2 ResQMes-ETS or Paranoid?

I'm looking at the ResQMe tool (seat belt cutter and emergency window breaker) and my thinking was to attach it to the seat belt just about the buckle, so I would always know where it is if needed. Also, it would be in the spot that I would be reaching trying to unfasten the buckle, and be close at hand.

My thought was to put this on the driver's side, but then I got to thinking that if there was a passenger when something bad happened, the passenger might have a hard time reaching the ResQMe on the driver's selt belt, and I thought that I should have one on the passenger's side too. Eventually this would snowball into having one on the seat belt of everyone who regularly rides in the car.

Question is, is having one for at least the driver and passenger (and maybe one for each normally used belt) good planning, or just plain paranoia?

How about putting some good Velcro on one or two of them and sticking them within an arm's reach of the occupants?

Having four or five of those things floating around seems like a little overkill.

Do you carry a knife (that you can open one-handed) clipped to your pocket or EDC? Between that and one or two of the seatbelt cutters I would think you'd be set.

I have a yellow ResQMe hanging from my rear view mirror. I'm thinking that if I am needing it, I will be in panic mode and will not think to look in an ashtray etc. I'm hoping it will catch my eye and I will grab it. It is also accessible to the front passenger. If the rear passenger can get out of their seatbelt it can be used by them to break the window.

I'm open to other ideas!

Ok, one, maybe.

Its good to be prepared, but plan for things that are likely to happen. Think about all the people you know who've been in an auto in the water. In your whole life. Its just not very likely.

A more useful addition might be a quality first-aid kit, fleece blanket and a flashlight -- things you'll use every year.

2 cents,

TRO

Go take that thing off your mirror NOW! Various vehicle codes address the issue of fuzzy dice, graduation tassles and air fresheners ( I like ocean breeze whale's breath to mask the stale beer stench of my recycling efforts <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />) as visual obstacles. They are also deadly missiles in an impact if broken free. I know of a death from an empty cigar box flying off the rear window deck and breaking the driver's neck. I would ducttape the tool lower in a mutually accessable local such as the center console or radio. Cut some small 'startertears' on tape's edge to facilitate tearing.

I keep mine on my keychain - I'm occassionally a passenger in another's vehicle and always have my keys with me. I had considered attatching it to the front dashboard in some fashion, but the fact that I don't always travel in my own vehicle made me change my mind.

I have in the past, but don't have and EDC one hand opener right now. Patiently waiting for the M2 <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I think I'm going to have to get something inexpensive, 'cause I don't think I'll make it till April!

I'm thinking about EDCing a Benchmade Model 5 or the Smith and Wesson EMT Rescue knife too. I'm thinking that the ResQMe would be for "just in case" I completely forgot to gear up before leaving the house, or for my wife, who is somewhat resistant to EDC anything. So the ResQMe would be a redundant item.

While I'm here, does anyone know the difference between the Smith and Wesson Original 911 Rescue Knife and the Smith and Wesson EMT Rescue Knife? Beside the 911 being discontinued that is.

Ducttape to the center console or door, Chris? That's so ghetto. My wife would give me "the look" for about 10 seconds before and 2 hours after she tore it off. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I think the keychain model is ok and works fine on the keychain. Otherwise, I'm using something a little more "official" to anchor it down than ducttape. I've found my spouse much more forgiving of things that look permanent vs. MacGyvered. In fact, sometimes she doesn't even notice. But duct tape and untamed zip ties are a dead giveaway. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Chris,

You taking to me? Thanks for taking an interest in helping me suck air for a few more days! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

The company suggests mounting the ResQMe on your seatbelt guide on the side of your car. I would think that would be more dangerous than having it forward of you. <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

There's nothing wrong with a little paranoia. <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Why not mount one in the center of the dash with one of those pull-apart clips? And another one on the back of the front seat, accessible to those in the back seat? Unless the car is redesigned in the accident so the dash is in the back seat, a backseat passenger who can't unfasten their seatbelt won't be able to reach the front of the car.

And, although these things work fine in water, they work just as well when the car is on fire. Redundancy in fire-starting equipment becomes a moot point if you are the BBQ-to-be due to lack of redundancy in escape equipment.

Even a kid could use a ResQMe if they knew what it was for and how to use it. You can always get a chunk of seatbelt material for practicing from a wrecking yard.

Sue

I told a friend I bought these and he said "Do you expect to win the lottery and get hit by lightning a few times too?"

It's a very small percentage of accidents that involve submersion or fire, but I figure for a few bucks I never have to worry about it. Paranoia be damned! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Don't we all carry a knife? Why is this tool needed? To break the glass? Take a chunk of the ceramic off a spark plug and try to lightly bounce it off the driver or passenger window. It will go through no matter how lightly you bounce the chunk.

(When I was younger I'd tip the pellets for my pellet gun in ceramic so they could easily take out windows in the junk yard...Magic!)

Massacre: Duct tape it to the dash..BEHIND a picture of your wife (and/or children if you have 'em). She won't remove it, and you'll get points for being romantic.

...gee wiz guys.. do I have to tell you everything.
(married 31 years and still amazed)

Stick it in a small pouch with a flap, then Velcro the pouch to the center of the dash. I had a mini-age, knife, and a rescue tool in mine. Had it low on the dash, and mostly out of sight and mind. Was handy for both the driver or passenger
I now have well modified AMK PSP kits and the tool pouch in each door pocket.

I've been with her for 15+ years. She knows all my tricks. A picture of ANYTHING stuck ANYWHERE is grounds for suspicion! <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I have one in my truck and my SO's SUV both hang from the rear view mirrors with para cord, that way they are always within reach.

The ResQMe is so tiny you could put it in your car's ash tray. If you smoke that might be just another reason to quit???

It needs to be located where you can find it by touch, don't count on being able to see it if/when you do need it. As for one on the passenger side, only if you expect that person to be able to react correctly and know how to use it. I wouldn't spend the $$ on more than one; although it might be good to have a spare if you happen upon an accident and need to get somebody out of their car.

One on your seatbelt so you can follow the belt to the tool in the dark, and a spare in the ashtray (assuming you don't smoke) or in the console where I keep my emergency cutters.

This is the model I have in both cars https://edcdepot.com/merchantmanager/product_info.php?cPath=4&products_id=82 I keep it ziptied to the gearshift. Easy to find and it should stay put during an accident. Even though I usually carry a knife and it is unlikely that I will wind up in a body of water, I still keep it in the car. Reasons being are 1)the door may be jammed shut from the accident and I may need to break the window to get out 2) I cannot get to my knife in my pocket due to an injury 3)my passenger may not be carrying a knife. It's a small piece of insurance for under $10. It sure beats an autohammer in the trunk.

I focus on preparing for the statistically most likely events;
being trapped in my car by a non-functioning seat belt buckle is just not very likely to happen. Think about all the accidents you've ever been involved in, and what tools (and prep) would have been useful: Good brakes, alert driver, airbags, etc. are much more important -- and likely to be used-- than a specific tool.

T