I drive with a toddler very strapped into a back seat in a small car. One of my nightmares is that we’re upside down in a lake and I can’t get his car seat undone (it’s a pain, even when we’re right side up and not suffocating). I’d like to start carrying an escape tool.
Anybody have to use one in an actual emergency? Did you learn anything from it you can share?
For 90% of the vehicle emergencies out there that one will do the trick. I also keep a
in case I really need to rip into something to free someone.
I have used both. Luckily not for myself but lets just say that I even keep a couple in the saddlebags of the bikes.
I have a much smaller one that is on my key ring. it has a blade to cut the seat belt and a device to break a window. I got it at Amazon for 2 @ $8.00. I have not used it but I cross many bridges right next to the ocean. Better safe than sorry.
I started carrying two emergency tools in the car a decade ago.
Mythbusters did a underwater car escape episode. I was very impressed and immediately bought them.
I made sure my daughters watched that segment. So they understood how important it is to stay calm. That they will have time to break the glass and cut the seat belts to escape.
Adam does a very good job of demonstrating a calm escape from a submerged car. I’m sure that segment has saved lives. It’s on YouTube.
I have a window breaking tool… somewhere. I should check on that. Never used it. I bought it in response to all the news reports of children and pets locked in people’s cars in the scorching summer months here in Texas.
It makes sense. If it’s just loose in the car, it’s probably going to get thrown around in a collision or rollover and might be out of reach. It would suck to have bought the right tool but not be able to reach it in an emergency.
I’ve got the Lifehammer Evolution. I like it because I won’t have to swing it if I’m somehow movement restricted or injured. Just press it to the window and the spring loaded ceramic point does the work.
Mr. Murphy says if you’re going to need it (to free yourself) you’re car is going to be upside down, or at least on it’s side. Therefore, that one that was sitting on the floor underneath of your seat is now resting on the bottom (well, not the top) of your seat, which makes it very hard to reach when you’re strapped into & hanging from your seat.
The one I have doesn’t have a mounting bracket, per se, just some velcro tape, low on the driver’s door.
As for the hammer part, I’ve used one many times, both in training & in real life rescues. If you’ve never used one, you don’t swing it like a hammer, you put it up against any car window glass (except the windshield) & push in. This will shatter the glass but keep it intact, then you can gently knock out the little pieces of glass & they will fall straight down as opposed flying in to the person you’re trying to extricate if you swing the hammer or have your hand go thru it. The way I learned to do it is hold it in your hand up against the corner of the window & hold your fist up against your midsection, then gently but firmly lean forward, this is enough to spider the glass due to it’s unique design. Do NOT do this with a house window in the event of a house fire as that is very different glass & will create sharp pieces that can cut you…badly.
Also, if you ever need to get someone out of a car that is in any position other than rubber side down, when you release the seatbelt, either by pressing the button or cutting the webbing, gravity WILL take over.
Make sure you’re not under the person
2.) Try to brace them before you loosen the seatbelt.