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Input from EMT/fire on "rescue" knives.

I personally never used them when I was an EMT, I always carried a Swiss Champ SAK and got by just fine.
 
Carried my Spyderco Harpy or a Delica, both serrated edged, while an EMT. Do not remember really using them for anything. Most of the time I used my Shears.

While a Medic with 2/187 Infantry I carried a Spyderco Remote Release Serrated Edged. Got used a few times for improvised Slings & Splints. Again, mostly used the Shears when near a patient.

Work as a nurse now in a rural Urgent Care Clinic and carry a Spyderco Rescue 93mm. Mostly gets use as a box cutter opening my medical supply orders. Again with the Shears seeing most of the use near patients.

Wish Spyderco or Benchmade would make quality EMT Shears.
 
I think the "rescue" models are mostly over-gimmicky.
On duty, I carry a Spydie paramilitary and a leatherman XTI.
For window-punching, seatbelt cutting, whatever, I usually
use the real-thing, rather than something built into a knife.
Before I got into "real knives", I had a Sog ToolClip in my
turnout pocket for 10 years or so, and I can't remember
it ever not meeting my needs.

Having said that, in my car there's a Becker TacTool
and Benchmade Rescue Hook.
 
I recently asked my EMT Brother-In-Law the same question and I'm beginning to see a pattern here... He said he's been given several quality "rescue style" knives as gifts over the years but has rarely used them for anything other than opening boxes cutting fruit, etc. Like Halfneck, his shears are his "go to" tool for cutting seatbelts and such.

He carries a pair Miltex Mader EMT/Rescue shears he bought off ebay for about 20 bucks.

maderb4045.jpg
 
Another vote for shears for most cutting around patients. I've used my knife for utility cutting at work and have cut materials like window gaskets and single-jacket forestry hose on scenes. I've used it to cut carpet with burn patterns for evidence gathering, but seatbelts and clothing have been cut with shears, and this has been done quite rarely. In truth, I carry my rescue knife to get "me" out of a jam and carry a pair of wire-cutters as well.
 
No "Rescue" knives for me.

I use:
A good folder with a sharp tip for general use (Spyderco Endura 3)
A Res-Q-Me for breaking glass and cutting clothing/straps near people.
Combination pliers.
 
I work rescue mostly in remote areas, so I use knives a lot but mostly for regular cutting chores (not seatbelts or clothing). So I usually carry what I EDC on a regular basis.

However, I do carry a rescue knife when I'm in the city or work in urban areas and I really like the Spyderco Assist.
 
The Benchmade Rescue hooks are a great piece of equipment. Seat belt cutter on that would work very well and not freak out a patient if they looked over and saw a knife - regardless of it being blunt tipped. Like the idea of the oxygen wrench application also. Back that up with a small folder like a Spyderco Delica and some Shears and all your cutting needs are met.

Always wondered if it was possible to put a slot in a Spyderco Rescue 93mm handle around the pocket clip hole for use as a oxygen wrench.

Those Shears look pretty nice, probably will check into them.
 
I could not see anyone cutting someones pantleg open with a Rescue knife. Why anyone would use anything but shears is beyond me.

Now if you were out and you only had a pocket knife on you I'm sure any knife would do in a pinch.
 
One incident I remember a rescue knife being used to cut a patient's clothes was by a Police Officer on scene. Patient's pant leg had gotten caught in the chain or spokes of his motorcycle, or some such reason.
 
Like Steven Andrews, I like having a Res-Q-Me for a window punch and cutting straps and such that might be in tight places or hard to get at areas. In general I use shears for cutting everything else and carry a multitool (typically a leatherman wave) for basically every other chore out there.
 
I'm not a EMT but was showing a EMT friend of mine my spydie 93 mm rescue. He had never seen sheepsfoot blade!!! He liked it but said he always used shears and for other odd jobs liked to have a point. (he carries a cheep pointy knife) I found these sheep foot blades to be ideal on boats while ocean fishing. (pitching deck) I once used one to cut free a small dolphin wrapped up big time in fishing line without fear of stabbing him in the process. I was really impressed with the knife's design in this instance.
 
I tend to go with either an endura with a plain edge or a buck 110. I've used both for over 26 years and been happy with them. that being said I usually use a pair of crash shears {the cheap stamped shears not the nice ones pictured above} when it comes to up close and personal things like cutting a pants leg. as far as tools i have the tools on the engine. I'm sure the "rescue" knives are probably fine but strike me as a little cheesy. as always the bottom line is use what you trust and trust what you use. later, ahgar
 
I carried a spyderco rescue, but always ended up using my penny shears. Be careful if you are a first responder. Last thing you want is someone with a head injury or in a diabetic emergency wandering about the highway.
my .02
--Dave
 
i believe the gerber hinderer rescue knife is designed by a firefighter/emt/knifemaker rick hinderer
 
I carry the Eichorn-Solingen Pocket Rescue Tool II with the spear blade. Why not the rounded blade? I have shears for cutting around the pt, as others have mentioned. You have to think how you're going to justify accidentally cutting a pt... I have used my knife around a pt twice; once, when fire was using my shears at a multiple pt MVC, and the second was when I had to shave the hair off of a pt to gain IV access (yes, he was that hairy!). In the latter, the pt was an asthmatic in respirartory arrest, and my partner needed to knock him down with drugs prior to intubation-- otherwise, I would have taken the time to try to find one of the disposable razors we carry for such purposes.

For non-cutting jobs, I have wedged my knife under doors to keep them open, or under the gurney to keep it from rolling away... some here might frown upon such practice, but I don't do it where I think I'll lose it. Besides, I see my knife (that one, at least) as a tool more than anything, so I make it work for me.

The only other "rescue" knife I have is a Gerber EZ-Out Rescue-- blunt sheepsfoot serrated blade, bright yellow handle. Got it on sale for $10, who could resist? Carried it at work a couple days, then went right back to my PRT-II. What can I say, I need to have a tip on my knives!
 
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