Lucky to be here!

[DDT]

Hi to all since I am here to tell about it.

I was cutting trees down to clear an area for a woodworking shed. I have been falling trees most of my life and am 46 years old and should know what I am doing by now. I was dropping another elm tree, there was no wind and the tree y'ed out, one to the east and the other to the west. It was all leaning to the south. It was all the 16" bar wanted in one pass. I cut a slope for the tree to fall south, I got about 2" away from the back side and pulled the saw out. My first thought, this is NOT RIGHT, it should have moved before now. The saw kerf was still the same so it was still not even want to come my way. Before I could turn and run the tree clasped the saw kerf and slid down the ramp I cut, then dopped to the ground very fast. This all took place in about 1/2 secound, blink of an eye so to speak. I only had time to react, Run north. I made about 4 steps away and felt the tree hit me square on the head. I was on my back in the most pain I have ever been in, gasping for air in very short breaths. I new I needed help so I called 911 but it took awhile to dial since I was shaking so bad. Sure was glad my cell phone was working and on me. I am on the volunteer fire dept. so the dispatcher knew who I was. I was hurting so bad she could not understand anything I said.

Sheriffs dept got here and the amblulance. I went to the hospital and then a helicoptor ride to Wichita where back surgery was done. I crushed two vertibraes and fractured another. T5 to T10 was the problem. I got 2 rods and 8 screws before they got done with me. I am very lucky to be here ( I do have a guaridan angel) and also more lucky that I am not paralized. I do not know why my head was not sqash like a pumpkin. I think my guardian angel had a hand in this. I am back home now, but will be a while before I can work or do anything.



Please be careful. My Christmas was gloomy, but at least I am still here. So if you all don't mind I will be spending alot of time on this board while I am mending.

DDT

 

[JApol]

WOW. Very few people come that close and come back. Take care of that back and have a good recovery

 

[lmills]

Wow!!! you got very lucky. :--) Glad to hear you are OK.

 

[PToombs]

Glad to hear you made it. Take it easy on recovery, and I hope you get well soon. Spend all the time you want babysitting us, we need it any way!

 

[rbattelle]

HOLY COW! Did the tree actually land on top of you, or just whack you in the head/back?



Someone sure wanted to make sure you lived another day!



Ryan

 

[Skydiver]

I don't know where to start DDT.

In 1982 I bought a 1951 Chevrolet pulpwood truck. Only 22 and working 3rd shift I could run the tree surgeon business until 2pm and sleep for 7 hours to go back to work.

While running the bow clearing vines from a large pine I began to feel a tickling on my right big toe. I cut a hole in my boot.

DDT I to am 46 years old and since selling all the equipment in 83 I always said saws are dangerous,noisy,messy,and just plain trouble.

Reason I posted is I just bought an Echo Cs 440 and your post brought back some memories.

I made more than my share of mistakes working around houses but never more than a $100 bill couldn't fix.

Your Guardian Angel was right with you.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

Thank God you dodged that one DDT.



I've managed a few tooooo close calls. I've spent most my career cutting trees with chainsaw, cross cut and axes. Plus, firewood for fuel. I think the closest call was a 30" doug fir that was down and bound. When I cut through the first cut at the butt the top sprung like a baseball bat, a very big baseball bat, and the butt dropped on my foot. I thought my foot was broken cuz it hurt so bad, but all I could think about was "You would have been dead if that top would have foul-balled you!" DOAH!



Thank you Jesus... . that one was on you. :-laf