Hello,
I will preface my comments by saying Aron Ralston is totally hard-core and has what it takes to survive. My hat is off to him for his bravery and endurance.
However, let us not underestimate the human will to survive. While (thankfully) not common, Mr. Ralston is not the first one to use a knife to perform a self-amputation to save his life. I guess in this age of cable TV news this story is a home run.
Now, it turns out the "knife" he had was a Leatherman knock-off:
"He described it as a cheap imitation of the Leatherman brand multitool, a folding device which typically has knife blades, pliers, screwdrivers and other gadgets. He didn't give the brand, calling it "what you'd get if you bought a $15 flashlight and got a free multiuse tool.""
There was also this tidbit of info:
"Ralston tried to amputate his arm on both the third and fourth days but the knife was too dull."
Why does someone this well versed in rock climbing place his trust in a Leatherman knock-off?!? Perhaps if he had a decent knife and a *real* Leatherman his amputation would have gone better and caused him less agony. Possibly, had he been carrying a Cold Steel Trail Master or other such knife, he may have been able to use it as a pry bar to move the boulder just enough to free his arm. We will never know. What we do know is that he cost himself a six figure endorsement deal from any number of major companies...
I'm so tired of this "Why should I carry anything more than a nail file?" attitude so prevalent among "real" outdoorsmen. Way too many sporting goods stores stock nothing but small folders and multi-tools. Believe it or not, sometimes people actually get into serious trouble and need heavy duty cutlery to survive. You don't pack a bowie because you absolutely must have it, you pack it because you may need it in a situation where nothing else will do. The old adage is correct: The farther you are from the road, the bigger your knife should be.
Later,
MBS
I will preface my comments by saying Aron Ralston is totally hard-core and has what it takes to survive. My hat is off to him for his bravery and endurance.
However, let us not underestimate the human will to survive. While (thankfully) not common, Mr. Ralston is not the first one to use a knife to perform a self-amputation to save his life. I guess in this age of cable TV news this story is a home run.
Now, it turns out the "knife" he had was a Leatherman knock-off:
"He described it as a cheap imitation of the Leatherman brand multitool, a folding device which typically has knife blades, pliers, screwdrivers and other gadgets. He didn't give the brand, calling it "what you'd get if you bought a $15 flashlight and got a free multiuse tool.""
There was also this tidbit of info:
"Ralston tried to amputate his arm on both the third and fourth days but the knife was too dull."
Why does someone this well versed in rock climbing place his trust in a Leatherman knock-off?!? Perhaps if he had a decent knife and a *real* Leatherman his amputation would have gone better and caused him less agony. Possibly, had he been carrying a Cold Steel Trail Master or other such knife, he may have been able to use it as a pry bar to move the boulder just enough to free his arm. We will never know. What we do know is that he cost himself a six figure endorsement deal from any number of major companies...
I'm so tired of this "Why should I carry anything more than a nail file?" attitude so prevalent among "real" outdoorsmen. Way too many sporting goods stores stock nothing but small folders and multi-tools. Believe it or not, sometimes people actually get into serious trouble and need heavy duty cutlery to survive. You don't pack a bowie because you absolutely must have it, you pack it because you may need it in a situation where nothing else will do. The old adage is correct: The farther you are from the road, the bigger your knife should be.
Later,
MBS
They do cost an arm and a leg though!
