EMS Personnel - whats your knife?

X

xtramile

Joined
Dec 15, 2011
Messages
103
anyone from ER tech to First responder, what is your on duty knife and why?

i have been ogling over the BM 916 Triage since it came out, and now that i am going to become an emt i was wondering if it would ever see use aside from opening packages.

appreciate it,
XM
 
Im a medic in Memphis and I carry a zt 551 because if I need to thump on it I can, I bought my best friend a bm 915 for xmas he is also a medic as a matter oc fact he had to use the seatbelt cutter last week on an mva its a great blade. Good luck in your EMS career
Oorah
Semper fi
 
I'm only a student, but I carry an Umnum and a Wave on me.

I've got a little "duty pouch" with a punch, RescueTool, pen-light, and trauma scissors w/ rip shears.
 
@Xtramile: General Hardware MFG. No. 79 apparently. Most of the ones I see are aluminum or brass, this one is all steel. I like it. Its heavier than the others, but feels way more solid. My umnum has a window punch, as does the RescueTool. But the springloaded 79 gives you a little more control when taking out a window. You don't have to worry about over compensating and putting your forearm through glass.
 
I work as a Traffic Accident Investigator(MP) for the Army. Currently in Korea. I carry a Triage on my belt. I thank God every day I don't have to use it, but I know that should the need arise, it will be ready. I have yet to use the window punch, but the seatbelt cutter works just fine. I used it to cut through a pair of old combat boots. It was too easy. I got the flat tip/chisel grind model in black with the satin blade, just because I was worried about the orange handles getting some higher ranking person in a frenzy (stay in your lane). But yes, so far I have been very happy with it, but day to day activities, i find myself reaching for my para 2 or mini-grip. Good luck!
 
I'm not EMT, nor do I own a Triage but I figured I'd give my opinion. I think the great extra features on the Triage are for "when the time comes", not something you'd probably use everday. I think they're pretty nice, considering you get those extra features on a very well-made knife. I want one.
 
David_Parker03 said:
I've got a little "duty pouch" with a punch, RescueTool, pen-light, and trauma scissors w/ rip shears.
Click to expand...

Eventually you'll get rid of the sheath. Give it time. Shears on you legs, bigger light in a pocket or on the belt. Move the punch to your jump bag. Same with the pen light. Never get off the truck without your tools. I carry a "go bag" which is just a small backpack I got in A-Stan that has a protocol book, reading books, extra batteries, other seldom/never used stuff. It stays in the rig during shift. It keeps me light and free. I have yet to punch a window in 6 years. We run about 30,000 calls a year between 5 trucks. It gets old carrying all that shit. *off the soapbox*



I carry a LM Wave and a '70s Case Stockman or a new Buck solo. I need to get a new Case or GEC stockman so I don't lose my old one. I carry a pos $5 Winchester on my radio strap, but next shift I'm going to switch it out with a LM Skeletool I just found in a box from moving. Keep it super sharp.

On a related note, it looks like my wife is going to get me a Fenix PD32 for my birthday, so I'll finally have a nice light again. I lost my two decent lights in Afghanistan. :(
 
I'm not an EMT but I do voluntary SAR. I usually carry a Leatherman Charge and lately a Spyderco Paramilitary or ZT 550.
 
I agree with medicevans. I'm a medic in Philadelphia and after awhile you will streamline your gear. I carry an Emerson Horseman, a pair of trauma shears, a Fenix PD20 and a cheap stethoscope. DO NOT waste your money on an expensive one they get lost and stolen constantly. Hope this helps.
 
Yeah, I asked a couple EMTs about their knives. I thought maybe there was a "niche knife" to be made.

What I found out is that a lot of first responders carry trauma shears and reach for them first when things need to be cut.

Shears will cut dense and fibrous materials with less effort
Shears are less expensive, and therefore less costly to abuse/lose
Shears are easier to use for cutting seatbelts and other materials which are close to an already injured/panicked accident victim.
 
snyper1ad said:
I agree with medicevans. I'm a medic in Philadelphia and after awhile you will streamline your gear. I carry an Emerson Horseman, a pair of trauma shears, a Fenix PD20 and a cheap stethoscope. DO NOT waste your money on an expensive one they get lost and stolen constantly. Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

I am on my third littmann cardio III and the next one I buy will be a classic II. Zero need for a $250 scope.
 
thanks all for sharing some gear, any others out there? really like to know what others carry in my future profession .
 
Let see, yesterday I carried a GEC Ben Hogan, made short work of the apple I had for dinner, I have been a medic for many years and have personally never used a knife anywhere near any patient. You can get by with Trauma shears, stethoscope and a flashlight you don't mind losing and I keep a water bottle on the rig, sometimes its a long time between having time to stop for a drink!

USMCSNIPER34 said:
Im a medic in Memphis and I carry a zt 551 because if I need to thump on it I can, I bought my best friend a bm 915 for xmas he is also a medic as a matter oc fact he had to use the seatbelt cutter last week on an mva its a great blade. Good luck in your EMS career
Oorah
Semper fi
Click to expand...

Elvis Presley Trauma still look like a scene from Grand Theft Auto?:D
 
Last edited:
So.....what kind/brand of shears would you guys recommend?
Shorttime said:
Yeah, I asked a couple EMTs about their knives. I thought maybe there was a "niche knife" to be made.

What I found out is that a lot of first responders carry trauma shears and reach for them first when things need to be cut.

Shears will cut dense and fibrous materials with less effort
Shears are less expensive, and therefore less costly to abuse/lose
Shears are easier to use for cutting seatbelts and other materials which are close to an already injured/panicked accident victim.
Click to expand...
 
xtramile said:
anyone from ER tech to First responder, what is your on duty knife and why?

i have been ogling over the BM 916 Triage since it came out, and now that i am going to become an emt i was wondering if it would ever see use aside from opening packages.

appreciate it,
XM
Click to expand...

I honestly always carry what I EDC. I have had to use a knife before, but to cut clothes off a pt, I would much rather use shears than even a blunt-tip knife.

Do carry one though
 
akula83 said:
So.....what kind/brand of shears would you guys recommend?
Click to expand...

If you like the "tactical" look, NAR makes a really good pair for like 10-15 bucks?

Don't buy the ebay $5 ones though, they crap out easy

ZZ-0064_a.jpg
 
I was bored after I retired from USAF, so I became an EMT and volunteer firefighter. During my training, I worked with several of the larger EMS companies in the Dallas area and they all had cases of ADC shears. They were free for all the employees and worked well enough. I could cut a nickel in half with them...but they were pretty useless after that particular trick. :) In regular use, they worked well and I had no complaints about their function or longevity. So you might check and see if your employer supplies your shears for you. If not, just go to Amazon or Galls and buy a few pairs.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top