I've been asking myself a question and I'd like to submit it to you by the form of a scenario... with some twists.

I assume that you EDC some form of blade (folder, fixed, multitool) on you. Here it is:
You are driving your car alone, your safety belt is attached and you EDC some form of blade (folder, fixed, multitool) on yourself.
Bang! you are in an accident. For now you are not hurt but you can't detach your safety belt, the mechanism is blocked and nobody can help you. You say to yourself: "No problemo, I've got a blade on me".

That was the senario. Now here is the question: how do you get that blade out?

Now comes the twists:
- Same scenario, but your legs are broken.
- Same scenario, but your arm (the one on the same side as your blade) is broken.
- Same scenario, but your it's winter and you are wearing a winter coat.
- Same scenario, but the car is upside down.

Just for the fun of it, get into your car attach your safety belt and try to get that folder out of your pocket pants or you belt pouch. The way I see it you need a fair amount of wiggling to access it and take it out.
Should it be worn somewhere else when in the car?

Stefan

There is a different appraoch to this scenario. Get a seatbelt cutter and attach it where you can reach it with either hand. That´s fairly cheap and save. The cutters are build to cut in confined spaces with virtually no risk of injury. When it´s attached in the car you can´t forget it.

And what if you are not in your car?

Stefan

"Same scenario, but your arm (the one on the same side as your blade) is broken."

Wahh! I keep a blade on both sides. Now both my arms are broken!

The cutters are cheap, flat and lightweight. One in the pocket of the shirt can´t hurt.

Our retired CHiP 'OldBaldGuy' has posted before stating he never saw a restraining belt failure. I've had one occasion to use a knife in a roadside emergency. A VW convertable was in an accident.The driver's door was buckled and the passenger side blocked by a retaining wall. Older Beetles are somewhat notorious for fuel line leaks and engine fires. There was some fuel leakage and the driver screaming to get out. I cut the top open and he climbed out. Then I had to literally force him into my tank Volvo. Standing anywhere on a California freeway is asking for it. My greatest concern is going off the roadways. Stories are legion of people found injured or deceased sitting wrecked beyond immediate view. I would be more concerned with a accessable cellphone, whistle or best of all portable horn on a compressed charge.

I'm in the same boat as Brangdon 2 broke arms because I have one on each side also. Wave oneside PSK II on the other.

The hardest would be in winter gear but I should be able to unzip and cross draw is one arm works.

With 2 broke legs I could get the belt cut but don't know if I could then get out.

A noise maker especially a whistle is a very good idea.

"And what if you are not in your car?"

What? You just said you were in your car! All of my seatbelts are inside the car. If you're outside the car, the chances are excellent that you don't need to cut your seatbelt.

Am I missing something here?

Sue

I have a Spyderco in my right side hip pocket EDC, so even with a broken arm, I could reach the knife and extract myself.
A whistle or noise producing device does sound like a wonderful idea,
now I know what to do with a freebie whistle that I picked up recently.

I mean being a passenger in someone elses car!

Stefan