- Joined
- Dec 27, 2009
- Messages
- 206
I've made several posts talking about how my Saver Salt is deployed in a rescue capacity, both as a professional rescuer and in two cases, to rescue myself!
The story: 6 minutes before closing, a fast moving skier fell into a tree well, and was spotted from the chairlift by a staff member. Though not carrying his radio (very non-procedural, but with 6 minutes left in the day, it's unusual for a lift mechanic to need a radio) his quick thinking allowed him to make the decision to call mountain management- who then contacted the ski patrol office. (all of our injuries are reported through the office in some way)
My first assessment of the scene told me I was dealing with minor bleeding, a possible neck injury, and a possible head injury. The patient's eyes were closed and he was not moving and unresponsive. Fortunately, the dense branches at the bottom of the tree slowed him down so the impact was not as severe as it could have been. Unfortunately, this meant the victim was buried not only in snow, but also under frozen branches. I couldn't actually get to the victim, he was caged in by rock solid pine.
Using my saver salt, I pounded through the ice covering the branches and sawed through them, I ended up making about 6 cuts through 1-inch diameter pine.
Because of the victim's positioning, we could not get a back board underneath him to support his neck- we would have to lift him out of the tree well and still support his neck. Unfortunately, the victim was laying in soft, fresh snow, and we would not be able to fit him with a neck brace normally. My partner decided the best course of action was to break a ski pole in half, and use it to support the half-fastened neck brace. For weight savings, flexibility, and durability, many higher end ski poles are made from carbon fiber. We could not break the pole, so I hastily scored it with my knife in an attempt to weaken it. However, this did not work, and I ultimately had to saw through it completely. By fastening the carbon fiber rods to the patient's torso with tape and rope (both cut with my knife) we were able to support his neck, and remove him from the tree well.
Upon later evaluation, we determined there was no neck injury, but you can't take any risks with the potential of such damage. After administering oxygen and cleaning his injuries, we sent the patient to the hospital with his father for further evaluation.
The fog began to close in, so by the time we rode the snowmobiles back up to the rescue scene, the groomer (imagine a gigantic tiller for ice) had already run over the strewn-out contents of my first aid kit, which sadly, included my now ruined Saver Salt.
Having bought and ruined 2 Saver Salts, I've truly appreciated everything these Spyderco knives have allowed me to do.
Thank you for reading my story, and thank you Sal & Crew for making great, lifesaving tools.
Slightly unrelated..I had started a small rescue model collection, but I sold it due to losing my real job. I hadn't tried any of the knives other than the saver, and I don't know if I'm using the correct knife for the job.
I don't need a lock necessarily, and G10 may be critical- my hands were very torn up because the FRN handle doesn't stay stuck in my gloves. But I'm concerned the UKPK Rescue may just not measure up to the saver salt.
I'd appreciate any input or help in deciding whether the UKPK rescue would work for my purposes. Unfortunately, I don't have the money for one anytime soon..
Itch Blade
The story: 6 minutes before closing, a fast moving skier fell into a tree well, and was spotted from the chairlift by a staff member. Though not carrying his radio (very non-procedural, but with 6 minutes left in the day, it's unusual for a lift mechanic to need a radio) his quick thinking allowed him to make the decision to call mountain management- who then contacted the ski patrol office. (all of our injuries are reported through the office in some way)
My first assessment of the scene told me I was dealing with minor bleeding, a possible neck injury, and a possible head injury. The patient's eyes were closed and he was not moving and unresponsive. Fortunately, the dense branches at the bottom of the tree slowed him down so the impact was not as severe as it could have been. Unfortunately, this meant the victim was buried not only in snow, but also under frozen branches. I couldn't actually get to the victim, he was caged in by rock solid pine.
Using my saver salt, I pounded through the ice covering the branches and sawed through them, I ended up making about 6 cuts through 1-inch diameter pine.
Because of the victim's positioning, we could not get a back board underneath him to support his neck- we would have to lift him out of the tree well and still support his neck. Unfortunately, the victim was laying in soft, fresh snow, and we would not be able to fit him with a neck brace normally. My partner decided the best course of action was to break a ski pole in half, and use it to support the half-fastened neck brace. For weight savings, flexibility, and durability, many higher end ski poles are made from carbon fiber. We could not break the pole, so I hastily scored it with my knife in an attempt to weaken it. However, this did not work, and I ultimately had to saw through it completely. By fastening the carbon fiber rods to the patient's torso with tape and rope (both cut with my knife) we were able to support his neck, and remove him from the tree well.
Upon later evaluation, we determined there was no neck injury, but you can't take any risks with the potential of such damage. After administering oxygen and cleaning his injuries, we sent the patient to the hospital with his father for further evaluation.
The fog began to close in, so by the time we rode the snowmobiles back up to the rescue scene, the groomer (imagine a gigantic tiller for ice) had already run over the strewn-out contents of my first aid kit, which sadly, included my now ruined Saver Salt.
Having bought and ruined 2 Saver Salts, I've truly appreciated everything these Spyderco knives have allowed me to do.
Thank you for reading my story, and thank you Sal & Crew for making great, lifesaving tools.
Slightly unrelated..I had started a small rescue model collection, but I sold it due to losing my real job. I hadn't tried any of the knives other than the saver, and I don't know if I'm using the correct knife for the job.
I don't need a lock necessarily, and G10 may be critical- my hands were very torn up because the FRN handle doesn't stay stuck in my gloves. But I'm concerned the UKPK Rescue may just not measure up to the saver salt.
I'd appreciate any input or help in deciding whether the UKPK rescue would work for my purposes. Unfortunately, I don't have the money for one anytime soon..
Itch Blade
:thumbup:
