Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 05:14:49 GMT
From: ajaks7
Subject: Chainsaw tales
Dear Pam,
Ahh… be careful of making such judgments regarding the trouble people can get themselves into with a chainsaw.
First of all, I think the “it” Al Cooke was referring to was not the chainsaw itself, but the whip-like action of a limb under tension when that tension is suddenly released by sawing it partway through. That limb could indeed “take off your ear,” or any other bits of you that get in its way. Or it could merely hit you square in the face and send your glasses flying 20 feet.
Although Mr. Cooke wasn’t referring to the chainsaw in that scenario, I’ve seen folks do some surprisingly delicate surgery on themselves with said instrument. A fellow I knew was sawing wood and hit an embedded piece of barbwire. This is a very dangerous situation because the chainsaw will kickback with particular violence when it strikes metal. His saw bounced right back in his face. It grazed his cheek and cut his cornea, giving him one “cotton-eye.” Miraculously, it did no serious damage to his face, nor did it penetrate the internal structures of his eye.
That said, I’m glad you wrote from such a skeptic’s vantage point. I’m looking forward to all the near-miss chainsaw stories it will undoubtedly generate!
Cheers — Jackie
Re: Post #4
Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 09:09:34 -0500
From: Pam Kuder
Subject: chain saw accidents
Al Cooke,
I don’t mean to take such a serious subject so lightly, but in dental practice I have yet to see just an ‘an ear cut off’ with a chain saw when in the area of the head. I am certain you meant to not get into too an undesirable description, but your comment did tickle me as to the absurdity.
“When you finally get to the tangle of limbs and trunks on the ground,
chances are good that most of them are caught up under some tension. When
you saw into that limb under tension, it’s a good idea if you know which way
it’s going to snap. If you don’t know, it could break your leg or take off
your ear. If you don’t know, stay away.”
Pam