FamilyFarm
Gold Member
We have 3 Stihl saws and my older sons are very skilled with them. My 18 y.o. probably has well over 100 hours cutting experience and has been cutting wood for 4 years or so. He has always used chaps, gloves, ear, eye and head protection. He wears leather boots as well.
Last week, in one of those freak events, the 361 got away from him. The end of the bar got to his left foot. The chain cut through 2 layers of leather and into his foot, severing the tendon to the big toe, ripping out a few nerves and taking a piece out of the bone. It barely missed the main artery. He had surgery and is recuperating fine, but will have 6 weeks of keeping off the foot entirely and keeping it elevated. After that, it will be a very slow process to complete recovery (sans a few nerves that couldn't be repaired).
Could it have been prevented? He will tell you although it happened so quickly, he was too relaxed in knowing what he was doing and having no fear of danger. It probably could have been prevented, even without chainsaw approved boots.
So for all of us that think it won't happen to us . . . it might!
Terry
Last week, in one of those freak events, the 361 got away from him. The end of the bar got to his left foot. The chain cut through 2 layers of leather and into his foot, severing the tendon to the big toe, ripping out a few nerves and taking a piece out of the bone. It barely missed the main artery. He had surgery and is recuperating fine, but will have 6 weeks of keeping off the foot entirely and keeping it elevated. After that, it will be a very slow process to complete recovery (sans a few nerves that couldn't be repaired).
Could it have been prevented? He will tell you although it happened so quickly, he was too relaxed in knowing what he was doing and having no fear of danger. It probably could have been prevented, even without chainsaw approved boots.
So for all of us that think it won't happen to us . . . it might!
Terry