Best with chainsaw trousers, they're designed to jam the chain before it cuts your leg off. Chainsaws are very dangerous and should be used very carefully.
I would not necessarily agree with that, barry. I bought my first one many years ago because I was visiting my sister when a huge apple tree came down in her garden. I used lopping shears and a bow saw to remove the branches but we could not shift the main trunk at any cost. Nipped to B&Q bought an electric chain saw and I quickly dispatched the trunk into logs. As with any power tool it requires common sense and due care and attention. I did read the instruction book twice before using it.
In the working world you need to have done the course/got the qualification before you use a chainsaw. I you were my husband I wouldn't want you using one by the seat of your pants.
Dustypuss, that is not how the chain brake works. if you release the trigger, the chain will often turn slowly if the tick over is a bit high. The chain brake is attached to the handguard, if the chainsaw were to kick back, the handguard would hit your hand, thus operating the chain break. If you have the chainsaw on tick over and not in use, you can activate the chain brake by pushing the handguard forward until it clicks, this will lock the chain.
I also agree with Barry "Some jobs are best left to professionals - and this is one of them" if you make just one mistake or you misjudge something and the chainsaw kicks back, the chain saw could end up embedded in your face. of if you slip, a chainsaw could amputate a leg in a split second! And believe it or not, the smaller saws can be much worse than the larger ones. Wearing of kevlar clothing is so essential, and that includes kevlar boots!