Knife for EMT/FF?

[22/45]

I have a potential customer who is asking for a recommendation on a good knife for EMT/FF use. His principal request is a knife that will quickly and easily cut seat belts.

I haven't had much luck finding a specialized knife, and I really don't want to take the "well, these look sharp" approach, so I thought I'd ask here.

What do you carry for duty use? What have you tried in the past? What do you look for in a knife?

Thanks for your responses, and keep safe!

[akulahawk]

Originally posted by 22/45
I have a potential customer who is asking for a recommendation on a good knife for EMT/FF use. His principal request is a knife that will quickly and easily cut seat belts.

I haven't had much luck finding a specialized knife, and I really don't want to take the "well, these look sharp" approach, so I thought I'd ask here.

What do you carry for duty use? What have you tried in the past? What do you look for in a knife?

Thanks for your responses, and keep safe!

Most of the rescue hammer type devices have a hook like cutter. Seatbelt goes in slot, you pull and a recessed blade cuts the belt. I have also seen such cutters that don't have the hammer part. They're supposed to work well. I believe that Smith & Wesson have a rescue knife that is purpose designed to cut seatbelts and doesn't have a sharp point on it. It's a folder knife and it has a window punch built in. I've never used it though. I've used my trauma shears or a regular folding knife with a serrated blade. The few times I have needed to cut a seatbelt those have worked well enough for me.

[D25]

I have a window-punch seat belt hook combo that works well. It's small and difficult to find sometimes though, so the shears usually get used. I try to not whip out a regular pointed pocket knife in the confines of a mangled car.

[akulahawk]

Originally posted by D25
I have a window-punch seat belt hook combo that works well. It's small and difficult to find sometimes though, so the shears usually get used. I try to not whip out a regular pointed pocket knife in the confines of a mangled car.

I'd have to agree with this. Although I have used my folder knife to cut seatbelts, I much prefer my shears or the seatbelt hook/cutter. Either of those are MUCH safer for the patient. Of course, that is IF I can't get the belt unlatched the normal way.

[DaleGribble]

I carry a $30 dollar fixed blade on my belt, but it's for defense, not seat belts. For seat belts I just use trauma shears.

As was already said, much safer for the patient.

[obxprnstar]

I carry a S&W black ops opening assisted knife @ work. But around a patient I usally take the time to fish the trauma shears out of the bag.

I have, on a few occasions, used my knife for "life or limb" cutting.

[lomfs24]

Here's what I have and it works great. The center punch is out of the way until needed and the way the serated edge is you would really have to work at cutting someone. Cuts belts and rope like butter though.

This is my recomendation for a economical solution.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6623898850

And you can usually find these knives on ebay for about this same price.

[Victory]

personally i use a benchmade rescue hook. It's simply much safer for cutting things around pts.

[faceplant]

Use trauma shears. Prevents the embarrassing moment self inflicted wound to yourself :shocked: Or worse the patient. Better yet just unbuckle them.

[lomfs24]

Originally posted by Victory
personally i use a benchmade rescue hook. It's simply much safer for cutting things around pts. I looked at one of those. I thought it looked pretty neat. I couldn't figure out what all it did and the salesman didn't have a clue. There is the hook, that's obvious. Then is that little hole for an O2 bottle? What else does it do?

[Victory]

hook, hole for an O2 bottle and the top can be used as a bottle opener, but that's a little dangerous since you have to grab it by the blade end....i don't know of anyone who hasn't cut themselves using it as a bottle opener.

[I FLEX]

SOG Knives: SOG Trident Folder Knife, SG-TF2

he SOG Trident Folder Knife features a 3.75" clip point blade made of AUS8 stainless steel, .125" thick, with a Rockwell hardness of 57-58. The blade has a notched thumb ramp for secure grip, dual thumb studs, and S.A.T. assist for ambidextrous one hand opening. The black Zytel handle, 4.875" closed, has the SOG Arc-Actuator lock, blade safety, cord cutter groove, and lanyard hole. The side to side reversible discrete carry pocket clip is mounted at the butt end. The SOG Trident Folder Knife has an overall length of 8.5" when open, and weighs 4.5 ounces.


http://www.knivesplus.com/media/SG-TF2.jpg


Commonly used by Navy Seals for the ease of cutting ropes wires, etc. while under water without openning the blade.

[Medic721]

I use the benchmade rescue hook as well. works GREAT, and it has an O2 key in it as well.

look here

http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=5

-Mike

[Quint57]

Kershaw Rescue Blur

http://www.kershawknives.com/knivesTools/rescueBlur.htm

[afdrookie]

Trauma Shears or just a plain ole' seatbelt cutter. Both sell for under 5 bucks. And you won't cut your fingers or your patient!!

[steven andrews]

Hi,
I'm a firefighter in the UK. I use a Res-Q-Me for glass breaking and straps/clothing. I carry a Spyderco Endura for general fireground use.

[RedRyder21]

Plus one on the trauma shears! When I was new I was always thinking about diffrent knives, but I don't like the emabarsment of cutting myself. You get into a high strees type situation and if you aren't careful... Thats why I use my trauma shears.

I do like the looks of that SOG knife though...!
There is also a Smith and Wesson knife with a specialy made blade with curves in it, and a window punch. I like it alot! You can find them for sale at www.galls.com.