Sweetgum revenge

SCOTTYNC

SCOTTYNC

Location
Charlotte, NC
I was in a sweet gum Tuesday.
I was about about 45 feet up, doing a removal. I was roping a 4" piece from over the roof. I was tied in twice using two hands on the saw just like you are suppose to.


OK here is what happened. I cut the end off a 1-3/4" to 2" limb I was standing on so the piece I was lowering would not get caught up on it. I stepped out about 18" on that limb. Flipped lined in over a 4" limb on my left side reached out and made my cut.
The next thing I know I'm hanging by flip line and elbow three feet lower than I started. My line, lowering line and piece being lowered are all as one. I was able to get my elbow out of the union undo my flip line, and my GREAT crew and my self were able to lower the piece and myself at one time to the ground.

So what happened. I don't know. The limb I was standing on broke past the collar. I don't think the piece being lowered hit it and the crew did not see it happen either. It was cold for here 34-36*


Well I ended up just bruised up pretty good and nothing broken Thanks to the man up stairs.

As it turned out it felt like I was in a train wreck the next day. But I am back at it and in a sweet gum to boot.

The guy next door happens to be a retired OSHA inspector who watches the whole thing happen and was very impressed with how everything went down. And he also said the only thing I can see you need to change is our gas cans...

Thanks to all the training we do no one freaked out and it is great to be telling you this.
Scotty
 
Thanks for posting Scotty. It takes courage. Glad you're alright and nothin got messed up.
All that training is for a great reason. Keep it up!

What I find confusing is how your climbing line, lowering line, and you all got tangled. Stay Safe my friend.
 
Thanks for posting your account, Scotty. Glad you are on the mends and nothing more extreme happened.

Thirty two feet per second per second-- the rate at which gravity sucks.
 
Glad your ok Scotty! Two hands meant control of the saw, two tie-ins meant a short drop. Sweet gums are odd trees. Very brittle weak limb wood when they die but have a wickedly strong 4th wall in the main trunk.

Keep up the professional work!
 
Glad you're alright...

...This is why we train & why it's important to stay clam.

Good Job to your crew.

Now change out those gas cans.
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Thanks for posting Scotty. It takes courage. Glad you're alright and nothin got messed up.
All that training is for a great reason. Keep it up!

What I find confusing is how your climbing line, lowering line, and you all got tangled. Stay Safe my friend.

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What happened there Norm, I had flaked some line over this side of the tree I was working, when the limb broke and I went for a short ride the piece I was lowering caught on that loop, when I got my self and the flip line off I spun and ended all tangled.

I also have been thinking if I had one handed the saw I would not have caught my arm but would have traveled that three foot a lot faster and then who knows. Also thought what if I only had one tie in point, I would have traveled a lot further, and then what?

You who have know me for over ten years, know that I was an old school er till then, now when I make a decision to cut one handed (cause I still do sometimes) or not put that second line on it is not from habit anymore but by thinking. So I do think I made the right choice by Two Hands and Two Tie ins.

Thanks to all and thanks to still be here. Scotty
 
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Glad the dang saw didn't bite you, hope you're not Gum-shy now. Keep climbin' safe, good post.

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Nope, well maybe a little, nope. Done two today
Scotty
 
Hey man glad your ok did you notice it was in slow motion and did you hear all the ripping and tearing noises sounded amplified been upside down before on a oak stick thank god for the extra tie in and the common sense to stay calm. Keep it safe
 
I thought it happened slow, but I talked with some one who witnessed it from the culdesac, and said it looked pretty violent. I know I have a few bruises to say it was probably in between. Doc also said my blood pressure was up afterwards. Imagine that.

Thanks Scotty
 
I broke my foot when it happened to me when the tree stood up my foot went between the two. I was ready for it but my foot wasn’t . you bet your as… its violent. don’t let that stop you get back on the horse and ride hard good luck buddy and keep it safe
 
Dude we spent so much time talking honestly about our climbing habits when Rich and I were with you for last week. We all spoke so straight about those two elements. You can't imagine how glad I am for you and your loved ones (even Uncle Mikey) that you had those two habits in the forefront of that move. THANK YOU. I love you brah! Whiz
Also...I created my accident 2 days after Internationals as many of you know. I wonder if we don't come away from an event with a certain confidence about us? I don't know. It was cool seeing Scotty climb and handle in a production setting. My man's very professional. Whiz take 2
 
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Glad the dang saw didn't bite you, hope you're not Gum-shy now. Keep climbin' safe, good post.

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Seriously. That could have been bad. Thanks for posting the experience. I know I take these stories and store them in my brain. It seems like the more incidents I read about, the more I recall in the tree when a crucial event is about to happen.

Glad you are okay Scotty.
 
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Dude we spent so much time talking honestly about our climbing habits when Rich and I were with you for last week. We all spoke so straight about those two elements. You can't imagine how glad I am for you and your loved ones (even Uncle Mikey) that you had those two habits in the forefront of that move. THANK YOU. I love you brah! Whiz
Also...I created my accident 2 days after Internationals as many of you know. I wonder if we don't come away from an event with a certain confidence about us? I don't know. It was cool seeing Scotty climb and handle in a production setting. My man's very professional. Whiz take 2

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Thanks for the kind words Bro. But what if not confidence but being some what run down from the previous week? Both maybe?

And like you, I know I have thought about it thoroughly afterwards numerous times. But I love this Sh-t, and can't stop now. Just more respect for what WE do.
Love Scotty
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