I'm a "c" certified sawyer, chainsaw and crosscut saw, and this is phenominally dangerous work. Good to hear that they were rigorous, and doesn't surprise me.
When you get into falling trees, that is a whole 'nother ballgame, as well. There is an astonishing amount of kinetic energy stored in an upright tree, waiting to be unleashed.
I'm going up to get my recerts next week outside of Fresno, and am looking forward to it.
On a lot of the backpacking trips I lead, I'll generally try to find weakened trees to point out, when it is time to set up camp. Most people are oblivious, but there are often hazard trees nearby.
I remember two camps, when I asked people to assess a nearby tree, which all thought was fine, which I then PUSHED over. Lotta dangerous trees out there.......
One of the best things about saw training, is learning to do the evaluation of hazards, and the situational awareness that is needed. You see things you never saw before.
