I gotta say it ....DUMBA$$ !!! You TRYING to kill yourself ?
If you're trying to kill yourself, keep at it. Seems whatever you've been doing as far as trimming isn't working if you keep getting hit or end up almost killing yourself. I think you're smarter than that.
Either think it out just a bit more, or hire a tree company. I'm sure the tree guys will do the work, clean up and leave your head a lil better than if you did it yourself.....you might end up like this next time....
http://www.st-v-sw.net/STSWATST.html
(the pix anyways)
P.S. (do like the tree guys do and use rope to secure the branch if you're not sure)