Seems to me it'd be more unsafe with a shorter bar that can swing down and hit you in the foot/leg? Obviously the bar tip in the dirt isn't great, but it's better than flesh. That method creeps me out and I don't really see why anyone would use it? The only time I hold right and pull lefty is on the 200T.
That is how many old loggers did it, and showed me many years ago, and they did it safely while the bar and saw weight was laying on a log, so youwere not in danger in any way. And back in the day it was the only way, modern saws have throttle locks, compression release, chain brake, elastostart etc. Old saws did not all have these features, and many I grew up with you had to give it gas with your right hand to start it while pulling. Point being it is safe if you do it safely. I use this method for a flooded saw. A good saw operator should be able to start, and use the saw in all conditions, and safely no matter what it is a dangerous world, when sawing or doing tree work it is the name of the game. But how the game is played, and what you learn pay attention to, listen and look for will determine, how long you live and play. The guys who are always safety conscious wise, and implement this route as second nature will have a better chance. The guys who do nothing but worry about how unsafe things may be will actually create a hazard, they hesitate or panic I know worked with many. Not trying to rip on you, just giving a run down to all, and wnated to display my thoughts I feel I have been pretty well rounded, and shaped. It has come from 25 years of firewood cutting, limbing, tree work, working with loggers, but mostly listening to the old ones. Working on saws, falling jobs complete takedowns which are like taking a puzzle apart, a disection. I try and take it all in, and I size up every tree with the same methods of safety, and practice so I can do it in my sleep, that way n the real world when it gets bad on a tree hopefully I can react, and not have to stop and think, and you bet your ass I have had bad situations, and close calls. I was lucky to live through em and learn.