First Responder / EMT Multitool

M

mikehammer999

Joined
Nov 23, 2007
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Anyone know of a leatherman multi-tool for first responders?

This summer (July / August) I ran across a nice multi-tool designed for first responders, and I thought it would be a great xmas present for a family member that's going to be an EMT / Paramedic.

But now that xmas is here, I can't seem to find it again!

Here's what I remember:
- I think it was Leatherman brand.
- Red
- Had seatbelt cutter, window punch, oxygen tank wrench

It was definitely advertised as a multi-tool / knife for first responders (fireman, EMT, paramedics).

My memory might be hazy, but I thought it was a knife with additional stuff, rather than the two-handle "pure multi-tools" like a traditional leatherman.

Anyone know what I'm talking about?

(it's not the Victorinox SwissTool RS ...)
 
Because of the price and I think the better Utility, I would go with the Vic Rescue Knife. I have one and its a good strong knife, I am glad I have not had to use it because it is for Rescue and or self extraction from my 4X4.

RickJ
 
Shows my age, I "pre-date" all these "Rescue Tools". When I was an EMT I carried a SwissChamp, which worked fine, but a one-handed opening feature would have been much appreciated!

I swear sometimes on an Ambulance, you need 5 hands. :D
 
The Last Confederate said:
Shows my age, I "pre-date" all these "Rescue Tools". When I was an EMT I carried a SwissChamp, which worked fine, but a one-handed opening feature would have been much appreciated!

I swear sometimes on an Ambulance, you need 5 hands. :D
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Or 6 or 7. I am glad I dont ride around on those meat wagons aymore.
 
@SouthDakotan
Thank you! The Gerber was what I was remembering.
I was driving myself crazy pouring through every knife of the Leatherman website, trying to find it. But of course, it wasn't a Leatherman... :)

@Sparkee - that looks like a good knife too. I checked out the video, and it's pretty cool to watch a fireman saw through a car window with it. (not that you're likely to need to do so...)

Has anyone tried the Gerber? I really like the look and feel of it - it seems like solid, substantial knife with some nice features thrown in.
 
personally i would get a leatherman or some similiar in a sheath on your belt and a waved rescue from spyderco. you want a knife that you can access quickly and sometimes you need pliers/screwdriver etc.. just my opinion, i use to ride the ambo but now i am strictly on a truck. now my tool of choice is a halligan:D
 
The Last Confederate said:
Me to, until one flies by me running lights and siren, then I still get that adrenaline surge.

It's a sickness I swear! :confused:
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It dont bother me any since I still ride the engine and tanker so I still get to have all the fun without the mess. In 1 1/2 years I will be a Leo along with being a Firefighter so I will get even more fun.:D

tonydahose said:
personally i would get a leatherman or some similiar in a sheath on your belt and a waved rescue from spyderco. you want a knife that you can access quickly and sometimes you need pliers/screwdriver etc.. just my opinion, i use to ride the ambo but now i am strictly on a truck. now my tool of choice is a halligan:D
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A halligan is my favorite tools also. :thumbup:
 
mikehammer999 said:
@SouthDakotan
...

Has anyone tried the Gerber? I really like the look and feel of it - it seems like solid, substantial knife with some nice features thrown in.
Click to expand...

I looked closely at the Gerber at the Bass Pro in Branson. Honestly, it looked kind of cheaply made, to me anyway.

- Tim
 
I absolutely love the Vic Rescue Tool, and it could be very usefull if you were the first one on the scene of an accident, or if you needed to extract yourself from a locked seat belt or something, But.....I personally don't understand why all of the new ambulance riding EMTs are wanting to carry fancy whizbang, gizmo gadgety knives now days. EMT shears are MUCH more usefull for what an EMT will be doing 99% of the time.

Now, I'm not saying that they shouldn't carry a good knife, because I believe just about everyone should carry a good knife, but the multi faceted rescue knives are for the most part gimmicky.

One of the last things you want to do with an accident victim who might be combative or panic striken is to whip open your gnarly looking brightly colored, super duper, SpyderBenchKerGerbaWesson Jedi Knight Rescue Sabre and head for his/her chest to cut the with it....Think about it! Besides, here again regular old EMT shears work better cutting seatbelts anyway.

I realize that my opinion is not going to be a popular one here a forum where we are all knife nuts, but if these particular knives have a place in this world, all I'm saying is that it isn't in the pocket of an EMT while he/she is working on an ambulance in my opinion.

One place I DO think the Victorinox Rescue Tool could be very useful is on the belt of every volunteer fireman in the country. These guys are not always at the station where the trucks and tools are, and often have to respond to accidents while in their own vehicles, or someone else's vehicle where they may not have any special tools of any kind with them. For these guys, the Vic Rescue Tool could be a blessing in disguise.
 
I've got a Gerber and it is an excellent and well designed knife. Rick Hinderer did the design and, of course, he is a well known custom knife builder and also experienced as an EMT, rescue diver, and firefighter. I haven't had a chance to look at the Vic close up,(it looks like a great tool), but I think your family member would be very pleased with the Gerber. - - -
 
Toll,

I agree, the Vic Rescue should be on every Vol Resue/Firefighter, could save alot of lives. Again I love the tool but hope and Pray I never have to use it but if I do I hope it will help me save a life or lives.

RickJ
 
Having been a riding a truck for 18 years I agree that the my shears do the bulk of the work. As much as I love my autos, Vic Rescue, etc the tool I always have when on the rig is my Gerber 400 Compact. I find I use the pliers quite a bit. I would recommend a quality plier based tool over most SAKS. (And this comes from a dedicated SAK lover). The more time you spend in EMS, it seems the less you tend to carry around with you.
 
Tolly

Could I ask to post a picture of a Shear? I am not a EMT nor fireman but respect them to the utmost! So I have never seen a shear.
 
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