Something everyone should know. It could save your life.

[colmbo]

As a Crash-Rescue firefighter we had harness cutters so we could reach in and release lap belts or harnesses if needed, but as the occupant it's going to be a lot easier and faster to just use the normal belt release vs ANY rescue tool.  Do what you're used to doing, don't start changing things up in times of stress.

The odds are very slim your belt release will fail to function.  I know of one case where the victim was screaming his belt wouldn't release as his float plane sank.  Recovery personnel were able to release the belt in the normal manner without any problem.  Stress makes even the simplest task difficult.

If you're going to use a window popper be sure to do it on the side glass, you won't be able to get thru the windshield.

[Slate]

  I have this $15.00 knife clipped to my seat belt buckle. It has a carbide glass breaker and seat belt cutter as well as a sharp blade. Easy to find knowing it's right where you unbuckle every day.

[narsus]

As a Crash-Rescue firefighter we had harness cutters so we could reach in and release lap belts or harnesses if needed, but as the occupant it's going to be a lot easier and faster to just use the normal belt release vs ANY rescue tool.  Do what you're used to doing, don't start changing things up in times of stress.

The odds are very slim your belt release will fail to function.  I know of one case where the victim was screaming his belt wouldn't release as his float plane sank.  Recovery personnel were able to release the belt in the normal manner without any problem.  Stress makes even the simplest task difficult.

If you're going to use a window popper be sure to do it on the side glass, you won't be able to get thru the windshield.

I was in a bad car accident around Christmas 2 years ago and was trapped in the car. I hydroplaned of the highway and t-boned a tree on the drivers side. I was pinned between the door, steering column and center console, I broke my pelvis and shattered my left elbow. I could not reach my seat belt release on my right side with my right arm, and was trapped in my car for 30 minutes.

I called 911, no passer by stopped to help, and luckily I didn't pass out.

Even after the fireman and EMT used the jaws of life on the door and removed the roof they still couldn't get me out. I had to "wiggle" my my out of the car, thank god I was in shock and didn't feel it as much as I should.

I now have side air bags in my car and a seat belt cutter, though I may get that combo thing.

[homersipes]

I have one of those automatic salamander punches, amazing little tool would have never thought of it to break glass though maybe I will have to try it. glad my bleep has no doors and my truck has manual windows.

[smoe]

I picked up one of those 5-in-1 seat belt cutter and window snap style hole punchers. It is a light weight device and I think it even has a couple LED signal lights as well. I think I found it at Walmart or an auto-parts store. I currently store it in my car’s ash tray. I am thinking of tying it to a string or using Velcro so it can be found should the accident be a serious one. I am pretty sure the ash tray lid will not hold it if the car takes a large hit.

Mythbusters had a good episode on how to escape a car underwater:
http://mythbustersresults.com/episode72

[ImADot]

And if you live in the North and like to drive out onto frozen lakes to go ice fishing, drive with your windows down just in case you go through the ice...

[guncrasher]

I dont carry a knife or anything.  i dont believe in driving in the rivers.


semp

[kotrenin]

I have had a couple of those knives with the window punch tip, they are OK but you need to hit the window with a lot of force and really make sure you get 1 of the bottom corners. I wouldn't want to be in that position and not have the strength to break the glass.

[Dragon]

I'll admit it is slightly above the middle of the scale in terms of borderline paranoid preparedness, but it would be something that if you needed it, you'd be pretty happy to have it.  At least it looks like it would do the job it's designed for.  My only question is, where does one put it in the car?  It wouldn't be much good if you couldn't reach it.

Wiley.

I keep a Leatherman in my door pocket at all times because it is an overall good tool to have and am sure I could use it to break a window if I ever found myself boating the Jag in lake Erie or floating down the Cuyahoga (hope it's not on fire). 

Buying a tool to break glass in case of an auto boating mishap is more than "slightly above the middle of the scale".