arborist cuts arm, bleeds to death (Van BC Nov 23 2004)

[xander9727]

You mean if you free climb a tree with a poulan wild thang and lop off a couple branches to stubs you're not an arborist? Someone ought to tell the media!

 

[Stumper]

Shoot! The media just learned that arborists are tree trimmers. Now you want them to use the term properly and only use it to refer to tree care professionals? Over the past 30 years they have managed to change the meaning of 'decimate'. I doubt they'll actually bother to learn to use 'arborist' properly

 

[TimberMcPherson]

I started my company with just me, most of the time I couldnt have a safety guy. I dont think anyone should work by themselves but sometimes its just not possible to do it any other way. Obviously he paid for his mistake, but who is to know whether another workmate would have been able to save him.
Would I work by myself, yes. Would I send anyone else to do it, No way in Heck

 

[xander9727]

I like you Timber.........if you can't bring a mate along make sure the homeowner checks periodically. I really don't recommend working alone. Too much can go wrong not to have backup.

 

[TimberMcPherson]

Funnily enough (or not so funny) my climbing partner was pulling a branch free of some vine and POP! A tendon went in his hand. He is now in a cast and seeing a specialist in a week, hope he is going to be ok. They dont know whats happened.
So im solo again, at least I have no big takedowns to do aside from one which I have already organised someone to help me out on.

 

[xander9727]

HMMMMMM? I've never been to New Zealand.......Maybe if I get slow this winter I can come over and help.

 

[Nickrosis]

Let me know if you go.

 

[Curtis James]

I have a friend that went back packing there and she said it was just beautiful. I would love to go some time.

 

[xander9727]

Anyone else want to come along?

 

[TimberMcPherson]

Yeah its not bad down here, summer has so far not been to bad. Youd get one heck of a pay cut working here though! But your welcome down these ways, just dont think that because its a small country you can see it in a few days, theres a fair bit to see.

It takes a bit of getting used to not having another guy helping out. Things seem to get done so slow.
Paul isnt just my climbing partner but one of my best friends, he sees a specialist on tuesday so will know what the extent of the damage is.
Hey how does it work in the states, I have to pay his first weeks wages then the govt pays him 80% of his wages and all his medical and allows me to have him back at work if there are light duties he can do. What happens when your guys get hurt?

 

[xander9727]

If you don't have insurance you go bankrupt and starve.

 

[TimberMcPherson]

If you don't have insurance you go bankrupt and starve.

Effective, crude but effective. See its a Government system to motivate you to work as safely as possible, quite the motivator aint it?

 

[BewtifulTreeMan]

I am confident in my climbers ability to work safely, and also my ability to return him to the ground in the event of an accident but i would like to learn more about aerial rescue. are there publications on this matter? ISA classes?

 

[xander9727]

ACRT teaches it as part of their training courses.

 

[Elmore]

Bloody Mess

Moderator note: Before someone reports this-

The image is graphic (but acceptable) and depicts various parts of a human hand before and after reconstrucion. If you are sensitive to such images, you may want to pass on it.

 

[achile]

It sad, really sad

 

[mmayo]

It's best not to work alone because of worst case scenario. Saying that I work alone 90 % of the time, mostly pruning. I cant wait to have enough business to hire someone full time even if it's only to make that phone call. Knock on wood no serious injuries after seven years. Be safe out there!

 

[Gord]

update to this incident that i thought was worthy of note...maybe a little apocryphal and unsubstantiated...but apparently the injured climber was HIV positive. IMO the only thing that could have helped him was to be tied in with a proper climbing line/split tail setup, ready to rappel out with one hand. and maybe a tourniquet. but i for one would not have climbed up to rescue him.

 

[jimmyq]

I was talking to someone local and heard the same thing Gord. Apparently the folks that removed him from the situation were unaware and may not have been sufficiently protected against fluid transfer.

 

[OutOnaLimb]

This is the reason I keep a quick clot pouch and a pressure dressing in the ammo pouch I keep attached to my saddle.

Kenn.