A photograph published in the April 2 Columbian provided an important safety reminder to those of us who occasionally use a chain saw. The story “Prisoners cut firewood for the needy” had a photo of two men using chain saws. The important detail not noted was that both men had on orange-colored chaps over their pants. These special chaps are made out of a tough fiber, which will protect the femoral artery in the leg from the chain saw and will actually stop the chain before cutting into the leg. There is no practical way to prevent death from this injury other than wearing the chaps. Any saw shop can obtain or provide these chaps.
Larry Kingsbury
Battle Ground
