I've just seen a new model sak. The Rescue Tool. It has a saw to cut trough windscreens, wich looked verry impressive in the video.

But.. what do the pro's think ? Is it a usefull investment ?

A little edit. I'm sure it's not up compared to the equipment the pro's have. It's more for the bypassing person who is first by an accident en knows first aid and cpr, en want's to get to a victim.

hmm... cutting through a windscreen without a form of breathing protection...

looks impressive though.

Where can ya buy one?

Having removed untold numbers of windshields since joining the FD back in 89 I would have to say no. First off there are any number of tools out there that do the job much better. Items like hydrolic cutters, specially made saws just for glass removal and our dept favorite... the cordless sawzall!

Using a hand saw on a windshield will cause the vehicle to rock back and forth. Whitout proper stabilazation it will require more effort and more importantly may cause more damage to the patient inside the vehicle.

On the FD the first thing we do "to" a car is "crib" the car. we stack blocks of wood under the fram and then let the air out of the tires to make the car as stable as possible. Then we try the doors or side or rear windows to gain access to the pt. About the only time we remove the front windscreen is if we are going to remove the roof for easier access.

All that being said it may have a place in a FF/EMT/Emergency responders pocket.

Hope this helps.
Be safe

I'll have to agree with Matt26, there are better ways to remove vehicular glass. The one exception might be for the first responder operating from a private vehicle prior to the arrival of emergency apparatus. However, the uses are limited at best. You can probably purchase a spring loaded punch, small prying device, and a "tool box hand saw" for a lot less money.

Having been involved in the rescue of more than one person from a vehicle, I would have to say that the only features I noticed that might be of a little use, other than the bottle opener, are the belt cutter and "window breaker." But, any serated blade will zip thru a seatbelt, and a spring loaded centerpunch, avaliable for a few bucks at any hardware store, will do a better job on a tempered glass window. The very first part of the video, removing the windshield without damaging it, really cracked me up. The times I have seen or done that, removing the "rubber ring" from around the thing is only half of the battle. You didn't just lift the glass out, it was still really stuck to the vehicle. Really really stuck...

IMHO, the Smith & Wesson rescue tool is a better choice. I did an extracation training session with it, although not a real life one.

In Europe I found it for € 59. But since everything in Europa considering nice gear is much more expensive , I figure it would be not more than $ 59 althought a simple exchange rate conversion would suggest otherwise.

If you are going to go breaking glass with people inside, please keep in mind that side and rear windows are tempered glass, which breaks easily with any pointed object, and while the little bitty pieces of glass that result will cut you, but not too badly. Windshields, on the other hand, are hard to break, and make a jillion little shards of glass that will get into eyes, ears, lungs, all kinds of bad places. And glass, when it gets into an open wound, is very hard for doctors to locate and remove, and does not show up on x-rays. So you MUST cover the victim with something (plastic "body blankets" that most highway cops carry work pretty well), and you have to be very careful when you remove the blanket, those little pieces of glass will go everywhere...

I have in my possession one of Vitorinox’s new Rescue knives for testing. I have not had a chance to test it yet, but it is an interesting tool. Like all of Vitorinox’s tool, it is well built . After I test this knife, along with a number of other rescue tools, there will be a review up on ETS main site.

I will say this, I am not excited about a window saw, but we will see how it performs. I am also a fan of using a “Sawzall” on windshields second to that, the controlled use of an axe on a crib vehicle windshield is still the best method for quick access where a “Sawzall” is not available.

Is this knife a good investment? It depends on what you are looking for, most "rescue tools" have little use outside of rescue work although the Victorinox is a SAK and has more then just rescue feature.

It is a high quality tool, and my initial impression that it’s features (besides the window saw) will make it a good tool for EMS providers.

For a rescue knife, it will not replace my Gerber Hinderer in my Turnouts...

Think of scribbing a big X in the glass and then giving it the boot! Actually, I think the side glass would be easier to fracture as the front windshield is a laminate that is more resistant to disintegrating.

Far fromn perfect but want one anyway... Where can one be had?

Matt, I am not sure they are avalible CONUS yet. If you wait until I get my review of Rescue Knives up you may find a different one you would rather spend money on <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I liked your review about the Hinderer. But I have a hard time finding it in Europe.

I'm really looking forward to you review. Have you got any rough estimate when we can expect the review ?

I've seen them here. But then again, if you are going to buy gear here in Europe you're a thief of your own wallet.

I use spyderco assist everyday and gerber hirinder (sp) is my luxury rescu that goes with my "executive" capt gear. sak just looked like a nice lightweight addition to when i'm just supervising <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />... but you got me curious <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

> I would have to say that the only features I noticed that might be of a little use, other
> than the bottle opener,

I'm guessing the bottle opener was useful prior to the car crash rather than afterwards <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

I'm not fond of multi function "Rescue" knives.
An open knife blade is an unecessary added danger for the casualties AND the rescuers at an RTC (MVA), especially when safer tools are readily available - and cheaper. (EMT shears / dedicated safety blade seatbelt cutter / ResQMe)

I carry a plain edged Spyderco Endura for general use and a ResQMe for the cutting of clothing, straps, netting and thin line (fishing line) in close proximity to people or animals.

As a passer-by, it is extremely unlikely that you will have any need to saw a screen. Access will be available by either a door or one of the toughened glass windows. For this the ResQMe is the ideal tool.
I keep one in my car, one attached to my fire jacket and have one that I carry in my pocket if I'm travelling by public transport . 3 ResQMes - that still cost less than one Victorinox Rescue tool.