Chainsaw use - alone

[Garandman]

Do not see a Poll option here, but just curious if you ever use the chainsaw while alone. Alone meaning no human within eyesight, earshot, or both.

Only ever used the saw while other family was here, except in emergencies like downed tree across driveway. But I am falling behind on my projects, some of which count on taking logs out of our woods while the ground is still frozen. There is excellent cell reception here, but if I cannot use the phone that is no help.

A lot of people say no way! while many others say, Be extra careful. Most of what I need to do is low on the difficulty scale: cutting downed or felled trees to log length to carry them out.

“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 36,000 people are injured by chainsaws annually. The average chainsaw injury requires 110 stitches.” pretty sobering.

 

[ArlyA]

Nope and will not ever again, after completing my NFS sawyer certification training. Not worth it. My life does have minimal value.

 

[Thomas]

I have many...many...many times.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I say I won't, but I do. Not tree felling or marathon sessions though.

I bet a lot of people get hurt cutting off tree limbs.

 

[LouNY]

If I didn't use a saw unless someone was around I'd almost never use it.
So almost all the time.

 

[MossRoad]

I tell my wife where to find the body if I don't come home for dinner.

And I drive on country roads alone, too.

More likely to get injured driving than using the chainsaw.

In all seriousness, though, I don't have much of a choice but to work alone in the woods. Sometimes my wife will have time off, and she'll come out and read a book while I'm felling trees. That's the time I'm most worried about something happening. Once they are on the ground, I can take my time and cut them up at my leisure, being very cautious and conscientious as to what I'm doing. Also, when I start getting tired, I quit right there and then. Take a break. Drink some gatorade, eat a sandwich, even take a nap. Never work with a chainsaw when you're tired.

 

[widefat]

Yes. You can mitigate most of the dangers by using safe practices and common sense.
and what Moss said : "Also, when I start getting tired, I quit right there and then. Take a break. Drink some gatorade, eat a sandwich, even take a nap. Never work with a chainsaw when you're tired."
DONT use a chainsaw when you are tired, people around or not.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

IF, I wouldn't run a chainsaw when I was alone, a LOT less chain sawing would get done around here.

I prefer to have someone with me while felling, but that doesn't always happen either.

I have some big damaged maples that need to be taken down right now, and I'm trying to get my friend to come help me get them on the ground, soon...

SR

 

[rekees4300]

Do not see a Poll option here, but just curious if you ever use the chainsaw while alone. Alone meaning no human within eyesight, earshot, or both.

Only ever used the saw while other family was here, except in emergencies like downed tree across driveway. But I am falling behind on my projects, some of which count on taking logs out of our woods while the ground is still frozen. There is excellent cell reception here, but if I cannot use the phone that is no help.

A lot of people say no way! while many others say, Be extra careful. Most of what I need to do is low on the difficulty scale: cutting downed or felled trees to log length to carry them out.

é„*ccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 36,000 people are injured by chainsaws annually. The average chainsaw injury requires 110 stitches. pretty sobering.

In a perfect world we could all have a doctor with us during chainsaw use. Unfortunately this is not a perfect world. You are lucky to have family to help and excellent cell reception. Both of those factors should be utilized. However for those of us who must use a chainsaw alone, without cell reception, we should at least let somebody know our location and the expected time for project completion. It goes without saying safety measures such as chaps, helmets, gloves, and common sense should always be followed.

 

[Industrial Toys]

A few weeks ago, I left the front door and reminded myself to be safe. A few minutes later, I had fallen flat on my back on some ice in the barn, from melting snow and flooding. Not sure, thinking SAFE, always helps!

Knock on wood, I have never as much as gotten a scratch from a chainsaw. I usually only wear glasses and hearing protection, but should wear a hard hat when felling trees. Always think of it afterwards. Like bringing wedges!

 

[jeff9366]

I do almost all my chainsaw work alone. I have been sawing mostly alone for thirty years.

I keep a chainsaw oriented First Aid assembly in my utility vehicles, which carries my two saws, fuel, wedges, etc. The First Aid assembly contains numerous LARGE wound dressings, surgical tape and 2" wide velcro tape. The velcro can pressure wound dressings or serve as a tourniquet. While by myself I would seldom be longer than six of seven minutes in the utility vehicle from home.

In thirty years I have never had a chainsaw accident, although a couple pairs of 'loggers' jeans have been somewhat rent. I always wear a hat, safety glasses, boots and long jeans. I live in Florida. During Florida winter, IF it is cool, I wear Kevlar chaps.

At age 71 I do not fell trees. I only cut trees already on the ground. Some Oaks are 50" in diameter at the base. Probably about three more years of this activity is reasonable. Perhaps I will have to relinquish the 7-hp Stihl tree-eater/man-eater before that time.

 

[rekees4300]

A few weeks ago, I left the front door and reminded myself to be safe. A few minutes later, I had fallen flat on my back on some ice in the barn, from melting snow and flooding. Not sure, thinking SAFE, always helps!

Knock on wood, I have never as much as gotten a scratch from a chainsaw. I usually only wear glasses and hearing protection, but should wear a hard hat when felling trees. Always think of it afterwards. Like bringing wedges!

No thinking safe doesn't always help, random stuff out of our control happens, but thinking safe will increase the odds of avoiding injury. Day dreaming while using a chainsaw is VERY dangerous.

 

[rekees4300]

At age 71 I do not fell trees. I only cut trees already on the ground. Some Oaks are 50" in diameter at the base. Probably about three more years of this activity is reasonable.

As a fellow senior citizen, thank you for posting that. There's a large dead Ash tree leaning toward the pond. Been thinking about felling it and trying to control its angle of fall away from the pond since pulling it out of the pond would be a PITA project. It's an extremely dangerous situation with large dead limbs (definite widow makers) and I've been pondering whether or not felling is worth the risk? Perhaps it would be best just to let time/gravity take its course? PITA is better than DOA. Maybe now is the time to begin following your "I only cut trees already on the ground" excellent senior citizen advice? :thumbsup:

 

[deserteagle71]

If I didn't use a saw unless someone was around I'd almost never use it.
So almost all the time.

That's me too!

 

[Oldoak]

I have many...many...many times.

As did I and still do. If I had to wait for someone to accompany me every time I used a chain saw, I wouldn't get much done at all.

And two professional loggers that I have met in the neighboring woods also do all the tree felling on their own.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Actually, it wouldn't surprise me if logging injuries were often caused by someone else. It's easier to cut someone else with a chainsaw.

 

[Jchonline]

I do saw alone but I keep a radio and someone is always a few hundred yards away. I also wear full PPE (steel boots, Kevlar pants, gloves, helmet, eye pro) all the time.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Shorts, crocks and a wife beater for me. lol

A relaxed comfortable logger is a safe logger.

 

[ArlyA]

Approximately 50% of saw cuts are found above your belt.

I do saw alone but I keep a radio and someone is always a few hundred yards away. I also wear full PPE (steel boots, Kevlar pants, gloves, helmet, eye pro) all the time.

 

[nybirdman]

Cut alone(sometimes) but use safety gear+cell phone.I had a friend seriously injured a couple years ago
compound fractures(he was alone) lucky came to and was able to reach his cell phone.He was very lucky to survive.Two year recovery.He was very experienced having cutting for 30+ years.