook may come out with significant velocity so the physician and bystanders should remain out of the line of flight. A commercial fishhook removal device, based on this technique, is available. (Minto Research and Development Inc., Redding, Calif.).