Chainsaw use - alone

[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.