Has anyone actually seen or played with one of these?

Res-Q-Me

Looks like it could be useful and it "fits" on the key ring.

They say it will pass through airline security and if it gets confiscated, the company will replace it (on their forum).

Now if they only made it in black . . . .

I have seen something like it, it's more like a hammer and saw. I don't know why you would want to cut your seatbelt, as that should always be in tip-top condition. Also if you drive safely you should never need it. But, it is a g0od step in the direction of prepardness. Couldn't hurt to have one. <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Under normal conditions you would not want to cut your seatbelt.

There may be a need after you have been in an accident. Cars are deformed in accidents as well as the contents shifting around. It is not always possible to get to the the buckle after a collision.

If the vehicle becomes submerged, people often panic and forget how to unbuckle their seatbelt.

You would cut your seatbelt of the seatbelt of someone you were assisting to be able to remove them from a vehicle. This may be important if the interior of the vehicle is on fire. Do you want to stick your head into a burning vehicle to be able to reach the buckle on the far side? Easier to cut the belt and drag the vicitim out.

They have two disadvantages:
- they don´t break laminated glass
- due to the small size they´re hard to handle when you´re really nervous

If that´s not an issue for you, they may be usefull. I´m not sure about the keyring but with the options from the other pictures, you probably can´t reach it when you need it.
I prefer the bigger tools.

I appreciate the comments on this post, because my sister-in-law asked about such a device last week and I told her I didn't think there was much value. Now that I've thought of it more, I think that it might be a good tool to have in your auto, for someone else's sake. Since coming to this site some time ago, I always carry my benchmade mini-griptillian, so the knife is covered. But I remember following a car back from skiing and the driver fell asleep and rolled over, landing on it's top. The doors wouldn't open, but they weren't hurt bad enough to not roll the window down. Suppose they were and you needed to get them out? Another time, a car was pinned against a railing, next to the river, by a semi that lost it's traction. The only way out was through the hatch. What if it didn't have a hatch? Sure you can use other devices, but for $10, it could be handy. I also wonder if it might have a use for travelling and might be effective on 3/8in hotel room glass? Just thinking out loud.

If you just want the punch, you can buy a spring loaded centre punch for less from a hardware store.

Sorry, I have not replied sooner, but I have been at a trench rescue class for the last week. I own several of these and have had the opportunity to use the cutter on a vehicle rescue. I have one attached to each of my PFD's, carry one on my rappelling harness and carry one when I am on the Medic unit. I used the cutter to cut a seat belt during vehicle extrication about 6 months ago. It worked fine. We almost always cut the seat belt when someone is still in the vehicle. It is not always possible or advisable to release the seat belt at the buckle. Pete

Will these punches attach to your keyring? If they don't, you won't carry one with you at all times.

Are you SURE it will pass through airport security? Security in general, from what I have seen, is closed up tighter than a cow's ass at fly time.

I don't know if it will pass through or not, but according to the manafacturer, if it does get confiscated, you just have to contact them with the flight number/day and time and they will replace it for free. Don't know, but it sounds okay.

ParamedicPete, thanks for the info!
Is the body housing plastic or metal?

I guess I'll get one and let everyone know what happens the next time I fly <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />