Offroad-Express

Has anyone got any of the commercial ones and do they have any thoughts on them? one that has a decent mount would be good?....has anyone had to use them or anything else to escape a vehicle?

To break glass easily all you need is a spring loaded centre punch. Get those from any engineering shop and they are the size of a pen. Some of them even have a clip on them like a pen, so you can stick them on the sunvisor or in your shirt pocket.

For work we use them, here's a link to a supplier we use, he sell's all that type of gear, as stated the spring loaded centre punch is best on all side and rear windows but no good on modern front windscreens due to the plastic in the middle of the glass, you need a saver saw for front windscreens and literally cut it with this type of saw.
Seatbelt cuters are also available from Delis, he is based in Christchurch.

http://www.delistools.co.nz/rescuetools.htm

Rexel had a torch for $19.99 that has belt cutter, hammer thing for windows and of course a torch that lights things up... oh and it has a mount that so far it hasn't fallen out of!

Transport tools in ChCh have Bus Emergency hammers/cutters for $25 with holder.

MudBum wrote:Transport tools in ChCh have Bus Emergency hammers/cutters for $25 with holder.

Thats what Iwas going to buy, until I saw the torch thing at rexel

Hmmm might have a look at those as well.

ive had a few roll-overs and have had to cut the seatbelt only once,(i thought the car was on fire) when you are completely upside down it can be difficult to unlatch the seatbelt as its loaded up. if im going out offroading i usually keep a stanley knife in reach in case it goes over and i need to get out in a hurry.

Electric windows don't work when they are upside down (i'm told) ....

Disclaimer: I haven't err tested this yet

Jerry wrote:Electric windows don't work when they are upside down (i'm told) ....

Disclaimer: I haven't err tested this yet

I find that hard to believe....

Petemcc wrote:

Jerry wrote:A - Electric windows don't work when they are upside down (i'm told) ....

B - Disclaimer: I haven't err tested this yet

I find that hard to believe....

A or B

A.

As far as im aware they are just an electric switch. Unless they have something built into them to stop them working when upside down for some reson then i don't see why they wouldn't work.

Pete

just a little caution about seat belt cutters and being upside down, when you cut you or someone else down they fall and get head and/or neck injury from landing on roof. (I know it sounds stupid but have seen the results of the fall onto head and caused an uninjured person a long stay in hospital). Have to say the only times I have seen a seat belt so jammed that it would not undo they were so trapped that it was the least of there worries.
I say use spring loaded center punch and clothing shears to cut belt ( more useful for other tasks also).
My 2cents

electric windows do work upside down.......but it would have to be a nice gentle rollover to not break any of the windows anyway?

I bought a pocket knife off traedme with a seatbelt cutter and a glass punch built into it .. I keep it in my center console ..

.. I keep it in my center console ..

I have been in several roll overs and have learnt that when the world turns over, things that you think are sercure tend to float around the cabin area, glove boxes and consoles disgorging their contents, trying to do further damage to you, ignition keys falling out preventing the driver from turning off the motor.Its all fun ... The last thing anyone wants to think about is is the glass punch (cutter thingie )still in the centre consul when the motor is screaming its nuts off because its picked up the engine oil using it as fuel ( diesel)... SAVE your money buy and install a battery isolating switch its of more use... then a safety barrier then... and then...etc etc

My experince is that when it comes to cutting belts in a roll over or serious accident care is required to prevent further injury. If a wind screen needs be removed to add access or to assits with removal you do need a saw as the laminate keeps everything togeather and without it life gets real hard.

hosehustler wrote:For work we use them, here's a link to a supplier we use, he sell's all that type of gear, as stated the spring loaded centre punch is best on all side and rear windows but no good on modern front windscreens due to the plastic in the middle of the glass, you need a saver saw for front windscreens and literally cut it with this type of saw.
Seatbelt cuters are also available from Delis, he is based in Christchurch.

http://www.delistools.co.nz/rescuetools.htm

Yes this is true but lets just add one other really important bit to that.......

Saver saws are great and really effective...however...
When you use them it makes alot of dust, this dust contains little bits of glass. breathing in this dust is almost as good for you health as breathing in asbestos dust.......
Thats why when firefighters cut people out of cars they wear a paper dust mask (and more recently also smear (along where the cut is going to be) shaving foam so as to elliminate some of the dust.
In my profesional redneck hillbilly moonshine swigging opinion.....windscreens should always be the last option.
and if your the poor bastard stuck inside.. kick it out along the top

but thats just my 8cents (-3 for gst and 3 for road user tax)

you can only kick a screen out if it is a rubber seal type not a glued in one,i have camlock harnesses and no windows so when i roll it is easy to get out .
vaughan