Knife rescue tool for fire and EMS

V

vaj1111

Joined
Dec 27, 2005
Messages
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My nephew is graduating from the fire academy and I'm looking for a good graduation present. I was thinking of getting him a Smith and Wesson Rescue tool with a seat belt cutter and a window punch. Any thoughts? Should I just get him a leatherman Wave or similar. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated
 
I'm a firefighter in the UK. I'd suggest either a multi tool (Leatherman or Victorinox Swisstool) or a Spyderco folder (Delica or Endura) and a ResQMe.

The ResQMe is great for breaking vehicle glass and cutting clothing or straps in proximity to casualties, the Spyderco can be used for general fireground use, when it is often useful to have a sharp tip.
Hope this helps..
 
I recommend looking into the Rescue Tool and Pocket Rescue Tool lines from Eickhorn. The Eickhorn knives I've owned or handled have been good quality and well finished. The Rescue Tools seem to be well thought out and tough, with lots of features. Prices should be around and under $100. Google will probably help with finding retailers.
 
I'm not a die hard fan of Cold Steel before anyone thinks this recommendation has anything to do with it. I'm an Air Force Firefighter currently stationed in Okinawa, Japan and I use the Cold Steel Land & Sea Rescue Knife. I've used it everywhere from India to Iraq and for everything from removing clothing from accident victims to cutting rope like butter. It's a great knife and the serrations are still sharp. Another plus with the knife is that the blade is raised from the handle when closed for easy opening with bunker gloves. Btw tell him congrats.
 
I would have to say that the Spyderco D'Allara rescue is a good choice for the fighfighter. I am a firefighter and EMT, and have enjoyed my D'Allara since I purchased it. It's a REALLY solid knife. The only drawback to it is that it is that it is a bit on the bulky side. Despte that, a very dependable blade. The Assist works very well too.
 
bakerbuddy, welcome to Bladeforums!

Do you have any trouble with the ball lock on the D'Allara? Do you ever use it with gloves? (I like the lock on my DoDo, but I don't use that under stress.)

Have you seen the droppoint version? I liked that one ... a kind of Spyderco improvement on the Griptilian.
 
I'm at work right now, and I have a Spyderco Endura 4 in my pocket. I perfer a point and shun "rescue" knives. That is blunt sheepfoot, special purpose knives.

I try at all cost not to use knives around victims. Cramped crowded places where victims and recuers are all moving is not a place I want a sharp knife.The rig is loaded with cutting tools. K 12 saws, chainsaws, saws alls,bolt cutters, ring cutters,hack saws, hand saws, emt shears, special seat belt cutters ( seldom if ever used) make it easy to find the right cuttting tool for the job.

I like a strong pointy knife, for the few times I ever need one on the job.

Off duty I like to carry a big strong knife, as it will be my only tool I have. For that a Strider AR.Gets the job.
 
I know it may be late to reply to this thread, but I was curious if anyone out there had further input. I am an EMT with the City & County of Honolulu, and I have the Eickhorn-Solingen PRT-II. I saw the "EMS" version floating around with the orange handles and rounded tip, but I prefer the point on my knife. I did pick up a Gerber E-Z Out Rescue model because it was on sale for only $10, but I doubt I'd use it at work. I did notice that this Gerber was marked OR, but ones I've seen at Wal-Mart only have 440; they also seem to be "cheaper" in terms of metal quality & build. Among the "cheap" looking Gerbers I saw were the AR 3.00, Paraframe, Bolt, and others. Nothing like the old Guardian and Gator I remember from before.

Back on topic: ever notice that the only people who buy these "rescue" knives are ones who aren't in EMS/Fire? As others have stated, most of us use our trauma shears to cut seatbelts/clotes-- using a knife has usually been a no-no, and you'd have a lot of explaining to do if you cut a patient! I use mine mostly for cutting open boxes or slicing my food.

My current loadout: Left side-- keys with Fenix L0P LED light in pocket, Fenix L1P LED light, cell phone. Right side-- Trauma shears, sharps shuttle, Gerber Multi-Plier all in Rip-Off's holster (shears in the cargo pocket would snag on IV lines), Inova XO3 LED light, Eickhorn-Solingen PRT II in pocket. Anything that can be used as a weapon is kept on my right, easier to protect from grabs. What do you guys carry?
 
I'd go with a 3 to 4 inch folder (Delica was my choice, I'm a HUGE Spyderco fan from experience... I'm usually not "brand loyal" at all. I go with what works the best...and Spyderco has repeatedly been that choice. Just my plug.) and/or a multitool like the Leatherman Wave (but insert you favorite brand here). I liked the Leatherman because it came with the leather sheath which worked better on the basket-weave leather belts I wore (though it's more of a toss-up if you have to DeCon your gear after a messy trauma...but I usually had bunkers/turn-outs on for those). I carried the Wave and a Delica on duty.

One could make arguements for the black handled FRN models (shows up less on your pocket) and against the black FRN models (shows up less when you drop it). My personal choice is plain edge for EDC but a SE can come in handy on duty, if you have a compatible sharpener for the serrations you have. One more edit: The Salt models from Spyderco would also be a good choice to go in bunker/turn-out pockets. No rusting if left wet...it happens, bright yellow handles available...because you WILL drop your stuff, cheap enough to shrug off if it goes missing on a call.

For on the job use I most always used EMT shears on peoples' clothes and on some gear and the Delica on most everything else. I sometimes used a "Jackknife" (a bright yellow seatbelt/clothes razor cutter), but the shears worked better most of the time, and are handed out like candy at the Fire Department I used to work for.

For flashlights, I used to carry a 4 AA model LED Streamlight (bright yellow) because the batteries lasted forever, bright as the best LED models at the time, and hazardous environment suitable. If I was going to buy a flashlight for Duty now (which I will be in a couple of days) I'd buy the Inova T3 (best bang for your buck in my opinion in a light you can bank on). I shyed away from the CR123 Lithium battery models for a long time (preferring to go with rechargable AA and AAA lights instead), but if you buy the Lithiums in bulk on the internet the price is pretty darn good.

Stay Safe and Wear Your PPE!!!

My 2 ¢,

Cameron23
 
Inferno said:
Back on topic: ever notice that the only people who buy these "rescue" knives are ones who aren't in EMS/Fire? As others have stated, most of us use our trauma shears to cut seatbelts/clotes-- using a knife has usually been a no-no, and you'd have a lot of explaining to do if you cut a patient!
Click to expand...

I was just thinking that.

I consider it unprofessional and somewhat negligent to carry a knife around with the intention of using it in proximity to casualties - especially when there are safe alternatives.
 
Well said, Steven; I'd hate to place "rescue" knives in the tool-of-choice-for-your-average-mall-ninja catagory, especially when so many well-respected knife makers have a model or two available.

Cameron: nice loadout. I know what you mean about the decon thing, I've had several calls get real messy, most "memorable" of which was a stabbing where the pt. had decent blood pressure, so he was pumping his blood out all over the place...

Thanks for the responses, even if I did bring up a "dead" post!
 
I'm just an ordinary citizen. Knifes for me are just a hobby. So...i don't know if you can trust my opinion at 100%, but have you ever considered buying something from MOD (Master of defence)? I heard that their blades are very hard and sharp. Some models are equiped with belt cutter. I think it is a good choice for brand. http://www.mastersofdefense.com/
 
MB1,

I had Jim Keating Hornet model quite a long time ago (bought it after the Riddle O' Steel with Mr. Keating himself). That's when I figured out that I really don't care for liner locks (just me personally). Also, I didn't care for the sand/bead-blasted blade it felt weird if my fingertail scratched across it. I think the blades have DLC on them now which (along with the Boron coatings) are tops from what I hear.

As far as the seatbelt cutter models (Dieter?) you just can't beat a free (or $5 max) pair of EMT shears (yes they actually will cut through a penny) that you really don't care about if/when you drop them, step on them, get someone's bodily fluids on them :barf: or otherwise.

My 2,

Cameron23
 
I carry a D'Allara Rescue in my patch coat and have shears and small pliers/side cutters in my pants. On my person, I am usually carrying either a BM 905 Mini Stryker or a Spyderco SS Dragonfly and a Leatherman. I'd agree with others in my use of shears around patients while my knife is used for more utility. I'm also stationed on the water rescue unit, so I wanted a sheepsfoot for on the water stuff. I'm leaning towards an Atlantic Salt or a David Boye sheepsfoot in the near future as a dedicated knife for that use.
 
MB1: I wouldn't disregard your opinon at all, it's just that when Blackhawk first came out, most of their catalogs just struck me as being "cheesy"-- the sort of catalogs that target those guys you see in a bar bragging about whatever "spec ops" they did in `Nam, or mall rent-a-cops who really wish they were on a SWAT team (okay, maybe I shouldn't knock security guards, I've worked that job before too!). I remember one catalog had a cover that showed some building on fire with a "commando" in a parachute super-imposed over it-- they even went through the trouble to photoshop a shadow for him, but it was the wrong size & angle! Inside that catalog were some pretty weird product descriptions, including one where they mentioned they used plastic quick-release buckles instead of metal because it held too much heat, or something to that effect. I thought it was a bad excuse for being cheap. I have not looked seriously into their products since, nor do I own any, so I cannot say anything about the actual products now-- I might be wrong about everything Blackhawk has to offer. I do that I didn't care much for their Night Ops Gladius flashlight-- the switch was too tricky, and the batteries were a pain to change if you weren't paying attention (or so it seemed from the disply I looked at). Surefire, Streamlight, and Pelican still trump them in the flashlight market in my opinon.
 
My personal choice would be a Buck 110/112 or if you want to go tactical then the Endura. I've used both over the years and have never been let down.
A good multi-tool comes in handy also, you don't have to spend a lot of money since you can usually get a good deal on Leatherman or Gerber at Wally World. There are a lot of good knives out there but for the money you can't go wrong. just my opinion, ahgar
 
You may want to check out the new Gerber firefighter knife designed by Rick Hinderer.
 
One of the greatest carry pieces I can think of is the Cold Steel Voyager 6-inch folder. It can slice through seat belts and quickly remove clothing to render first aid. It also is easy to carry anywhere, is light weight and has a tough lock-up.

CS29XXCS.jpg


This knife can quickly free someone who is trapped by their own clothing or ensnared by cords, leather, etc.

The Swisstool is a nice kit to keep in the car or to carry, but the "tools" themselves are not robust -- they're just there.

--Confed
 
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