Chainsaw use - alone

[rlneal]

Last Saturday, my next door neighbor asked me to help cut down a relatively large, dead tree. I knew already that most of the branches had already fallen off, he wanted to take down the rest of it. When I got to the site, I noticed that they had burned a lot of the logs and the trunk was still smoldering. So I was not going to put my chainsaw into a burning tree. He and his wife had arrived by now so we looked at the tree next to it that was also dead. Very dead. One main branch sticking up and one 6 inch branch coming off to the side. I cut that down but as it was falling, the 6 inch rotten branch broke off and clobbered me in the side of the head, the cheekbone. It hurt a lot but really just broke the skin. Could have been much worse. So then we looked at the next two trees, both of which were dead with most of the limbs already fallen off. These were good sized trees and some of the remaining branches were broken and still up in the tree. The neighbor (husband) was concerned about the tree falling down onto the fence which would allow the cows to get out. I was reluctant to do anything with these two trees because I did not want any more branches falling on me. The neighbor (wife) agreed saying, "We can fix the fence, if need be". So we thought the safest thing to do was to let nature take them down.

 

[MossRoad]

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.

Honest story:
Last year, a close friend of ours, retired, about 58 yers old, was playing golf with a young friend in his 30's. They played 18 and decide to play 9 more. On the 27th green, 58 year old keels over from massive heart attack. DEAD! His 30ish year old friend IS A DOCTOR! Performs CPR for about 10 minutes until ambulance arrives. Guy lives! :confused2: We joke if he wants to help us cut our lawns, do our firewood, etc.... :laughing:

 

[TractorNH]

The buddy system is always best. In an ideal world you would be alert enough to overcome the shock of what happened to you and make a phone call but there are plenty of possible accidents that would prevent that from happening. Example, if a branch or tree broke off and pinned you to the ground or knocked you out cold. Going to the actual cut injury scenario, just google "chain saw injury" (but don't do it while eating) and decide if you could render enough first aid by yourself to get out of the woods or even if you could make a phone call.

I'm lucky my dad is retired and is always there when I'm cutting. I also have two young boys who will soon be old enough to keep watch and call 911 on the cell phone and give directions for the EMT's to find me if the need arose.

 

[TractorGuy]

I have but I would catch the wrath of the better half if I was caught at it. We had a guy in our community that let his saw get into his face a few years back so she worries. I hope I never do anything that careless.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Never allow your Ego to make you do something potentially dangerous that common sense tells you to walk away from.

 

[CobyRupert]

Last Saturday, my next door neighbor asked me to help cut down a relatively large, dead tree. I....
...He and his wife had arrived by now so we looked at the tree next to it that was also dead. Very dead. One main branch sticking up and one 6 inch branch coming off to the side. I cut that down but as it was falling, the 6 inch rotten branch broke off and clobbered me in the side of the head, the cheekbone. It hurt a lot but really just broke the skin. Could have been much worse.

I've gotten better at wearing eye and leg protection in addition to hearing protection. I know I should always, but I very rarely wear a hard hat...UNLESS I'm falling a tree that:
1) Shows signs of being dead. Dead branches don't bend, they snap and fall. Sometimes just the movement of the tree triggers them. "aka Widowmakers".
2) Has upper branches that may contact another tree. This is where a tremendous amount of energy may be transferred into one or the other's branches as they pass and rub against each other, bending it so one either shears off or sends a branch flying. "also Widowmakers"

Other than that I saw alone all the time.

 

[Locoweed]

I have been cutting wood for 49+ years without any incidents. I have mostly cut alone for the last 10 years or so. When I do go out with someone it is often a distraction, trying to keep track of what the idiots are doing. Distractions aren't good when operating a chainsaw. When I got to 70, I started wearing chaps when way out & alone. IMHO common sense, experience & taking your time trumps all the PPE in the world. I imagine this will infuriate the current crop of safety freaks that have no common sense about operating dangerous equipment. So be it.

 

[ArlyA]

I'm a dam careful driver and been doing that since the 60s! I'm smart, drive slowly, can still see and use my swollen head at every corner. No one is ever going to tell me I need a seat-belt!

Arly--- still drinks and drives--- A
never had an accident I've needed to admit to.

 

[ovrszd]

I cut alone 99% of the time. I've only had one incident. It wouldn't have been prevented by having a dozen people standing around watching.

It's a bit lengthy so skip if you like.

Fell a 18" oak in thick timber. Planned the direction to land in a patch of small trees. Removed and blocked smaller limbs working my way to the bigger stuff last. Was down to the main log. Was blocking it when I noticed the next cut was going to release a small tree wrist sized that was bent to the ground. Thought it best to cut it off at the ground to eliminate any problem. Reached down and cut it off. Didn't calculate the result. I could see the cut base uncurling and coming straight at me but couldn't avoid it fast enough. I can't understand why my face feels wet. Open my eyes and realize I'm face down on the ground with blood pouring out of my nose. Saw sitting a foot away idling. Got up and wiped my nose with gloved hand. Red with blood. Got dizzy so sat down on the stump hanging my head to avoid bleeding all over myself. Realize my nose is probably broken. Pinched it and move it to hear that grisly sound. Notice it's far to the right. Decide I better set it before the pain kicks in. With both index fingers wrestled it back and forth until it felt pretty straight. By now blood is clotting and pain is setting in. Nose swelled. One eye almost swelled shut. An hour later the gang showed up to 4 wheel in our timber. Enjoyed a great afternoon with everyone. Still gets mentioned occasionally by my wife. I still cut alone.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Resetting your nose conjours up images of Rambo or Col Flagg on MASH. If I hurt myself with too much blood involved, I just start to pass out. Probably a good reason not to wrok alone, right there. Good saw, that keeps idling!