as i read this whole thread, it reminded me of all the STUPID that i had done in my young life. i'm much more careful now. i have to admitt that i did laff at some of the tales but it sure isn't funny as it happens. i grew up on a construction site and have seen and done some really dumb things. most of which could have been avoided with minimal thought and taking time to do it right. how can we, as the experienced guys, impart this knowledge to our grand children and younger apprentices to KEEP YOURSELF SAFE as the prime incentive to building these trucks that we all love. on top of little instruction, i was a terrible listener!! wish i had the answer.
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I think we can try our best to impress upon our young people to take care and do thing safely but you also have to realize our kids are really no different than our parents' kids. We had to learn a lot buy doing and finding out the consequences of our actions. When we were teenagers, admit it, our parents didn't know a damn thing but by the time we got into our mid 20s dad started to look a lot wiser. I just think it's all part of growing up. Unfortunately, you can't wrap your kids in bubble wrap and set them in the corner keep an eye on them all day. And also unfortunately, there are going to be accidents, some with horrible results but that's all part of life. I don't want my kids hurt and certainly not mamed or killed but most times there's nothing we can do about it. My oldest is a farmer and works 12-15 hour days around 1500+ animals that could easily kill him if spooked, not to mention all the whirling sharp bladed machines he is using every day. I worry about him all of the time, especially at the end of the day and he's going into hour 15 and still has a lot of work to do and he's tired.

For the less deadly stories posted here, the ones we lived through and are able to laugh about, remember this equation:

tragety+time=humor

Let's face it, at the time of most of these events it was scary and less than enjoyable but they do make great stories to tell after all has calmed down.

 

That's an accurate formula, and one I use to get through those 'situations' as they are happening, reminding myself that someday it's going to make a good story that I'll laugh at.