I almost died today

Doing some tree work, I had to climb up and cut off the top of a small green cedar tree. It had to be lowered in a controlled fashion since there was all sorts of stuff below. So we used a sling with a pulley a few feet down the tree which is tied off to the piece coming down. The bull rope is then tied off at the bottom of the tree and a ground worker can use a friction device to lower the cut.

I got my rope set, scrambled up and got set up. Made the wedge cut up front, roped it up and set in for the back cut. Before I knew it, the top started falling the wrong direction, which brought the bull rope tied to it across my lanyard and descender device. Since we had the bottom of the rope tied off, luckily it didn't pull me down all the way but I was so tangled in the heavy thing I couldn't really move and definitely couldn't pull it back up over my lanyard. I was able to free the lanyard by cutting a branch under it and sliding it down the tree. That gave me enough slack to get it out of my descender device. I still couldn't move since the bull rope was still slung across me so we just lowered it down slowly and untied it. My gaffs were jammed so far into the tree I could barely pull them out.

While all this was happening it was pretty serene. I knew what needed to be done and just executed. However, after I got completely untangled and secure in the tree I felt very nauseous. Had to come down and sit for a few. Dry heaved a little and felt pretty worn down with continued nausea the rest of today.

I managed to slowly get back up the tree and section down the rest with no problems but only now (10 hours later) do I feel somewhat normal again. Major epinephrine rush. Do not recommend. One of those reminders I've got some helpers from beyond keeping me alive and on track. Also one of those opportunities to own the fuck out of your mistake and figure out how to do better next time. My real problem was poorly assessing the lean on the tree and overestimating my ability to control a heavy leaning top while perched in a small swaying cedar tree. I could've also positioned myself more carefully so if this thing does happen the rope ends up on the other side of the tree from my lanyard.