Drones have become more and more popular in our modern world. From hobbyists who enjoy flying these devices and conquering their fears of heights, to professionals who employ them for various applications, it’s easy to see why a product like this is becoming increasingly popular.
One question that comes up frequently is whether or not drone propellers can hurt you. Drone propellers are considered very dangerous because they can easily cut through things, but many people still wonder whether or not they are dangerous to people as well.
Drone propeller blades can hurt you, but the chances of having a propeller hit you by an accident are lower.
In this article I will share my experience and hopefully help you understand how to protect yourself from these flying robots.
How Much Damage Can A Drone Propeller Do?
The damage that a drone propeller can cause depends mostly on the speed of the propellers and how far away is the person at the time of impact. The results may vary from a scratch or a mild wound to an injury that requires stitches.
It is also important to note that this article does not cover all types of drones. For example, some racing drones like the DJI Digital FPV System or Emax Tinyhawk 2 don’t have guards and produce more power than most consumer grade quadcopters.
Can Drone Propellers Hurt You?
Can Drone Propellers Hurt You? That’s a good question, and the answer is “yes.” Luckily though, there are ways to mitigate that risk and enjoy flying drones without getting injured.
Trees, buildings, water and power lines are some of the most dangerous obstacles for your drone.
If you accidentally hit any of these things with your drone, it can cause serious damage to the propellers and motors on your machine.
Suddenly coming into contact with an obstacle takes a lot of kinetic energy from your drone’s propellers—and that energy has got to go somewhere.
It’s going to go straight into whatever is in its path: water, trees or even your face if you’re not careful! So be sure to fly away from anything that might cause harm should you hit it with your spinning blades.
What Can A Drone Propeller Cut?
It’s a good idea to keep your distance from whirring drone propellers, for many reasons. But the number one reason is that drone propellers can cut you.
In fact, they can cut nearly anything—your skin, a dog’s skin, a human nose, clothing, paper…the list goes on.
To prove this point, researcher Jonathan Peters at Clemson University ran an experiment where he placed different objects atop a spinning propeller and recorded the aftermath.
With his test materials (a deck of cards, a dollar bill and a sheet of paper) it took less than three seconds for the propeller to chop them into tiny bits.
The blade also easily shredded through an old sneaker and what appeared to be a piece of balsa wood—materials that may have been tougher than those found on an actual aircraft or drone.
And while it might seem like this destructive power would be too much for flesh and bone, little damage was done to the materials in the experiment—no blood or broken bones here!
Can Drones Cut Your Fingers Off?
Don’t let them near your fingers!
A common question from people who have just bought their first drone is: “Can Drone Propellers Hurt You?”
In a word, yes. They can cause some nasty injuries. Drone propellers are made from very hard plastics that can easily cut through human flesh or even bone if you put your finger in the way of one at full speed.
However, if your drone is switched off and not spinning, you should be able to safely handle the propellers without fear of being hurt.
You will probably want to wear gloves while doing this though as they are very sharp objects that could accidentally cut you if they slip from your grasp as it’s all too easy to do when wearing a thick glove on one hand but not on the other.
In fact, I always wear gloves when handling anything remotely sharp like scissors or knives because it’s simply too easy for an accident to happen and then suddenly everything goes wrong so quickly there isn’t time to react before severe damage has been done!
So please make sure both hands are protected whenever possible (and never leave children unattended around drones with spinning propellers).
Can Drones Damage Property?
For the most part, drones aren’t designed to damage property. However, there are situations in which they could do so if they’re not flown responsibly.
Drone propellers can cause injury if they strike a person or animal. For this reason, it’s best to keep a distance of at least 20 feet between the drone and people when it’s flying.
This is especially important for small children and pets who may be attracted to the drone because of its spinning propellers.
Lithium batteries can cause fires when exposed to extreme temperatures or physical damage.
Lithium batteries should never be stored in something that could overheat like a car trunk, or in an area where something heavy could crush them, such as under heavy books or appliances on a shelf.
Are Drones Dangerous To People On The Ground?
Depending on the size of the drone, it can pose a danger to people on the ground. Just like any other object that is falling from a significant height, it has potential to injure or even kill someone.
As well as injuring someone by hitting them directly, there is also the possibility of injury if you are hit by a falling drone, or if you try to catch one. Injuries could range from cuts and bruises up to broken bones or internal bleeding.
How Do I Protect My Property From Drone Damage?
- Install a drone detection system.
- Buy a drone jammer.
- Invest in a net gun.
- Create your own drone trap.
- Use a drone with a camera to find the pilot.
Use Common Sense And Awareness To Avoid Injury
Although a drone propeller can cause injury if it comes into contact with your finger, you can avoid this by using common sense.
Never stick your hand near the spinning propellers and keep them spinning when you are operating the drone.
If you are flying the drone, make sure that no one besides yourself is standing within a few feet of the aircraft to prevent injuring someone else who may come in contact with the propeller’s blades.
How Fast Is A Drone Propeller?
Propellers come in a range of sizes, but the average quadcopter (four-propeller) drone uses propellers that are approximately 6 to 8 inches long.
The speed at which they spin is measured in revolutions per minute (RPM). A typical 6-inch propeller might spin around 7000 RPM, while a larger 8-inch one could spin as fast as 9000 RPM.
Two factors determine how fast a propeller can spin: the power of the motor and the amount of lift required by your drone.
The greater the lift you need from your drone, the slower its propellers will rotate. This is why racing drones—which fly at high speeds through tight spaces—have smaller, more lightweight frames and therefore use smaller propellers that rotate at higher speeds to keep them aloft.
Use Propeller Guards To Avoid Injury
Drones come in many shapes and sizes, but the one thing they all have in common is their propellers.
They’re very important—these rotating blades are how drones fly—but they also pose a potential danger to humans and other things around them.
Propeller guards can help keep everyone safe, but it’s important to choose the right one for your particular drone.
Propeller guards can be very effective in protecting people from spinning propellers. A guard will either completely cover them (as with a full covering) or just cover the tips of each blade (as with a partial covering).
These coverings stop the propellers from directly harming anything that comes into contact with them. When you’ve decided to get a guard, there are some factors to consider as you look for the best type for your drone:
- How easy is it to install? Make sure that you follow installation instructions closely so that you avoid accidents during setup.
- What materials does it use? Although plastic is generally used for propeller guards, metal ones are also available—although not nearly as popular due to concerns about added weight damaging flight reliability.
- For this reason, most guards are made out of lightweight carbon fiber or fiberglass material instead of heavier metals like aluminum alloy or steel wire mesh
Cage Guards
Cage Guards protect your propellers by surrounding them in a frame, most often made of plastic or metal.
You can buy them, or you can 3D print them at home. They are versatile enough to be used for recreational drones as well as racing drones.
Wrap Around Guards
An excellent choice for beginners and casual pilots is the wrap around guard. As its name suggests, the guard wraps around the propellers.
The guard protects your propellers from any damage that could be caused by them impacting walls or surfaces.
The guard does not affect your drone’s flight quality, so you can use it without fear of performance issues.
The wrap around guard is simple to install; it attaches to your drone by Velcro straps that keep it secure while flying but can be easily removed when you are ready to fly without a guard again.
This type of guard can be used with any type of quadcopter because of its adjustable design and universal nature; this means you can reuse it if you purchase a new drone!
Wrap Around Guards are also very easy to clean and store when not in use. Simply dump out the dirt, wipe up moisture, and fold it away until next time!
Hard Shell Guards
Hard Shell Guards are manufactured using hard plastic and, in many cases, are transparent. These guards tend to be designed for specific drones and require mounting with screws.
While hard shell guards do offer great protection, they are often more expensive than other types of propeller guards.
If you’re not worried about crashing your drone into objects or people, a cheaper alternative might be suitable for you.
Customizable Guards
These guards are flexible plastic tubes that can be cut to fit any shape or size of propeller.
They’re made from a tough, durable material that you can customize with your own logo, and they’re suitable for use on many different types of drone.
These props are lightweight and easy to install, making them a good option for newbies who don’t want the added hassle of attaching heavy products to their drones.
Inflatable Guards
These are flexible and made out of a material similar to that used in inflatable rafts. They are meant to protect the propellers from impact with the ground or other objects.
Inflatable Guards can be used to protect people and property; they are capable of preventing a spinning propeller from causing injury.
What Can Be The Scenarios?
1) You Are Near The Blades
- You are holding the drone, and it’s not on. The blades will spin around with incredible speed when you turn it on. Even though the blades are about nine inches (22 cm) long, they’re very thin and light.
- Since the motor is powerful enough to lift the rest of the device into the air, even a blade that appears small and harmless can do some serious damage to your hand or arm.
- You’re near a tree. If you raise your drone too high above you, it’s possible for one of its blades to get caught in a branch or hit against a sharp leaf on its way down to earth. This may cause your drone to fly off course and land anywhere but where you intended.
- Or worse: if one of its propellers breaks off during this moment, it could fall out of control toward any number of people or objects below you—including yourself!
2) When You Push The Throttle Stick To Take It Off
This is a common mistake that drone pilots do, even the experienced ones. It is not a good idea to put your hands near the propellers when you are about to take off your drone.
Of course, it would be nice if you can check the direction of its propellers and make sure they are rotating in the right direction before turning on your drone.
However, it is still better to use a stick or any object other than your fingers to push the throttle stick when taking off your drone.
In case you have no choice but to turn on your drone just before taking off, as in some instances such as turning on/off an ND filter for example, try not to touch it with bare hands by using something like gloves that would lessen the impact from hitting the fast spinning blades.
3) Booting Drone While It Is On Ground
If you are in a rush, then you can use your hand to boot it in the air. But keep the drone upside down.
If it is not done correctly, the propeller would cut your finger. It makes sense because if you try to boot your drone with its body facing up, then propellers can easily touch your fingers and cause injuries.
It is always a good idea to use a launchpad for booting your drone in the air. This way you can avoid any kind of propeller hit and damage that comes along with it too.
4) Not Moving Hands Away From The Propeller When You Are Done
It is risky to keep your hands close to the propeller after taking off. It can easily cut you. This is more so if the blades are moving.
Your hand (or any other body part for that matter) can be hit by moving blades. You can get a deep cut which may require stitches or even amputation in extreme cases.
Never forget that the drone’s propellers spin fast, especially when starting off and this will cause damage to whatever it hits.
Therefore be careful as you fly your drone and always move your hands away from the propeller when you are done with it, whether landing or making some adjustments at the end of a flight session.
5) If It Runs Out Of Power And Crashes Down With Propellers Still Spinning
If the battery is low, you should be able to tell from the drone’s warning signals. Don’t wait for it to land on top of you!
The best approach is to get out of the way before it crashes, so you don’t get hurt by a falling drone. However, if your drone does fall on you, try to stay calm and safe.
Keep in mind that the drone blades may continue spinning even after a crash. There are many injuries reported from people who were struck because they tried to stop the drone from continuing its flight.
Instead, protect yourself using safety gear such as gloves or goggles and turn off the drone.
Keep Yourself Safe From All These Possible Instances
- Never get too close to the drone if you are not flying it. It is advisable that even if you have your drone, always keep yourself and other people away from the propellers. The propellers can hit anyone nearby who gets closer in a split second.
- Always watch and keep a distance from the drone if you are not flying it. When someone else is flying your drone, never stand too close or try to grab it when landing as this will be dangerous especially if the battery drains out while flying and accidentally falls on top of you and other people around.
- Keep your hands away from the propellers. This is very important because this might lead to hand injuries which may require medical attention.
- Always be cautious when carrying or picking up your drone as this may lead to accidental starts of your drones’ engines which can cause injuries to you or any person that stands in between you and the blades of your drone will be injured by them.
Conclusion
The short answer is yes, some drone propellers can hurt you. If a drone with propellers loses power and starts to fall then there is a chance that the blades will continue rotating and if you are in close range of them then they could cause injury.
However, if this happens, the chances of it causing serious injury are incredibly small as most drone propellers are very light, weigh less than 1 ounce, and rotate at rather low speeds. In fact, they may only be traveling at an average speed of 30 miles per hour.
In this guide, we have explained that drone propellers can be dangerous for you if you fly them near you. So, if you are planning to buy a drone, you should be aware of this. This article provides you with the best tips on how to protect yourself from drone propellers.
Frequently Asked Questions (can Drone Propellers Hurt You)
Can Drone Propellers Cut You?
The answer: Yes, drone propellers can cut you.
- Drills and saws are sharp. The blades of a drill or saw are designed to cut through wood, metal, stone and other tough materials. A drone propeller is also designed to cut through tough material like wood, metal or stone. If a propeller gets caught in your clothing or hair it could easily slice through the fabric or strands of your hair and cause injuries.
- You might be wondering if propellers can hurt you when they aren’t spinning very fast? The answer is yes! Propellers move very fast (even when hovering) so even if they aren’t spinning at full speed they could still cause cuts if they accidentally hit something such as your leg while hovering over top of it while working on an outdoor project like building a deck in the backyard!
Can Tiny Drones Cut Your Skin?
Drone propellers are made of plastic and can cut skin, but it’s not likely. When you get hit by a drone propeller, the motor inside is going to stop working and the propeller will probably come off. You’ll have to repair or replace your drone if this happens.
If you’re worried about getting cut by a small drone propeller, wear protective clothing like long sleeves and pants when operating your drone outdoors.
What If You Get Hit In The Eye With A Drone Propeller?
If you get hit in the eye by a drone propeller, you could lose an eye. You could also get a serious infection or even have your cornea scratched. If you haven’t already done so, it’s best to wear safety goggles when operating drones.
- An object such as a drone propeller can be propelled at such high speeds that it can cause some severe damage if it hits you directly on the eye. Propellers are designed to spin very fast and produce powerful thrust for flight stability and propulsion.
- A blade which makes contact with your eye can cause serious damage whether it penetrates into the surface of your eyeball or not. In either case there will be significant pain and bleeding from ruptured capillaries within seconds as well as possibly blindness if any part of the structure is damaged during impact
You Can’t Stop A Spinning Propeller With Your Finger, Right?
You should never stop a spinning propeller with your finger. It’s true, you can’t. The spinning propeller is very fast and it’s made of lightweight plastic that can cut your finger off. You need to use a drone propeller stopper, which stops the propeller from spinning. The best drone propeller stopper is the [Drone Propeller Stopper]
What If I Get Hit In The Head By A Drone Propeller?
If a propeller hits you, seek medical attention immediately. Propellers are sharp, and they can cause serious injury. If you see someone get hit in the head with a drone propeller, call 911 immediately.
If you’re the one who was hit in the head by a drone propeller, do not wait to seek treatment for your wound; the longer you wait, the greater risk of infection and other complications from your injury that could require more extensive care down the line.
How Do I Avoid Getting Injured By My Drone’s Spinning Propellers?
As a general rule of thumb, you should avoid flying your drone near people, animals and power lines. In addition to being potentially dangerous for you and the people around you, it is also illegal in many countries.
Here are some more tips:
- Avoid flying drones at night or during bad weather conditions (light rain or fog) as this can make it difficult to see where exactly your drone is going.
- Be careful not to fly your drone over crowds of people — especially large crowds that may include children. This is particularly important if there’s any chance that someone could get hurt by falling debris from the propeller blades (like rocks).
What Else Should I Be Aware Of When Operating My Drone?
- Be aware of your surroundings. While flying a drone, you need to make sure that you are not in close proximity to other people or objects. If you are new to operating drones, it is best to practice at home before taking it out in public areas such as parks, football stadiums and beaches. It is also important that you keep an eye on any potential obstacles such as trees or overhead wires when flying your drone for the first time so that you don’t cause harm or damage to yourself or others around you by crashing into them with your drone.
- Be aware of the environment around where you are flying your drone as some areas may be off-limits due to environmental factors like heat sources (such as fires), windy conditions and rain/snowfall which can interfere with how effective certain features within the flight software will work.
- Ensure there are no restrictions with regards how far away from populated areas one may fly their UAVs – especially if they have good cameras attached!
