Very close call for a friend of mine

[Monsterlover]

My friend Brent is in his early 30's and just about ended up dead or paralyzed last weekend.

He's a little guy but when talking to him its obvious he is not aware of it. Hes spent time in the military, in the sand, is in the guard now and is in instructor for some military school. I really don't know all the details but he's all go, no quit.

When he's not doing something for the govt he runs his own general contracting company. Pretty much if it needs done he either knows how to get it done or knows who to call in. Part of what he does is tree felling services and that's the part that almost got him.

Seems he was cutting down a tree, maybe 24" across. He'd done the wedge cut and was just finishing the last cut to drop the tree when he blacked out.

When he came to he couldn't move or breathe at first. He looked around and saw red everywhere.

He felt his back and nothing.

Then he realized the red wasn't blood but flowers. He stood up and was able to get the attention of a friend of his who was running an excavator. By blind luck this guy just happened to see Brent waive his hands a couple times then collapse and was able to get to him in seconds and drove him to the VA.

When the tree started over a limb that we guess to weigh 400+ pounds split off and fell right on Brents back. Hrs got two broken vertebrae and a few of his floating ribs snapped off.

Dr said a couple inches lower and he would have been paralyzed if not dead.

He's up and around now and going to be ok.

Close one.

[Grampa]

wowzer......

[ducpainter]

Loggers call them widow makers.

He's lucky indeed.

[Skybarney]

I owned a small logging company created when the Bark Beetles hit the San Bernardino Mountains.  Made a bunch of money and got out right about the time it turned into a whores gig.  Trees we got 1200.00 for were going for 300.00 so we got out at the right time.  That time however was full of scary close calls...  Big trees only take a single mistake and everything goes to poo.

Made my money and got out!  Stay away from logging! It is safer to drag knees through the turns in a pair of nylon shorts and a bath cap than to be a logger. 

Just my two cents worth.   

[Howie]

To a quick and complete recovery Brent

[WarrenJ]

I've attended a couple funerals due to tree felling incidents.  Things can happen pretty suddenly, especially when you think you have it all figured out.  Wishing your buddy a complete recovery!

[Monsterlover]

I've found that with many things in life that have risk, once you catch yourself feeling comfortable is when it really becomes dangerous.

[ungeheuer]

Here's wishing your mate a fast get-well.

Tree felling is such an imprecise activity.  You think you have it right.. but can never be absolutely sure. 

I've found that with many things in life that have risk, once you catch yourself feeling comfortable is when it really becomes dangerous.

I get more timid with every tree