Accidents and lessons learned.

[capecodtree]

We all benefit from lessons we have learned the hard way. Let's share our experiences and maybe save someone else the aggravation, or pain, we have gone through.
Experience:
When I was a rookie climber, working for a large nation wide tree company, I was health pruning a large oak tree in Wellflet, MA. After climbing at least half way into the crown, I hung my pole saw above my
head on a branch within easy reach. As I advanced higher into the tree I forgot about the polesaw and I hit it off the branch with my elbow. The polesaw fell just grazing my right forearm, unfortunatly it was the sharp side. The resulting cut was long, deep and clean. I was lucky the arm still worked well enough that I could get myself out of the tree. I drove myself to a walk in medical clinic bleeding through the bandages applied by the self appointed "doc" of the tree crew. The girl at the front desk was very pregnant and asked to see the cut. When I showed her she started throwing up, what a day!
Lesson:
I still climb with a pole saw but I always hang the saw, as you should, with the sharp side facing away from me and far enough away that I won't come into contact with it when climbing. You better believe I am always aware of were that polesaw is!

 

[prentice110]

Second year as a pro I saw one of the best climbers Ive ever seen lose a pole pruner like that. The hook got his collar bone. It was ugly, but he got lucky. Kinda glancing and bounced off. Didnt break it, but he moved that arm slow for a while. You ever see a small dead stick fall out of a red oak or something similar, yell 'HEADACHE!!!" and the groundie looks up to see, and the helmet does nothing cause they are now watching the stick get em' in the forehead just below the brim? Ive seen that at least 3 times. Think it mightve even happend to me b4

 

[prentice110]

You know those guys that use the giant ladder snap to hang the saw on their saddle? I know a guy that likes to take GIANT pieces. One time the drop line zinged past him on a huge fast moving ropeshot, gets hooked in the NONLOCKING ladder snap, and took him for a 60ft swing. He didnt use a ladder snap after that. and I think he said he had to change his pants too.

 

[TreeAce]

I am pretty good about keeping a lookout on that pole saw cuz I have this big fear that its gonna fall and slice my ear off! In recent years I have found comfort in the thought that I now ALWAYS (well, almost) wear my helmet w/ear muffs so I doubt it could really happen. But that saw will no doubt cut the heck outa ya that IS a fact. I often just take the time to use a piece of cord and just tie it off and let in hang off my saddle. I have found the trick is to just take the extra time to put the scabbard on the blade when you hang it off that cord or its just knicken and cutting up everything. Ofcourse, on some trees its just not worth messing with that cord...if there are lots of handy hanging spots then the heck with it.