CARELESS KNUCKLEHEAD + CHAINSAW = EMERGENCY ROOM

[meledward23]

Part of Keith's Question which also has my interest is is there a difference between one chap and another?

Anything particular to pay attention to when buying one?



(I think I have read and learned more about Saws in the last few days here, than I ever knew about them.)

 

[Varmintmist]

Lowes sells Husky chaps for under 60 bucks around here. Nylon over kevlar and I can attest to the fact that they work. The first and only time I have ever tapped a leg with a saw was the first day I had chaps on. Shut down a Husky 359 right now, never touched me.

The only ones I have ever seen are the canvas type or the nylon type. As long as they stop the saw I dont care what color or material they are made out of. I have a older set that are canvas and the newer nylon.

Any saw shop that I have ever seen carries chaps. I would bet that HD has them and anywhere you can buy a saw has them or could get them for you.

Even if you never hit yourself in the leg with a saw, they are just plain outstanding to bull through multiflora rose to cut wood.

 

[PhilNH5]

I am just a wekkend cutter. There are much more experienced loggers here such as beenthere, youare and 5030. But the chainsaw scares me enough that I do lots of reading and seek out experienced users before I do anything.

That being said this is my limited knowledge of the chaps. They do NOT prevent the saw from cutting. They have lots of long fibers that get caught up in the drive wheel and clog the saw enough so it stops.
The outer material is personal preference but is mostly designed to withstand the rigors of working in the woods.

Elvex has a good website that explains chap protection.

Phil


Well I went back and carefully read the Elvex site. They make the long fiber type chaps but they do say they are kelvar chaps available that prevent you from being cut.

 

[beenthere]

Forestry Suppliers is where I buy mine. There are 'chaps' that just cover the front and sides of the legs, and ones that have legs you step into. I like the chaps, not the pants. Just my preference.
Kevlar chaps

My first 'cut' on mine caused the saw to stop immediately with kevlar fibers wrapped up in the clutch. Good to go after removing the fibers. I ordered a new pair of chaps cause the old ones had the top layer and the kevlar opened up pretty good. The saw didn't go through the second layer of canvas.
I find them great to use just to get through the briars. Also, I use them when splitting as they give good protection when moving logs about.
The second pair of chaps have a knick out of them, as the saw just bounced off my knee. I didn't even think it was still moving, but the cut it made in the chaps was real convincing to a guy (ambulance driver) who earlier that day was kidding me about my 'clown' outfit (referring to my chaps). When he saw what the saw did, he turned white in the face and said " I'm going to buy a pair of those this afternoon". He knew where we were cutting that he would have been in for some first aid work and carrying me a long way off that hill and out of the woods, if it were not for the chaps.

Another thing to carry with you, is first aid 'first response' things. Something to stop blood flow. A logger in Alaska that was cutting trees for me showed me his trick, and that was to carry a female sanitary napkin (Kotex) in his hard hat above the webbing. He said it was perfect if he would get a cut, to stop blood flow when tied on over the wound. If flow isn't stopped quickly, its curtains.

He also used a 'panty liner' on the headband of his hardhat to soak up sweat. Now I tried that, but my wife wasn't impressed and I didn't like the perfume smell. So I don't do that one. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Farwell]

I heard a rumor that they sell a non perfumed panty liner. You may want ask your wife to switch brands. If she will not change brands, you may have to purchase your own. I won't tell I promise.
I knew that sanitary napkins had to have another use. I thought about putting them on my pole barn floor to soak up the oil that keeps dripping from my John Deere but was fearful of starting rumors around my neighborhood.
Kidding of course. I think it is a great safety idea that could save a life. In the Army we carried some things that looked suspiciously similar to a sanitary pad in our kits.
I have leather chaps, after reading this thread I think I will go shopping for Kevlar. I did not know the Kevlar chaps existed, thanks for the education.
Farwell

 

[dmccarty]

Don't worry if they chaps have kevlar inside. I have a pair that I bought at my Sthil dealer years ago that has some kind of polyester inside. It just needs to stop the chain. I think I spent about $50 on the chaps and another $50 for the helment with full face screen and ear protection. Money well spent. I have nicked my chaps and that was close enough as I ever want to get. It was not cut enough to stop the saw just enough to make a slight cut in the chaps. I noticed the cut after I was finished sawing.

I know some people don't want to wear the safety equipment but I'll be danged if I understand why. If the equipment prevents me from going to the ER its worth the cost. Just the lost time of going to the ER more than pays for the equipment. Not to mention if you are seriously hurt or killed. The equipment is just simple cheap insurance.

Later,
Dan

 

[wksinatl]

I just got back from Lowes. I bought the ones made buy Husky (thanks Varmintmist). They were 56 bucks.

The Kotex trick does work. I need to make up a small kit and keep it on the tractor.

I heard MANY worse chainsaw stories while waiting at the ER.
Having time to think about it, here is ther way I see it:

I should NOT have been doing chainsaw work alone.
I KNOWINGLY used the saw improperly
I did NOT have the proper first aid kit on the tractor (to stop the bleeding)
I could NOT find the proper first aid gear once I got to the house
I did NOT wear safety chaps (which I bought today)
I did have my mobile phone
I did not panic
my Wife did not panic (very cool in a jam)
I was given a scond chance (by the grace of God)

BE SAFE!!!

 

[PhilNH5]

Beenthere,
You have helped me tons when it comes to cutting wood. So I hope this piece of info is not offensive. I looked at your link and the pants are USFS certified. According to the ELVEX link the USFS cert is a design and materials specification with no performance requirements. Elvex states you need the ASTM or UL listing to get the full protection. You are miles ahead of me in experience and knowledge on this stuff so you may already know this.

Phil

 

[beenthere]

Thanks, and not offensive at all.
But ELVEX is selling and giving a sales pitch, near as I can tell. I wouldn't be offended if someone wears the ELVEX brand, vs the ones certified by the USFS (US Forest Service).
But I think, for me, the USFS has likely more non-commercial testing and less bias in that testing (our Gov't funds at work /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif ), so I think I'll stick with the USFS for my chaps. I suspect the comercial pitch can truthfully say what they do because the USFS did their own testing, and it wasn't done by a third party testing lab such as UL. I really don't know though.
Besides, I've been saved by these chaps with a direct, full-throttle contact of the moving chain on my leg. Not something I would do on purpose to test them out. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[meledward23]

I guess I will throw this in here since we are discussing chainsaws and safety.

I have a co-worker who would pass for Ol St. Nick any day of the year. Taht belly is so round and tight it looks like a pregnant woman. His shirt hangs off the top side of his stomach and leaves about a 10" gap between where it hangs and his flesh. Even in 30 degree weather that is all he wears.

Cleaning up on the boss mans property after an ice storm, he was helping his buddy (these two are never apart). cut a tree. Lynch was cuttting on the tree with the saw. I am not sure what St Nick was doing, but he was off to the side and behind him. the Chainsaw snagged and Lynch jerked it back. It went between the shirt and his body hitting that stomach. It obviously cut into the gut. He went to the ER and got stitched up and was back on the job in three days.

However, ER Doc said, well, it appears if he was any skinnier or if the saw had gone any deeper he would have had some serious issues. Also lucky that the saw didnt get into the Tshirt, as the shirt most likely would have pulled the saw into him more....

Beats me, but it goes back to what you always here. Dont stand behind someone using a Welder, Chainsaw, etc....