Some of you might remember the dreadful tale of my friend José, who nearly severed his foot with a chainsaw. Luckily (if that's the right word) the accident happened not too far from our house and he (only just) managed to drive here before collapsing outside our kitchen door. We did the necessary, called the emergency services, and he was eventually flown by helicopter to Bordeaux where they patched him up. It took him almost a year to fully recover.
An almost identical accident happened a few days ago to the brother of a friend, but he was not so lucky.
For some strange reason (probably shock) he packed up all his belongings, then drove quite some distance to his own home; where he died at the bottom of the steps that led up to the house. We later heard that he was 'drained of blood'.
He could easily have stopped en route at any one of several houses, including one of a nurse, but preferred to try to reach his own. Instead of stopping for help, he bled to death.
Chainsaws are extremely dangerous things, and complacency can easily replace common sense. My own saw (above) is small compared to many, but the damage it can do is exactly the same.
I suppose, like all chainsaw owners, I occasionally do silly things, and I reproach myself afterwards. So let all of us, who own such things, remind ourselves daily and be aware of the dangers. Treat these vicious machines with the respect they deserve.
Our lives really are at stake.
I absolutely agree here Cro. The same applies to any sort of 'machinery' - I think folk who regularly use such things can become complacent - farming accidents are not unheard of round here - tractors turning over and trapping farmers, falling trees landing on folk cutting them down - that sort of thing.
ReplyDeleteYour timely warning should be heeded by everyone.
I witnessed one chainsaw injury when I was a student nurse
ReplyDeleteI never want to see another
I've just come indoors from sawing logs. I was especially cautious after writing and posting the above. I'm pleased to say I'm heeding my own advice!
ReplyDeleteDodgy bits of kit, even in experienced hands. All chainsaws should be fitted with kick back guards and chain brakes. A modern safety chain could be fitted to older chainsaws to reduce the chance of kick back. Unless you are an expert, forget ever allowing the last 30% of the cutting bar to come into contact with whatever it is you are cutting as it is the tip binding in that causes a kick back. Kick backs when they occur happen in a nano-second and there is nothing you can do. You haven't even the time to blink, much less avoid the cutting edge. The golden rule when cutting, of course, is to make sure your body is not behind the line of the cut but to one side so that if it does kick back, the blade misses you. I have seen countless idiots make that mistake. Also, have the chain professionally sharpened regularly or change it for a new one; like most tools, be they kitchen knives, chisels or chain saws, blunt blades are dangerous. Finally, if you do buy a chainsaw for the first time, buy the best one you can afford and go on a one day course to learn how to use it and how to avoid placing yourself in danger, it may just save your life.
ReplyDeleteHere endeth the lesson, please don't go in pieces.
All duly noted. Kick back is nasty; hopefully our first experience of it teaches us the essential lessons.
DeleteSound advice. Never use one without a kick back plate. Never use one without the plate being in contact with the tree or log. They are not strimmers.
DeleteI think isolation is a big cause of accidents in the countryside. Smallholders struggling on their own or with machinery. Thanks for warning others of the dangers from chainsaws.
ReplyDeleteHate the things. I'm always on edge when himself is using one on the trees. Tourniquet at the ready...
ReplyDeleteSame here. When I hear the chainsaw going I tend to "hang around" in case he has an accident. As he is on warfarin I feel a little more anxious than I used to. He has used a chainsaw for 20 years now and never had even a suggestion of an accident, but you never know
ReplyDeleteGill
Oh my god, what a terrible shame. Poor fellow.
ReplyDeleteI hate those things as I know of people who have been injured.
ReplyDeleteThey are VERY dangerous....When we have a tree to be felled I call in a professional AND make sure they have the appropriate insurance.
ReplyDeleteI have worked with all sorts of machinery in my time as a grease monkey and seen so many injuries that could, and should, have been avoided. Complacency is one of the biggest culprits aside taking shortcuts to meet production expectations. Tis far better to take double the time and walk away unscathed than loose part of your body or worse.
ReplyDeleteNot one for power tools as I have seen my share nasty foolish accidents. Thirty nine years ago I sold my Landscaping business and with it went all my chainsaws, power mowers etc. I cut logs the old fashioned way with wood log holder and a hand saw.
ReplyDeleteThat poor man. :(
ReplyDeleteI'm always a wreck when hubs is out using the chainsaw...I hate them.
I took a chainsaw safety class last year. They were adamant that we be on guard at all times when wielding one, and insisted that we wear all the safety gear. The boots with kevlar, which help protect don't come in small sizes, so i had to make do with steel-toed boots, and even those are hard to find in small sizes. We had to wear chaps as well, and eye, head, and ear protection.
ReplyDeleteI've had three smaller trees snap over the winter and i know come spring, i'll be firing up the chain saw. Carefully. VERY carefully.