How far should you travel before setting the saw brake?

Setting the saw brake is a critical safety procedure that helps prevent accidents while operating a chainsaw. After you make your cut, it is important to secure the chain by engaging the brake before moving away from the cutting area. The recommendation to travel a specific distance before setting the saw brake ensures that you maintain control of the saw and allows a safe environment for yourself and those around you.

Traveling two steps before setting the saw brake is adequate because it allows for a quick but safe transition away from the cutting area while ensuring the chain is secured. This distance is typically considered a safe margin; it keeps you close enough to the equipment to easily control it without risking any unintended contact or movement of the chain after cutting. Additionally, this distance reinforces the habit of prioritizing safety and awareness of your surroundings in a potentially hazardous environment.

In contrast, traveling just one step may not provide enough distance to ensure safety from the saw’s chain, while traveling three or four steps could create unnecessary delay and may lead to a lapse in focus on safety procedures. Hence, two steps strikes the right balance between safety and efficiency while using a chainsaw in wildland firefighting scenarios.