Why shouldn't I "air start" my chainsaw???

[Fried Chicken]

And by "air start" I mean holding the saw in the left hand, and pulling the cord with the right hand.
To me it's the most ergonomic, fastest, and most reliable way to star the saw, but apparently the federal government will lose its **** they see you do this?? (OSHA and other federal lunatics - lawyers).

They suggest putting the saw on the ground, putting your foot in the handle, and pull starting the saw that way.

Even my imagination struggles with this one.... scenario 1: the pull start simultaneously binds, AND the saw starts and shoots to full speed, pivoting around your left hand and tilted into your leg and your leg that gets sawn off?

Scenario 2: the saw starts and the pull start mechanism wraps around the pull string, pulling your right and the saw towards one another, and then when your right hand hits the saw it bashes it up, somehow doesn't trip the chain stop, and into your face?

Is this a bigger concern with larger chainsaws? I just don't get any of this

 

[singinwoodwackr]

And by "air start" I mean holding the saw in the left hand, and pulling the cord with the right hand.
To me it's the most ergonomic, fastest, and most reliable way to star the saw, but apparently the federal government will lose its **** they see you do this?? (OSHA and other federal lunatics - lawyers).

They suggest putting the saw on the ground, putting your foot in the handle, and pull starting the saw that way.

Even my imagination struggles with this one.... scenario 1: the pull start simultaneously binds, AND the saw starts and shoots to full speed, pivoting around your left hand and tilted into your leg and your leg that gets sawn off?

Scenario 2: the saw starts and the pull start mechanism wraps around the pull string, pulling your right and the saw towards one another, and then when your right hand hits the saw it bashes it up, somehow doesn't trip the chain stop, and into your face?

Is this a bigger concern with larger chainsaws? I just don't get any of this

And, try that on a small saw with size 13 boots, lol
Been drop starting for 40yrs, still have both legs and all 10 toes.

 

[coffeebrk]

If you have your chain break on when starting then you're fine.
People get lazy and get hurt. As far as not "getting it", the problem with the unimaginable is it's difficult to imagine.

 

[echomeister]

I hold saw in right hand and pull with the left. Bar is pointing away from me this way.

 

[HansFranz]

the problem with the unimaginable is it's difficult to imagine.

Imagine that!

Thanks

 

[Michael E]

The reason is that you start a dangerous cutting maschine without a fixed position. It might move in any direction.

The problem with air starting is not that it kills every single time, but that is not safe every single time.

If you don't want to start your saw on the ground, you can hold the back handle between your thighs, one hand on the handle, one hand on the starter. Much safer and works very well.

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

Maybe I am not understanding.

I pick saw up with left hand at top handle. I take right hand and pull on T handle to start. Bar is facing forward and I am standing.

Thought that is how most folks start a saw.

Now safety type folks tuck rear handle between leg thighs and hold handle and then start standing up or on ground with foot aka toes of boot in foot pad rear handle.

 

[altatim]

The most dangerous thing about a starting a chainsaw is the operator...

 

[Marley5]

Been drop " air " starting for 50 years.
Bending over and shoving a boot in handle can cause back issues and a trip hazard.
No, I do not speak at OSHA Seminars

 

[Fried Chicken]

This just further confirms that reddit is full of retards (shocker).

Been dealing with these psychopaths my entire life; the safety psychopaths who scare you out of breathing as a projection of their own insurmountable insecurity.l

 

[HavinFun]

When you take chainsaw safety classes that are required for recertification of insurance and professional licenses, you get yelled at for drop starting. I don’t do it any more and follow their training advice. But, go watch the young YouTube experts showing off their chainsaw skills. The carelessness that some of these guys show is downright dangerous when doing drop starts. Saws are waving all over the place then roar to life at full throttle inches from knees with no chaps on. If that works for you, more power to ya’.

 

[Mad Professor]

If you have the chain brake on it's pretty safe.

If you don't not so much.