How close have you come

1930 · Apr 26, 2019

To cutting a limb off or damaging something very badly.

Im looking for the best you tube video on proper use of a chainsaw. ( any suggestions ) Ive been using them since I was old enough to carry but evidently I need to re think how I use and respect the saw and Ive also been reminded that technically no one ever told me a right or wrong way.

Recently I was in the woods and cut open the same pair of shorts not once but twice within a couple hours time period, just wasnt paying enough attentions. Shredded the shorts in 2 places, didnt give me a scratch.

Secondly this weekend had a chain snap, chain wacked me in the knad, lots of pain, dropping to the ground, expected to see lots of blood, not so much as a scratch.

I need to count my blessings.

msmith · Apr 26, 2019

I have torn a set of insulated duck bibs that my wife had to patch. I was young and dumb.

Search chainsaw safety on the youtube. There are a myriad of videos. I seen Stihl has a few.

I would start, if I were you, by ditching the shorts and wearing work pants and chaps. When the bar isn't in the wood, apply the brake.

Here is a good video to start with. Lots of good info

MossRoad · Apr 26, 2019

You're wearing shorts while operating a chainsaw? Or did you mean your underwear?

RandyT · Apr 26, 2019

Two teeth left a two inch gash on left elbow, Six inch gash on outer layer of insulated coveralls about half way between groin and knee on left thigh and landed about 10 feet behind were I was standing flat on my back with the wind knocked out of me.

Wagtail · Apr 27, 2019

A video is one thing... you need to take a course on chainsaw use/operation/safety/maintenance.

I don't know who, in your area of the world, offers such a course but they are out there.

Here in Australia the local SES (State Emergency Service) or TAFE (trade school) offer this course to the 'homeowner'/non-forestry tradie.

Nothing compares to practical experience, learnt from a professional. Bad habits are nipped in the bud this way.

redman135 · Apr 27, 2019

2015 first major (broken bone)accident. cutting a poplar tree off a fence on a slope. Was cutting from the low side with a block to prevent a run away, and going to complete cut from high side(awkward angle). Over cut and the log got away and rolled over my right ankle , broke the outside part of the ankle bone and did a number on the heel bone/ligaments.
The old saw about broken bones aching before rain is right.

oosik · Apr 27, 2019

I've had two "incidents". Both I attribute to fatigue. Cut a small gash in the toe of my steel toed boot. Had the still rotating chain engage the leg of my pants. No damage to any body parts. The boots and pants survived OK. Both are still used.

I now use a smaller Stihl and acknowledge the onset of fatigue.

SJay · Apr 27, 2019

I have cut 2 pairs of pants in the same spot. They are Duluth Trading pants that have extra material in the front - thankfully only the pants where damage. Mine wasn't fatigue, but arrogance. I pay better attention now.

groundcover · Apr 27, 2019

I’ll second the suggestion to get some real hands on training, even paying a top notch arborist in your area will be pennies on the dollar compared to a trip to the emergency room and a lot less painful too !

Thomas · Apr 27, 2019

Over the years had some encounters from losing my footing to saw kicking back in hurry or tried,problem with chainsaw it doesn't cut it rips flesh,older I've become slower and now double think before cutting.

fruitcakesa · Apr 27, 2019

My worst case of chainsaw stupidity happened when I was cutting out the log wall on my home to install a set of french doors.
It was a warm spring day, so no helmet, chaps or gloves were in use.
I was standing near the top of an old wooden step ladder that was poorly set on rough ground.
Of course, in the middle of a cut, the ladder decided to topple over.
For some idiotic reason I did not drop the saw as I fell and in the tumble, the still rotating chain hit the top my left hand between the thumb and first finger. Blood was everywhere and my wife came running at my call for help.
Miraculously, the chain only cut "non-essential" flesh and no bone, tendon or ligament was touched.
I have had to endure my wife's I told you so's since but also have been a scrupulous user of total safety gear when I cut.

Jstpssng · Apr 27, 2019

Back when I was young and dumb I cut a pair of chaps almost in half while doing powerline R/W maintenance. The saw went through them like butter but I felt them pulling so picked the saw up just as it went through my jeans and put a 1 inch slice in my kneecap. I made 3 more cuts before it registered what I'd done; I shut the saw off, walked up to the foreman with the chaps in one hand and my saw in the other and he simply said "I'll see you back at the motel."

I agree with others, watching a video isn't enough; it's best to get some hands on training.

PS: There are days when you simply shouldn't be running a saw; the scenario I mentioned above was one of those. It was a Monday AM and I had worked late at my weekend job; I was so tired on my 200 mile commute that I was falling asleep on my motorcycle, eventually pulling over and taking a nap stretched out on an asphalt parking lot.

coobie · Apr 27, 2019

Jstpssng said:
Back when I was young and dumb I cut a pair of chaps almost in half while doing powerline R/W maintenance. The saw went through them like butter but I felt them pulling so picked the saw up just as it went through my jeans and put a 1 inch slice in my kneecap. I made 3 more cuts before it registered what I'd done; I shut the saw off, walked up to the foreman with the chaps in one hand and my saw in the other and he simply said "I'll see you back at the motel."

I agree with others, watching a video isn't enough; it's best to get some hands on training.

PS: There are days when you simply shouldn't be running a saw; the scenario I mentioned above was one of those. It was a Monday AM and I had worked late at my weekend job; I was so tired on my 200 mile commute that I was falling asleep on my motorcycle, eventually pulling over and taking a nap stretched out on an asphalt parking lot.

Good story,thanks.

John_Mc · Apr 27, 2019

The first thing is to get yourself some proper personal protective equipment: some chainsaw chaps or protective pants, a helmet, hearing and eye protection. There are lots of folks who seem to think they are just too tough to need this stuff or that their superior coordination.skills/intelligence will keep them out of trouble. However, a chainsaw doesn't care how tough you think you are (or even how tough you actually are), and no one plans to have an accident. The ER rooms are full of people who thought they'd be OK, for whatever reason.

As others have noted, the place to start is with some organized, well thought out hand-on training. YouTube is a poor substitute. Finding a friend or neighbor who seems to know their stuff is only slightly better: it's hard to say whether they really have any knowledge to impart. Also, even if someone knows how to safely operate a saw, that alone is no guarantee they have any skill at teaching others.

The best chainsaw safety and productivity training I've seen in my area is through the Game Of Logging (GOL). At least the guys teaching it in my area are top-notch teachers and well organized. I've heard the same about those in neighboring states. However, all of the training organizations seem to be concentrated in the Northeast.

Tim Ard of Forest Applications Training teaches a very similar program. I have no personal experience with him, nor have I met someone who has been through his training, but what I hear through the grapevine is good. He travels around a number of states, but seems to have some concentration in the Southeastern US.

Neither GOL or Forest Applications are cheap, but they are cheaper than a trip to the ER, and better than ending up with scars that scare the heck out of your kids.

wheelbuilder · Apr 27, 2019

At the very least you should read thru the US Forest Service's chainsaw operator's course student's book. It's free from them. If you can actually take the class, all the better.

fruitcakesa · Apr 28, 2019

John_Mc said:
The first thing is to get yourself some proper personal protective equipment: some chainsaw chaps or protective pants, a helmet, hearing and eye protection. There are lots of folks who seem to think they are just too tough to need this stuff or that their superior coordination.skills/intelligence will keep them out of trouble. However, a chainsaw doesn't care how tough you think you are (or even how tough you actually are), and no one plans to have an accident. The ER rooms are full of people who thought they'd be OK, for whatever reason.

As others have noted, the place to start is with some organized, well thought out hand-on training. YouTube is a poor substitute. Finding a friend or neighbor who seems to know their stuff is only slightly better: it's hard to say whether they really have any knowledge to impart. Also, even if someone knows how to safely operate a saw, that alone is no guarantee they have any skill at teaching others.

The best chainsaw safety and productivity training I've seen in my area is through the Game Of Logging (GOL). At least the guys teaching it in my area are top-notch teachers and well organized. I've heard the same about those in neighboring states. However, all of the training organizations seem to be concentrated in the Northeast.

Tim Ard of Forest Applications Training teaches a very similar program. I have no personal experience with him, nor have I met someone who has been through his training, but what I hear through the grapevine is good. He travels around a number of states, but seems to have some concentration in the Southeastern US.

Neither GOL or Forest Applications are cheap, but they are cheaper than a trip to the ER, and better than ending up with scars that scare the heck out of your kids.

I took a local GOL course years ago, a gift from my wife, and have blessed her for it as my safety and falling skills prior to taking it were "self taught".
I no longer approach a leaning tree with trepidation since I can control it safely. Along with all the other basic safety items such as chain brake on whenever you move more than a few steps.

John_Mc · Apr 28, 2019

I said my piece above about getting some formal training above.

If you still want to find some good videos, check out this series by Husqvarna. It's very similar to what is taught in the Level 1 Game of Logging class. It's no substitute for attending the live class, but it is a good set of videos.
Husqvarna Chainsaw Usage and Safety Training