Chainsaw Safety Class

Learn to Safely Operate, Maintain & Steward Your Land

$250 per participant
3.5-hour hands-on class
Limited class size for a safe, personal learning experience

Whether you are learning to care for your own property or want to be better prepared to help a neighbor after a fallen tree, this class focuses on building the knowledge, awareness, and confidence to use a chainsaw safely and effectively.

This is a hands-on introduction to chainsaw safety and basic operation. We focus on understanding the equipment, recognizing hazards, practicing safe operating techniques, and learning basic maintenance.

Meet Your Teacher

David Loats, CTSP

David Loats is passionate about safety, responsible tree care, and helping trees thrive for generations. His goal is simple: to care for trees in a way that allows them to live 100 years and beyond, while helping people understand how to work safely around them.

David is an ISA Certified Arborist and Tree Climber with certifications FL-10017A / FL-10017AT. His competitive tree-climbing experience has earned him a ranking of 3rd in the State of Florida and 24th in North America.

Safety is at the center of David's work. He is trained and certified in:

• Red Cross CPR & First Aid

• F.A.S.T. — First Aid for Severe Trauma

• North American Rescue — Stop the Bleed

• ISA Certified Arborist & Tree Climber

• Certified Tree Safety Professional  (CTSP)- 

  Credential #071624

David is also a former volunteer firefighter and is currently studying toward his paramedic certification, bringing an emergency-response mindset to his approach to tree work and safety.

Through his teaching, David hopes to give people more than technical skills. He wants participants to develop the awareness, respect, and confidence to make safe decisions when caring for trees and stewarding their land.

"The goal isn't just to take down a tree. It's to understand how to care for the trees we have so they can be here for generations to come."

Class Schedule

October 24, 2026

Class: $250

Class size: Limited to 5 participants

9:00 AM — Arrival & Check-In
Arrive, get settled, review safety requirements and prepare for the class.
Class begins: 9:30 AM
Class concludes: 12:30 AM

Location: La Fea Farms

1. Safety Basics

• Understanding chainsaw hazards

• Personal protective equipment

• Identifying your surroundings and potential hazards

• Safe positioning and body mechanics

• Kickback awareness

• When not to operate a chainsaw

• Understanding your own limitations and when to call a professional

2. Operational Safety Basics

• Getting familiar with your chainsaw

• Controls and safety features

• Safe starting procedures

• Proper grip and stance

• Carrying and transporting a chainsaw safely

• Working distance and communication

• Basic operating principles

3. Chainsaw Operation

• Proper operating technique

• Basic cutting principles

• Understanding tension and compression

• Making basic cuts safely

• Recognizing changing conditions while cutting

• Introduction to basic trimming

4. Chainsaw Maintenance

• Understanding the major components

• Chain inspection

• Chain tension

• Bar and chain care

• Cleaning

• Fuel and lubrication basics

• Basic troubleshooting

• Knowing when professional service is needed

5. Basic Trimming

Learn the fundamentals of safely approaching and trimming appropriate small limbs and branches while understanding the limits of what should—and should not—be attempted with basic chainsaw training.

BYOC — Bring Your Own Chainsaw

Bringing your own chainsaw is recommended.

Learning on the equipment you will actually use at home makes the experience more relevant and practical.

Don't have a chainsaw yet? Demo chainsaws will be available for participants who need one during the class.

A recommended chainsaw will also be available for purchase for those who want to invest in their own equipment.

Required Safety Equipment

Chaps are required when operating a chainsaw on our property.

We will have 2 sets of L and XL chainsaw chaps available for participants to use during the class. Availability is limited, so bringing or purchasing your own properly fitted PPE is strongly recommended.

Please Bring PPE (Personal Protective Equipment):

• Safety goggles or appropriate eye protection

• Chainsaw chaps (we can provide)

• Hearing protection

• Steel- or composite-toe shoes/boots

• Long pants

• Bug repellent

• Appropriate work clothing
  
  We recommend purchasing at: https://arbsession.com
  CODE: LOATS10 for 10% OFF
  

Waiver Required

A signed waiver is required to participate in the hands-on portions of this class.

Please review the waiver prior to attending the event.

What You'll Walk Away With

You won't simply learn how to start a chainsaw.

You'll leave with a better understanding of:

• How your chainsaw works

• The primary safety hazards

• How to prepare yourself and your equipment

• Safe operating fundamentals

• Basic maintenance

• Basic trimming techniques

• When a job is beyond your skill level and should be left to a professional

The Goal

Build confidence without creating overconfidence.

Chainsaws are powerful tools. The goal of this class is to help you understand how to approach them responsibly, recognize hazards, and make safer decisions when caring for your land.

Whether you're stewarding your own property, maintaining your trees, or hoping to safely support a neighbor after a storm or fallen tree, good chainsaw skills begin with good safety habits.