Watch those cottonwood logs.

FlashD

Well, I was hoping to never have to add a thread in this category that applied to me, but recent events have changed that.
Saturday morning I was working a large cottonwood that had uprooted across a creek into small chunks that could float down the creek and not dam it up. One lead of the tree was up in the air while another was laying across the creek keeping the tree from rolling. I cut the lead that was in the air down so I could work it into pieces safer. That particular lead forked into two sections as well. I went out and cut half of it off a few feet from the crotch as it was the only place I could cut it and be safe. After I cut it, The log slid so roughly 80% of the weight from it was hanging on the the side that section had been on and left me with roughly a 7' stub, a 5' log and another half of the limb that was resting on the ground. I figured, considering weight distribution, the log would slide off to my left. I made a back cut on the topside of the next section, making certain it would not hit me if it rolled, then began to undercut it as it was under pressure. When I cut through the log it hung up and drug the rest of the log off with it, to my right where I hadn't planned on it going. I pitched the saw in the creek and swung off on my climbing line, which was tie off in a tree on the bank. I was too late. The log caught my leg and rolled me over upside down. The log, weighing about 1300 lbs snapped both my tibia and fibula, then rolled over on my foot, crushing three bones there. My co-workers and boss were able to roll the log off me enough that I could roll on my side and free my foot, then called EMS to get me out of the creek. I was rushed in for emergency surgery and they put a titanium rod in my fibula. I go in next tuesday for surgery on my foot. Looks like I'll be off it for at least a couple of months and the surgen wasn't too optomistic that I'd have very good articulation in my foot or ankle due to the nature and location of the fractures.
I'm sure this is all clear as mud, but I'll get pictures up as soon as I can. Just watch out out there. Them bastids will get ya as soon as you let your guard down.

stirmantrees

Sorry to hear that happened.

will do on the being careful

Im glad you didnt get pinned with your face in the water or broken back. This job is so dangerous. Get better soon

southsoundtree

So sorry to hear you're injured. Heal well. Do all the PT they have for you.

FlashD

As they aren't too sure of my recovery, I plan to do everything I can to wow them. I'm sure climbing will never be the same, but I'm going to get everything as close to normal as I can. The fortunate thing about the log rolling on my foot is that it kept the log from rolling further and crushing my back. I could have been a lot worse and I'm very thankful for the results I got, although I wish they were better. As I've said in the past, this industry is all about risk management. We were managing the risks of that particular job as well as we could and things just didn't go quite right. It happens.
God bless.

Bruce Hopf

I know it's been a while, since anyone posted on this post, was just wondering, how things went, after your injury. Bruce.

__________________
McCulloch chain saws
1- Pro Mac 60, 1- Pro Mac 700, 2- Mac 10-10 Automatic's, 2- Mini Mac 30's, 2- Mac 110's,
2- Mini Mac 35's, 1- Mac 140 with Automatic Chain Sharpener,
1- Pro Mac 10-10, 1- Mac Cat, 2- Eager Beaver
2.0's, 1- Mac 1-10
Stihl chain saws
2- 044's, 2- 034's, 2- 024's, 1- 064, 1- 084,
Strunk chain saws
1- Busy Beaver, 1- SpeeDemon Special
Stand Back, I Have A Very Extreme Case of CAD (Chain Saw Addiction Disorder).

FlashD

Sorry to not update, and I sure appreciate your concern.
I ended up spending 2 months totally non load-bearing and 4 months in a CAM walker (basically a walking cast). I also did 4 months worth of physical therapy. I'm back to work full time now and not liking the oncoming cold weather very much. Next Thursday I have my third surgery, this time to remove four of the screws and a plate in my foot as well as one of the screws in my knee that currently keeps me from being able to kneel.
I've climbed 6 times since the day of my accident, and one of those times was actually while I was still non load-bearing. I'm going a little crazy not being able to do something that I love, but hopefully it will be worth it to take it easy and let everything heal. My goal is to be back climbing by the end of January. Time will tell.

Bruce Hopf

Very glad to hear that your doing well. Best of luck in the new year, but also to remember, to take it easy for a bit. I know sometimes after an injury, we tend to over do it, from time to time, and we pay for it after. Bruce.

__________________
McCulloch chain saws
1- Pro Mac 60, 1- Pro Mac 700, 2- Mac 10-10 Automatic's, 2- Mini Mac 30's, 2- Mac 110's,
2- Mini Mac 35's, 1- Mac 140 with Automatic Chain Sharpener,
1- Pro Mac 10-10, 1- Mac Cat, 2- Eager Beaver
2.0's, 1- Mac 1-10
Stihl chain saws
2- 044's, 2- 034's, 2- 024's, 1- 064, 1- 084,
Strunk chain saws
1- Busy Beaver, 1- SpeeDemon Special
Stand Back, I Have A Very Extreme Case of CAD (Chain Saw Addiction Disorder).

066logger

thats for sure. i was back cutting trees 4 weeks after a broken arm while i was still in a cast. now this was a 660 i was cuttin with and so yea now i ended up with an odd bump where it was broken. wish i woulda just waited 2 more weeks now....