I don't think that the lack of tagline is the culprit. Using barbed wedges, especially stacked is nice, but there is no getting them out without opening up the backcut considerably.
I would suggest that those people that have pounded more wedges probably have the finesse, and the awareness of when it is not working as it should. Rifled wedges would have been better than textured, better than smooth, IME.
I would think that people would benefit a LOT by wedging things over. You can have a pull line set and ready in case you need them, but try to wedge things over. Being a good wedger of trees can be a wonderful skill, which can be hard to gain in residential tree work, unless you take more of the opportunities, at the expense of production sometimes. But really, this isn't losing production, its gaining skills. Think about how much you can produce when you know that you can wedge something over . Wedges don't get trapped under the fallen spar. They don't weigh 8-10 pounds. You don't have to dry wedges after using them in the rain. You don't need a throwline and weight, or spikes/ climbing gear to set them. You will be better trained to use them when bucking, as if you are using them for felling, they are right their. Wedges are especially important for bucking windthrown trees.
Sorry to hear about the injury. Don't feel like it is your fault, but do take it as a training experience and build on that to a greater training opportunity, IMO.
A faceshield on the helmet would have likely prevented the injury, as well.
