Rescue Knife Help for an EMT

handiman115 said:
Thanks! I actually looked at those and correct me if I'm wrong but I think most of them aren't pointed tips. I want one with a sharp/pointed tip.
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Those wouldn't be rescue knives then, rescue knives are primarily designed for pull cutting (seatbelts). Trauma shears are the perfect item, strong enough to cut copper cable, seatbelts, clothing, and maintains the safelty of the patient and the staff. I never used a knife near a patient when I worked as an EMT, primarily because I didn't want to freak them out and think I was going to cut them, or to get cut/stabbed myself.

Shroud cutter from ZT is what I consider a great tool, as is the Houdini or Triage from Benchmade.
 
RevDevil said:
Those wouldn't be rescue knives then, rescue knives are primarily designed for pull cutting (seatbelts). Trauma shears are the perfect item, strong enough to cut copper cable, seatbelts, clothing, and maintains the safelty of the patient and the staff. I never used a knife near a patient when I worked as an EMT, primarily because I didn't want to freak them out and think I was going to cut them, or to get cut/stabbed myself.
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That sounds right.
 
handiman115 said:
Thanks! Do me a favor and name them all?
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Sure. Top to bottom:
Spyderco endura
Spyderco delica
ZT 0550
Benchmade griptilian
Benchmade triage

And I agree with Revs recommendation on a shroud cutter to go with your knife. I'm looking for one myself.
 
Handiman, I would select the Kershaw, and here is why. Very few companies stand behind their products like Kershaw. They provide a quiality product, designed by one of the best knifemakers around, built in the USA, and have a tried and true warranty. You really can't go wrong.
 
handiman115 said:
Thanks! Do me a favor and name them all?
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Not a problem.

Spyderco Full Flat Ground (FFG) Endura
Spyderco FFG Delica
Zero Tolerance 0550 first version w/ aftermarket Hinderer texture scale
Benchmade Griptillian. It's the weather-friendly version.
Benchmade Triage
 
Notice I'm not recommending anything, just providing a comparison photo and answering basic questions.
 
I also have to agree with Rev on Kershaw. Their customer service is unparalleled. The Kershaw knockout is a great USA made knife for the money.
 
The knives on the photo: Spyderco Endura, Spyderco Delica, Zero Tolerance 0550, Benchmade Mini Griptilian and Benchamde Triage


However, I'd go with either the Leatherman Wave or the new Leatherman OHT.
 
I would think that sweat>rust would be your biggest concern. You may forget to wipe down your knife after each shift. Personally I would start off with a Spyderco Pacific Salt, or the smaller Salt 1. Both have fairly blunt tips to make them more safe than regular pointy knives. I have both plus a Grip H2O. They are all excellent. I was an EMT in the 80s-90s, and carried a cheap Buck 110 clone. Never used it.:)
 
I agree with RevDevil, I never use my knife around pts. That said, I use inexpensive knives, generally ones I find on sale at Big 5. Losing an expensive knife on scene sucks. That and they seem to "disappear" if dropped in the bus or elsewhere.
 
I've seen EMTs talk about the knives they carry on duty here at Bladeforums for a while and it has led me to wonder a few things-

What do you NEED a knife for to perform your job as an EMT? In other words, what can the knife do that a good pair of shears can't do?

Does your employer have any rules about knives and/or using any unauthorized equipment?

If you used an unauthorized piece of equipment, like say, using a knife to cut someones pants off, and if you accidentally cut that person, could you be fired or sued?

I know several cops, and they won't go near an accident victim with a knife. They use strap-cutters to cut seatbelts. The reason is that accident victims might be unruly, or become unruly at any moment, twisting and flailing their arms and kicking their legs. And the cops don't want to take the risk of accidentally cutting them, or accidentally cutting themselves.

I wonder what would happen if an EMT were cutting somebodys pants off with an unauthorized piece of equipment (knife) and that person started kicking, grabing, etc?
 
I used to work as an EMT in a very small town in NC. I carried a regular locking folder in my pocket always and never really used it while working. Shears work great for anything you need. And they were always there on my pants cargo pocket with a retention snap. YMMV :)
 
killgar said:
I've seen EMTs talk about the knives they carry on duty here at Bladeforums for a while and it has led me to wonder a few things-

What do you NEED a knife for to perform your job as an EMT? In other words, what can the knife do that a good pair of shears can't do?

Does your employer have any rules about knives and/or using any unauthorized equipment?

If you used an unauthorized piece of equipment, like say, using a knife to cut someones pants off, and if you accidentally cut that person, could you be fired or sued?

I know several cops, and they won't go near an accident victim with a knife. They use strap-cutters to cut seatbelts. The reason is that accident victims might be unruly, or become unruly at any moment, twisting and flailing their arms and kicking their legs. And the cops don't want to take the risk of accidentally cutting them, or accidentally cutting themselves.

I wonder what would happen if an EMT were cutting somebodys pants off with an unauthorized piece of equipment (knife) and that person started kicking, grabing, etc?
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I (and any other EMS personnel I know) wouldn't use a knife to cut a seatbelt or clothing for the exact reasons you stated- patient safety. What I find a knife very useful for is getting into the packaging a lot of equipment comes in. My shears are in a cargo pocket with snap closures so it's quicker and easier just to use my knife. It's just a handy item to have just as it is for EDC. Is it 100% necessary? No. Convenient? I would say so. As far as legality goes, for our corps (being a volunteer corps), is protected under the good Samaritan law. However, we all need to be fully trained and follow codes properly. I don't think cutting a patient would become an issue.
 
If you think of the knife as a secondary / backup tool, it may begin to make more sense to those saying it won't get used much.

It may very well not get used much, but it's the times you find yourself needing it that the knife will certainly be a benefit. A piece of kit is broken, lost, misplaced...a buddy needs a cutting tool while your busy with your shears...etc. I hope I'm understood.
 
NeverMore1701 said:
Only ones I'd give a second look at are the Benchmade and Kershaw, but to be honest an extra pair of trauma shears has taken care of 99.9% of the cutting I've ever done on scene or in the truck.

I'd just find a regular pocket knife that you like and will carry when you're off the job too.
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I heartily second this.If you want to break windows get a holmatro spring loaded glass breaker (about the size of a big fountain pen).Res Q Me tool for seatbelts.
 
killgar said:
I've seen EMTs talk about the knives they carry on duty here at Bladeforums for a while and it has led me to wonder a few things-

What do you NEED a knife for to perform your job as an EMT? In other words, what can the knife do that a good pair of shears can't do?

Does your employer have any rules about knives and/or using any unauthorized equipment?

If you used an unauthorized piece of equipment, like say, using a knife to cut someones pants off, and if you accidentally cut that person, could you be fired or sued?

I know several cops, and they won't go near an accident victim with a knife. They use strap-cutters to cut seatbelts. The reason is that accident victims might be unruly, or become unruly at any moment, twisting and flailing their arms and kicking their legs. And the cops don't want to take the risk of accidentally cutting them, or accidentally cutting themselves.

I wonder what would happen if an EMT were cutting somebodys pants off with an unauthorized piece of equipment (knife) and that person started kicking, grabing, etc?
Click to expand...

Like I said toward the beginning of the thread, an extra pair of shears will be exponentially better than any knife.
 
Smith and Wesson makes one just for you guys. model number is 911. It has a blade made to cut seat belt to ribbons. It has a spring loaded shaft to shatter windows. It come with a very nice belt pouch too.
 
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