Finally fired up the Stihl MS 290

Boog, I work graveyard and use hard candy to stay awake on the ride home. Just having something to suck/chew on can go a long ways in keeping you awake. Dunno if it will help with sleep apnea but maybe worth a shot?

You're right, sucking & chewing on things does help, but not enough. I don't use those pills to often, just for long drives like up to Buffalo/Grand Island to fish/visit family (4 hr). They're "Nuvigil" prescribed for bad sleep apnea, shift workers, narcolepsy.

They work great but I feel like crap the next day.

My usual go to drug is chocolate covered espresso beans, with plenty of Tim Horton coffee on the side.

Had a friend at work give me "Caffine Pills" one time.....Wife was wondering why I was still jumpy after working 16 hours....she took one look and said "THATS SPEED YOU *&^%##@ IDIOT !"

Well, its evolution in action see. Those of us that survived without PPE or use PPE or switched to using it survive to post more on the web.

Seeminly I somehow survived my "Here, hold my beer while I try doing something stupid..." youth. Of course I have nearly killed myself many times even when doing things safely and carefully. I thrive in high adventure. I do not know why I am still alive, really. I was a hellion in my youth and in my older age I have had several near death experiences, after some of which I wound up in the hospital. However, what I take from it is that one should do what one can to prevent from being killed while doing something that can be avoided, like wearing a helmet when white water rafting, riding a motorcycle and snow skiing, and wearing PPE when using a chainsaw, shooting guns, and doing simple stuff like wearing a seat belt in the car amd not texting while driving.

It comes down to personal choices, really. Some things have a larger impact than you might think. Following other people doing stupid things is a common mistake that many people make. That is one thing that they harp on in avalanche training on the ski patrol. People are commonly lulled into a false sense of security seeing other people do things, no matter how stupid or what the risk. It also happens no matter what the training, knowledge, education, IQ level, or experience. A human flaw it seems. The most experienced and expert avalanche expert in Colorado killed himself while skiing the back country. He set off an avalanche in an area he had no business skiing in, and nearly killed several others in his group. As a group they all failed to notice their own peril and the dangers they were going into. They were experts and should have seen the signs, but they chose to ignore them. So the lesson from that is that you have to defend youself from yourself at times. Survival is an art, and one that I have found is more dependant on gut feelings and intuition. Without modern medicine I would be long dead. PPE has also saved my ass many times.

It is your choice though. You can listen to experience, including your own, or you can ignore it.

I agree!

I think as I get older I start to realize more and more that the minor inconvenience or cost of PPE is much less than dealing with the repercussions afterward.

Growing up used to run the mowers, tractors, saws, etc with no hearing pro. Didn't know better I guess, and thought we were more "bad ass" maybe?
Now I put on a set of ear muffs when running anything that I'd have to shout over to talk to someone.

Had someone tell me I was going overkill to wear muffs while running my ZTR mower. That's fine, but when I'm 50 I hope to not be going "HUH?, HUH?" all the time like my Dad does.

I was an Auto Tech for over 23 years....running Impacts, Air Chisels, banging with Hammers, and other shop type noises....been mowing the lawn, and now using Chainsaws without Ear Protection......60% deaf in Right Ear diagnosed 2 years ago....irreversable damage.....was no protection the problem ???, dunno....but it sure didn't help

Beer Belly said:

*Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming - "WOW, What a ride !"

Love it, my motto exactly!