Good Thinking

RescueBiner is made to save users from their cars

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The RescueBiner is presently on Kickstarter
Longtail Designs
The RescueBiner reportedly weighs about 4 oz (113 g)
Longtail Designs
The RescueBiner is presently on Kickstarter
Longtail Designs

Remember back when carabiners were designed solely for hanging one thing from another? Nope, us neither. Now, a new multi-purpose 'biner is claimed to help users get out of crashed vehicles.

Called the RescueBiner, the aluminum-alloy device was created by Kentucky-based wilderness first responders Matt Able and Kelly Moore. The two of them figured that both drivers and emergency response workers needed a readily-reachable tool that could be used to cut through jammed seatbelts, and to break window glass.

For the seatbelt-slicing, the RescueBiner utilizes a replaceable cutting blade that's recessed into a slot along one side of the device, so it shouldn't accidentally cut users' fingers or clothing. The window-breaking is managed via a tungsten carbide tip on the bottom of the carabiner.

When performing either action, users keep hold of the tool utilizing a finger grip incorporated into its spring-loaded gate, and a flattened thumb rest on top.

The RescueBiner reportedly weighs about 4 oz (113 g)
Longtail Designs

And yes, when not being used to perform rescues, the RescueBiner can also be utilized for more traditional tasks like hanging water bottles off of backpacks. It should be noted that if said backpack were to be tossed into the back seat or trunk of a car, however, the carabiner would likely be inaccessible to someone trapped in the front.

Should you be interested, the device is currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign. Assuming everything works out, a pledge of US$20 will get you one. The planned retail price is $24.99.

Other examples of multi-use carabiners include models that can start fires, take photos, serve as screwdrivers, and adjust ski bindings. And if you prefer the idea of a belt-cutting, window-breaking gadget that you just leave in the glove box until it's needed, you might want to check out StatGear's T3 Tactical Auto Rescue Tool.

Source: Kickstarter

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8 comments
guzmanchinky
This seems like a good idea, if you are in a crash having something in the glove box could be too far away. This might be easier to mount or clip to something close to you. Maybe even onto the seatbelt itself?
guzmanchinky
I just ordered one, we'll see!
ChairmanLMAO
Should be alot more robust than aluminum. On the otherhand the more the merrier.
pmshah
What I fail to understand is why can't they design the seat belt similar to ones used on aircraft where the latch is squarely in front of the person and can easily be reached and released.
pmshah
BTW there is nothing new about the belt cutter blade idea. I have several letter openers made on similar lines.
FB36
Isn't it true that, so many people, each year, all over the world, getting stuck in their vehicles after an accident & burn to death alive? This seems like a good idea but more general & permanent solution(s) needed! One solution would be switching to harder to burn fuels like (bio-)diesel (instead of using gasoline)! Rally cars have a "cage" added to protect driver compartment from getting crashed; how about making it standard for all vehicles? But ultimate solution is switching to electric vehicles (so there would be no fuel to get spilled & start a fire)!
Pierre Collet
The problem is not the seat belt... It is that many cars now have laminated windows that, if they are crackable using the tungsten-carbide tip, will be impossible to cut through using this gadget...

Laminated windows is a real problem in modern cars if you get into an accident...
ljaques
All windshields (US, at least) are laminated. Simply crack both sides and it folds out of the way. I got a firefighter's (yeah, right) knife with glass breaker, seatbelt cutter, and combo straight/serrated karambit blade for $7 delivered from an Ebay vendor. How is this very common item news, NewAtlas?