Gerber Hinderer Rescue Knife- a subset of Extrication & Escape

Introduction

Extrication refers to the process of removing a victim from a collapsed structure, whether natural or artificial . Examples include: motor vehicles, buildings, infrastructure, or natural disaster such as flood, mudslide, hurricane or tornado.
Escape refers to the process by which an individual or group of persons attempt to avoid a confrontation with disaster. The scenarios may often be the same as Extrication scenarios.

Entry/ Exit Tools are devices that aid in the process of creating a path between the rescuer and the victim or between the victim ( escapee) and safe haven. In addition, certain tools are intended to aid the professional with the process of containing property damage and risk to life.
Since physical obstructions are common in blocking the way- primitive tools such as axes, lever bars, rakes and hammers are effective in breaking down doors, windows, ceilings, walls and floors as well as to stem the expansion of a life threatening element such as fire or flood. For the professional rescuer, the ability to mitigate catastrophic escalation of damage is also important. For this reason the toolset of the fireman or other rescue professional include the ability to turn off gas, water and electric mains. In the case of some of these tools , they may me multifunctional allowing an axe to also be a lever and a valve shut-off tool.

Gerber Hinderer Rescue Knife- a subset of Extrication & Escape

Specifications:

• Overall Length: 8.5"
• Length Closed: 5.1"
• Length of Blade: 3.5"
• Weight: 5.6 oz.
•Current Price & Source - $69.95 http://www.knifecenter.com
Learn More at... http://www.gerbergear.com

Description
The Gerber Hinderer Rescue Knife is a specialized pocket or garment wearable folding knife that is specifically designed to aid in the rescue of victims of motor vehicle accidents. It is a member of a small niche of pocket knives that allow the rescuer to quickly and effectively cut through seat belt webbing without causing injury to the victim. In addition to this primary function, the Gerber Hinderer Rescue Knife also has the following functions:

- Hook cutter
- Safely slices seatbelts
- Window punch
- Oxygen tank valve opening
- The Gerber Hinderer Rescue Knife can also be pressed into service as an emergency pry tool

We've been working with a local fire fighter on this eval.
He likes it a lot but points out that he removes his gloves whenever using it or any 'small' tool.
Positives:
- A real-world blade that gives the rescuer the option of cutting webbing with either the blade or with the specialized flip out web cutter. I should point out that the small cutter is ideal for paracord, or any narrow synthetic . The main blade is the ideal serration pattern for just about anything from tomatoes to heavy rescue rope.
- A generous bilateral thumb-stud that allows for blade opening with most gloves on ( not recommended for fire gloves as the sensitivity/dexterity really aren't there)
- Safety tip blade may be re-shaped and sharpened to a point
- Carbide glass breaker point on lanyard terminal butt actually works to break the tension in tempered glass such as windshields etc.
- Generously wide lanyard hole allows for easy threading of anything up to 3/16" in diameter.
- Ingenious faux 'axis lock' slider button is actually a liner-lock deactivation lever. This feature alone is worth the price of this product. ALL liner locks should deactivate this way! It's simply not possible to accidentally close the blade by over-gripping the handle or twisting it during operation.
- Hinderer typical handle design is both ergonomic and aesthetically pleasing. The Red scales are a special Fire-engine Red I haven't seen elsewhere (Pantone spec TBA)
- Were all this not enough, the knife stows in a heavy duty belt holster that also accommodates the included tool kit. The tool kit is super handy as it allows for delicate or high torque leverage on the most popular tips.
The Gerber Hinderer Rescue is priced above several other contenders in its class- but considering the total package it's really a better bargain than all of its competitors. Add to this the fact that it's a rescue knife that looks and feels like a premium Hinderer or Strider and the package becomes compelling and unbeatable.

The Gerber Hinderer Rescue Knife can also be pressed into service as an emergency pry tool.

Task Performance Optimization
The Gerber Hinderer Rescue Knife is currently engaged in field trials. Results and conclusions to follow. In the lab it has proven to be very effective in cutting through seat belt material. The flip-out belt cutter is very effective is safely cutting typical seat belts. Some rescuers prefer to use a knife blade in certain circumstances. For such instances, the flip out blade is easily deployed with one hand and allows for the cutting of a wider variety of materials than just webbing. The glass breaker tip is inset into terminal lanyard hardware. This tip quickly breaks the tension inherit in tempered glass windshields, shattering them and allowing them to be removed for access to victims. This function does require a sharp and forceful hit to effectively break the glass, but once practiced a couple of times is easy to repeat effectively.
The Oxygen valve slot is unique on a rescue knife, and puts the Gerber Hinderer Rescue Knife in a class of its own.
We're it not enough that all these features are part of one package, the Gerber Hinderer Rescue Knife also includes a set of common driver tools and a lever to make them operable. All these features are wrapped in the form of a sheath that holds everything securely and yet makes them available at a moment's notice to the rescuer.

Usability & Human Factors
The Gerber Hinderer Rescue Knife is designed with attention to ergonomics and human factors as they relate to the specialized tasks of releasing a victim from a vehicle when no other tools are at hand and then opening and oxygen tank's valve in the course of performing First Aid. Based on preliminary trials, we have come to the conclusion that the Gerber Hinderer Rescue Knife is an indispensable tool for the professional rescuer, weather they are an EMT or Firefighter responding to a motor vehicle accident. The massive build of the Gerber Hinderer Rescue Knife makes it ideal for rescuers that need a heavy duty tool especially when they are engaged in an operation while wearing gloves.
A strong and heavy duty clip allows the knife to be pocket worn.The lanyard hole at the butt end allows for the threading of paracord, split rings or other terminal hardware.

Sheath. The Gerber Hinderer Rescue Knife is furnished with a heavy duty nylon sheath that is velcro looped to allow for secure attachment to any webbing of up to 2.75" in width. Typically, the belt loop is attachable to a duty or EMT belt or to a loop on turnout gear. Obviously, it may also be used to attach the sheath to any pack , carry bag or garment that is covered with webbing or other attachment loop. The snap closure is strong and yet allows for a quick removal of the enclosed knife. A separate slot , forward of the knife compartment, accommodates the handy toolkit.