How to mount a Lifehammer?

I just recently purchased two Lifehammers for both of our vehicles, and I am at a loss as how and where to mount them. They suggest using two sided tape to affix the mounting frame underneath or near the dashboard or center console. I have a hard time believing that the Lifehammer will stay in place after a collision, secured with only tape???

I've read some posts elsewhere that suggested ditching the mounting frame and instead using velcro tape directly on the Lifehammer, and attaching it to the carpeting near the driver's seat? Once again, I wonder how well this would hold up in a collision.

From Compugeek's prior post, I might be interested in looking at a seat belt pocket of some kind, although I don't know what effect this might have on seat belt related injury? Any ideas are appreciated

They have holes for screws.

We plan to use sheet metal screws and mount ours to the body.

Further comment on my own solution:

The pad on my shoulder belt is one of those wrap-around velcroed ones to reduce pressure on the neck. It was solely for my late wife, the belt rides lower on me, so I don't use it.

The belt itself rides on a track on the door, so the upper end doesn't slide through a bracket or anything. I slid it into the pad, just out of sight, and slid the pad up to the top. The fabric is synthetic and quite strong. Any collision bad enough to rip that loose would probably leave me in no condition to try to get out of the vehicle.

I wouldn't want it down on my shoulder, it would be an almost guaranteed broken clavicle in an accident. I've had a cracked one (along with 8 broken ribs), I see no need to see what a fully broken one is like. If/when I have someone in my life again that uses the pad, I'll find a different solution. I wouldn't try mounting the hammer directly to the belt, for fear of compromising the integrity of the belt.

My solution isn't for anyone who actually uses the pad, but it works for me.

The hammer in my work vehicle was moved by the company from the dash to the ceiling just behind the front light, so it would be accessible to most of the people in the vehicle.

That's an interesting idea.

Indeed.

I'll be picking up some mounting tape, and putting mine back on the back of my center console, where passengers can reach it, too.

2009/08/22 5:04 pm -- No, I won't, after all. I realized I can't reach it with my off hand on the back of the center console. For now, it's staying on the shoulder belt.

I hate to be a spoil sport, but I would not be placing that thing anywhere near anyone's head or on a seatbelt next to my body. Looking at the mounting bracket, its plastic and holds the hammer in place with a flimsy tab. I would especially not place it overhead where someone's face could come into contact with it in a rollover. And if its on your seatbelt, what is going to happen when a pyrotechnic airbag comes into contact with it.

I happen the think the Life Hammer more marketing hype than anything else. You don't need a hammer to take out a side window in a car, a simple center punch will do and a seat belt can be sliced with much smaller and easier to carry tools which do not have the likelihood of becoming a missle or head-bash point in a collision. Benchmade makes a nice pocket carry all-in-one solution easily carried from vehicle to vehicle. Even the small Res-Q-Me could hang on a keychain and perform the same function.

Think about where you or your unbelted passengers are going to end up in a collision. Notice how the car industry has padded everything that your head may hit and how safety glass breaks on moderate impact into tiny pieces. YMMV.

Craig.

I have to disagree. I think the lifehammer is a good tool because:

- it's simple and therefore reliable. I have had a centerpunch fail, because the spring came loose.
- It's much more visible than a small rescue tool. Therefore easier to locate. (crashing is disorientating)
- The seatbelt cutter is a hook, which means it's safer to use than a folding knife.
- It also provides good grip. Small tools like a resqme is much easier to drop.

A properly mounted lifehammer is also much easier to grab in an emergency than an item in your pocket (which also can cause injury, during impact) Besides you can’t forget to bring it, if it’s mounted in the car.


I do Carry a resqme on mine belt…

In my case, no airbags, it's up by the door frame, not my head, and I don't do "unbelted passengers".

"Click it or Hoof it" is Rule #1 in my car.

I have a ResQMe on my ignition key. It has a seatbelt cutter and a spring-loaded window breaker on it. By having it on my ignition key ring, its in reach when I'm driving and frequently with me when I'm in someone else's vehicle.

http://www.resqme.com/

Anyone know how well the shears mentioned in this thread work on seatbelts?
http://forums.equipped.org/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=181117

While you still need something for the window I would imagine that it would be much easier to mount and less likely to become a missile in a crash.

EMT shears? Work fine on webbing like seatbelts. Buy them as EMT shears - cheap. They come in large and small - I bout a dozen last time for like $20-25 (small size)

One thing an EMT who did a real world serious test (drill with the army, everyone was in old BDUs expecting them to be cut off) - they go dull fairly fast. He said a pair was good for 2-3 pairs of pants, and then really needed to be replaced. They are cheap because they are disposable - get them contaminated, toss them

I agree with the description and usage of EMT shears. Might I recommend a cheap nylon sheath to go with it it.

I wanted to provide a link to the Benchmade Houdini I mentioned in an earlier post. Spring-loaded punch, cutting hook, and flashlight, all in one easy to carry tool. I prefer this to something that is mounted in the car that can become an injury point in a collision.

Craig.

I have a couple of thoughts about where to place the life hammer or similar tools.

Maybe the transmission hump between the front seats of most cars would be a good place. It is in reach and it is a relatively safe location if the mounting lets go in a crash.

Another thought is about what I saw cab drivers doing with the angle handled tire irons years ago.
They used to keep one tucked beside the drivers seat on the floor beside the door. Again it was within easy reach for whatever you might need a tire iron for, in a hurry.

About seat belt cutters;
There are commercially available seat belt cutters that are light plastic with a utility blade molded into them. They are cheap and can be taped, clipped or sewn onto the seat belt, sun visor or another location that is easy to reach.
If you are in an area of the country that uses milk bags the small plastic milk bag cutters will work on seat belts too.
(Try it on an old seat belt at a scrap yard if you have doubts)

I like crash scissors for a lot of things, but I carry a pair of Olfa stainless scissors in my tool kit.
They are a bit pricey but they work really well
http://www.olfa.com/ScissorsList.aspx?C=53

I've put mine back on the back of the center console of my Escort. (FW Drive, no transmission hump.) I added a velcro strap to ensure it couldn't go airborne. Anyone able to use the Lifehammer should be able to figure out a velcro strap, even under stress.

I used some velcro material meant for cable wraps, etc. It comes in a roll, hooks on one side and loops on the other. You cut off the length you need. You can usually find it in electronics stores, and I believe you can find a similar product in garden stores for staking plants, etc.

The holder mounts with foam mounting tape, and I was replacing the original mounting tape anyway, so I just left a small gap to put the strap in. I didn't want to risk compromising the mounting with the strap under the foam.

It may be overkill, because the holder has a pretty good grip on the hammer anyway, but too much is better than not enough.

Most cars now a days don't have a transmission hump since most are fornt wheel drive. There may still be a hump in the middle but typically its covered by some sort of center console/floor shifter/cup holers, etc.