An SAX parser will generate an event for every Node in the document, but it is up to you, the programmer, to keep track of the hierarchy created by all of the preceeding events. This can get tricky for all but the simplest XML structures.
Thats why people try to use the DOM when they have to work with the document hierarchy.
If we knew more about what you are trying to do, we could give more specific hints.
Bill
Don't get me started about those stupid light bulbs.