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What Are Finger Traps?

Of all the gag toys on the market, finger traps can literally be the toughest to get out of. They may appear small and harmless, but if you don't know how to break free from them, you can be in for a stressful experience. While finger traps are mostly known as gag gifts, a different variety of finger trap is used for medical purposes.

Chinese Finger Trap
- When someone uses the term "finger trap," they most likely are talking about Chinese finger traps. It is very likely that you have seen a Chinese finger trap at least once. These novelty toys are usually small and made of interwoven, multicolored pieces of straw. People use them as party favors and carnival prizes. The idea is for unsuspecting victims to place both of their index fingers into the corresponding openings of the finger trap. When they try to pull their fingers out, they discover that their fingers are stuck.
Breaking Free from a Chinese Finger Trap
- Although it initially seems tricky, breaking free from a Chinese finger trap really isn't. The trick is to push rather than to pull. Since the finger trap is woven, the stitches tighten around your fingers as you pull out. It might be counterintuitive, but the secret here is to push your fingers together. This loosens the stitches rather than tightening them. Usually people have trouble the first time they find themselves caught in a finger trap, but once they learn this tip, getting out becomes intuitive.
Medical Finger Traps
- Not all finger traps are for practical jokes. Medical professionals actually use finger traps in surgery to immobilize joints. These finger traps serve a similar purpose to traction devices. Finger traps are only sold to licensed medical professionals and associations and are generally disposed of after one use. Oddly enough, the design of these more practical finger traps was inspired by the Chinese finger traps.
Finger Traps in Popular Culture
- Finger traps have made many appearances in films and television shows. They can add a little bit of levity to a dramatic situation. In an episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation," Data, the crew's resident android, gets his fingers stuck in a Chinese finger trap while briefing the crew on important information for a mission. Although Data is a highly intelligent being, he struggles to break free. No matter how smart you are, you can still be foiled by a finger trap.

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