I just loaded a dead guy into the coroner's truck.
He had been struck square in the forehead by a branch of a tree that was being cut down. I think could not get out of the way due to the ice on the ground.
I know I've cut trees down many times, and it's easy to get complacent. The conditions were poor for tree cutting, they should have used a rope, they should have been wearing cleats, they should have...they should have.
Anyway, the point of this is that the mundane things are important to think about, every time. I can't say for sure that cleats would have allowed him to get away in time, I can't say for sure that a rope to help direct the tree would have moved it the 4" that would have made this an injury instead of a fatality, all I know is that I can think of several things that might have meant I would have never been called out this afternoon. Everyday isn't just about kits, it's about situational readiness and an appropriate level of gear for the task at hand.
Over & Out.