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Rescuetool car location
- Thread starter faca
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Does your car have a center console? If so, that puts it within easy reach of driver and passenger.
If not, you're limited by what storage is in the cockpit *within reach* of you. Presumably, you're the one going to use it first because you know it's there. Rescuers and passengers will *not* know it's there, so make it convenient for you.
Make sure it's enclosed storage: most varieties are too big to put over the sun visor (and that's a bad place to put anything not firmly attached). You don't want it dropping out and hitting you. Hence, a console, compartment, or even the little container in the driver's side door, near your foot.
If not, you're limited by what storage is in the cockpit *within reach* of you. Presumably, you're the one going to use it first because you know it's there. Rescuers and passengers will *not* know it's there, so make it convenient for you.
Make sure it's enclosed storage: most varieties are too big to put over the sun visor (and that's a bad place to put anything not firmly attached). You don't want it dropping out and hitting you. Hence, a console, compartment, or even the little container in the driver's side door, near your foot.
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Is this a tool that would be against the law to conceal inside the passenger compartment? Everything is against the law here in California, even concealing a small bat for self preservation is a felony, so you might check with your local laws to be sure you aren't asking for trouble.
This is a good question, one that I've been thinking about. I want to secure a similar tool, and have it easily accessible. Problem is, in a crash or accidental "run off the road", velcro or the console might not hold it.
I'm thinking of getting a swaging tool, and making a small length of steel cable with a loop on each end, then using carabiners on each end to attach the tool to the support bracket on my seat. That way I can push it under the seat and out of the way, but still get to it in an emergency.
I hadn't thought about the legalities, though....
I'm thinking of getting a swaging tool, and making a small length of steel cable with a loop on each end, then using carabiners on each end to attach the tool to the support bracket on my seat. That way I can push it under the seat and out of the way, but still get to it in an emergency.
I hadn't thought about the legalities, though....
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Not an actual attorney, but...
The primary purpose of these rescue tools are to gnaw through seat bealts and shatter a car door window after an accident. They're small, and look like totally ineffective hammers. The should be immediately recognizable to law enforcement as such.
I can't imagine anyone would use this as a weapon, when a car is already full of more practical expedient weapons...even the car itself!
And placing it in the compartment is merely to secure for easy reach in an accident, not to conceal it. That may sound like weasel-talk, but really these things are about as threatening-looking as a tire gauge or third-party cup holder...which probably would be better weapons in a clinch...
The primary purpose of these rescue tools are to gnaw through seat bealts and shatter a car door window after an accident. They're small, and look like totally ineffective hammers. The should be immediately recognizable to law enforcement as such.
I can't imagine anyone would use this as a weapon, when a car is already full of more practical expedient weapons...even the car itself!
And placing it in the compartment is merely to secure for easy reach in an accident, not to conceal it. That may sound like weasel-talk, but really these things are about as threatening-looking as a tire gauge or third-party cup holder...which probably would be better weapons in a clinch...
MelancholyMutt
Doggy Style
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skammer said:
DO NOT VELCRO IT...
it takes only a few pounds of energy to remove something that is velcros into place.
A car crash exerts, at 30 miles per hour, over 12 tons. the velcro'ed item will be thrown. Most everything will be thrown. Compartments will probably be forced open, or jammed shut. In a bad wreck, chances are that the hammer tool will most probably be useless or you will be unable to use it (I'm not saying that you should not have it). Its best use will be if you're a bypasser turned rescuer.
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I read in a car magazine, I think it was Car and Driver a review of the hammer type tools. It basically said to save your money, they couldn't get it to work as directed. They couldn't break a window. I am searching for the article or a link. I'll post it when I find it.
Paul
Paul
Merek said:Bull! You can crack a windshield with gravel or a BB. If they couldn't get it to work it was because they were girly-gripping the tool too close to the head.
Agreed.
Pushing a point of any decent blade will shatter the side windows easily. No doubt a girly man article.
Skam
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They did the article and tested thing at a junk yard. I'm still looking for the test. I have seen prick punches work. I will find the article. It was a shock to me to. I have seen the windows shatter with a prick punch at an EMT class and other items.
Paul
Paul
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I've seen cops hit car windows full force with a 21" steel ASP baton and not have it break on the first strike, I doubt a little plastic hammer will break most windows easily, especially on cars like my mothers older mercedes which has double thick glass.
Most of these are fertilizer-grade, but there are a few exceptions. The problem seems to be that the "hammer" is pathetically small and light, and isn't going to break car glass. A $10 centerpunch from a hardware store would do FAR better, in addition it could be more easily secured as it is so small. I can speak from firsthand experience, if its not locked up, expect to get hit in the face with it in a car accident. The airbag blew my glasses clear off my face and into the back seat (somehow). I now keep everything locked up. Someone else here told a story of a knife, kept in a compartment and closed ended up open and embedded hilt-deep into the back of a headrest, or something along those lines. Accidents suck, don't make them suck more by getting hit in the head with your own rescue tool 
Lemme see if I can find the link...
Aha. The Res-Q-Rench is aimed towards professional firefighters, so it looks to be made of sterner stuff than the barbie-hammers that get sold at K-Mapart.
Another idea is obviously the S&W Firest Response (SW911) but that may or may not fall under the concealed-weapon clause discussed earlier.
If anyone has actual first-hand experience with any of these, gimmicks or not, please share! I'm contemplating both.
Lemme see if I can find the link...
Aha. The Res-Q-Rench is aimed towards professional firefighters, so it looks to be made of sterner stuff than the barbie-hammers that get sold at K-Mapart.
Another idea is obviously the S&W Firest Response (SW911) but that may or may not fall under the concealed-weapon clause discussed earlier.
If anyone has actual first-hand experience with any of these, gimmicks or not, please share! I'm contemplating both.
Guys...
Get an automatic centerpunch.
You push it against the window, it hits pops out and shatters the glass into a million pieces.
The windshield on a car is coated so that it doesnt shatter, but holds together.
If your going to try and kick that out, you have to break the bond of the plastic film.
Get an automatic centerpunch.
You push it against the window, it hits pops out and shatters the glass into a million pieces.
The windshield on a car is coated so that it doesnt shatter, but holds together.
If your going to try and kick that out, you have to break the bond of the plastic film.
Guys,
There as been alot of good points made as to where to mount your rescue tool regarding ease of access, legality and such. Time to add my 2 cents. I have been in full time professional EMS for almost 24 years and have responded to 1000's of auto accidents. I have NEVER EVER EVER NEEDED to cut a seat belt to extricate a patient. I just push the release. As far as using the window breaking feature, if you need to break a window to get out I doubt you will be in any condition to do it yourself.
I can't ever recall going to an accident and saying " If only they could have gotten themselves out in time..."
If you feel the need to have window breaking abillity then get a spring loaded center punch. In the cramped confines of a wrecked car and possibly injured you will not be able to swing any type of hammer well enough.
Good Luck
Allan
There as been alot of good points made as to where to mount your rescue tool regarding ease of access, legality and such. Time to add my 2 cents. I have been in full time professional EMS for almost 24 years and have responded to 1000's of auto accidents. I have NEVER EVER EVER NEEDED to cut a seat belt to extricate a patient. I just push the release. As far as using the window breaking feature, if you need to break a window to get out I doubt you will be in any condition to do it yourself.
I can't ever recall going to an accident and saying " If only they could have gotten themselves out in time..."
If you feel the need to have window breaking abillity then get a spring loaded center punch. In the cramped confines of a wrecked car and possibly injured you will not be able to swing any type of hammer well enough.
Good Luck
Allan