Why you should carry pocket knife in the country

[brin]

Tough question, and some strong opinions. Of course, in the case of a snake bite, will the hospital you're headed for have an antidote?

Of course, I started on the police department when ambulance service was provided by contract funeral homes. Any first aid at the scene was done by the police officers and the ambulance attendants did nothing but load up the patient and go. It was also not too unusual for an officer to stop a traffic violator and find that driver was enroute to a hospital with a sick, injured, or pregnant person in the car. We'd simply tell that driver to follow us, and we'd lead the way with red lights and siren to the hospital. I've done that many times. But that's very much against the rules now (at least in Dallas). We now have paramedics instead of just ambulance attendants/drivers. So at the scene they first have to take the patient's temperature, pulse, blood pressure, ask questions, do paperwork, etc. to first "stabilize" the patient before transporting. We're told that saves many lives, but we're not told how many lives are lost while they waste time, and how much they add to the patients' suffering in many cases. In the event a patient is bleeding or not breathing, yes, that definitely needs to be treated at the scene, but otherwise . . . well, the "experts" say I'm wrong, so maybe I am, but I think they ought to go the hospital instead of fooling around at the scene for a half hour or so first.

Bird ...you are not wrong...When my mother in law had a cerebral hemorrhage it was 2:00AM and my father in law called us..we lived on the next farm ..he also called 911...we were there before the ambulance and I had to walk down our road with a spot light to guide them in. She was unconscious and unresponsive and they got her in the ambulance and sat there ....I got in the back of the ambulance and told them to get her to the hospital or I would...They started to give me some lip but my face must have told the tale...they buttoned it up and rushed her with us following to the hospital..Do you believe the paramedic actually looked back at all of us...the family..my wife and her dad and said..." It does not look good " I could have choked him...These paramedics need to do just as you said and treat bleeding and such but immediately begin transport ..one of them can be treating the patient as the other drives.

 

[texbaylea]

I carry a Case Sod Buster single blade. It can be opened one handed. It takes practice but there are several ways you can do it.

Vernon

 

[texasjohn]

So much depends on resources, actual situation, skill and judgment.

I can see situations where the right thing to do is load up and drive...either meeting the EMT's along the way, or getting to the hospital first. This seems to depend on having a suitable drive vehicle available and the patient being able to be loaded into it.

Loading a 200lb plus unresponsive person into a vehicle...difficult. Unless you have 3 or more people to assist.

I live 15 minutes from a hospital, have cell phone, could call ahead and get them prepared to receive, etc. When local highway patrol stop you for speeding, first question they ask is if you have an emergency. Don't know if they would lead the way to hospital or just call for support. Might depend on trooper's judgment at the time, as well. Troopers always on the interstate I travel.

In case where bleeding is occurring, possible trauma to spine, etc....need to treat immediately on site as best possible, transport with care to avoid further injury.

Calling 911 seems to have variable results...once I was traveling I35 and an 18 wheeler in front of me traveling at 70MPH was weaving on the road...onto shoulder, then halfway into left lane, then back. I watched for about 3 miles and saw this happen numerous times... decided either driver was drunk or sleep deprived.... anyway, needed to be investigated. Called 911, reported current mile marker and situation, stayed on the phone for 4 counties constantly reporting mile marker and when vehicle swerved out of proper lane. Operator seemed confused/unable to get anyone to respond...maybe they didn't believe me although I gave my full name, etc...After about 15 minutes of constant contact, I told the lady I'd call back if I observed an accident and hung up.

Sadly these days, there is also the legal aspects to consider. Sometimes a particular action would preclude subsequent legal action, or invite legal action.

So much to consider in the context of an emergency, and it's amazing how much time can go by in just understanding actual status and deciding what to do at the site.

Sad situation all around.

 

[Sigarms]

When local highway patrol stop you for speeding, first question they ask is if you have an emergency. Don't know if they would lead the way to hospital or just call for support. Might depend on trooper's judgment at the time, as well. Troopers always on the interstate I travel.

If I was speeding to the hospital, I'd like to think I'd call 911 before hand to give them a description of my vehicle and tell them where I going to (with flashers going) and why, and to have the police be on the lookout for my vehicle.

I may not be driving 130 mph, but I'd be over the speed the limit, and if the LEO thinks I'm going to pull over, he can write me up when I stop at the hospital.

Per the one news source in Texas

According to the state department of health services website about 7,000 people in the U.S. are bitten by venomous snakes each year. Only 1 out of 500 results in death.

Talk about luck. How many times do your pants fall down taking a leak?

 

[gazoo1]

"According to Dean, the 6-foot snake held on to Georgeç—´ hand for a long period of time and he tried to get it off with some items in his truck. When it did finally release his hand, Dean said they captured it under a bucket.
The paramedics were able to get a picture of the snake after killing it and later identified it as a caned rattler, a brownish-grey snake that gets darker towards the rattle.
George was laid to rest in Powell Cemetery in Austin on Wednesday."

The above is quoted from the news paper in the next town down the road at
Yancey dies after rattlesnake bite : The Smithville Times

you know my story is not about a snake but another purpose for a pocket knife .on a lake in bc 2 km. out bad storm coming in the lake is like an ocean my 15 horse merc died main fuel line brock off . so i cut the line undid the clamp with knife cut line with knife reatached line with knife took hook out of my finger with knife all in about a 50 km an hr wind and did i mention my 7 yr, old daughter waqs with me i owe that knife alot

 

[Bird]

purpose for a pocket knife

I guess I grew up in a different time. I've always had a pocket knife in my pocket since I was 6 years old; never been without one. Fortunately, I've had no occasion to fly anywhere since they started their silly imitation security at all the airports.

 

[Egon]

well, the "experts" say I'm wrong, so maybe I am, but I think they ought to go the hospital instead of fooling around at the scene for a half hour or so first.

Ah, that is something that may have changed. To the best of my knowledge stabilization may be done on the way to the hospital where there is a whole bunch better equipment!:thumbsup:

Pocket knives, remember when everyone had on on their belt? That can get difficult at times now a days .

 

[westcliffe01]

Not to detract from the main story, but in 1987 there was a time when I had joined the Namibian police on a raid on a terrorist camp about 180 miles into Angola and about 30 minutes (response time) away from a large Angolan air force base with lots of mig 21's, 23's and east german pilots flying them.... When we arrived on the scene, it turned out the insurgents had moved after a torrential downpour the previous day, so there was no action, but apparently we were spotted and the commie air force alerted, so pretty soon we were told we had incoming and to hide and cover up. So while waiting under the huge thorn trees with camo netting over everything and expecting the migs to blast us off the face of the earth, while our Mirage iii's were on their way, some had to amuse themselves...

One of the officers had a pet puff adder, which he had in his shirt pocket, and while playing with his pet, it decided to hang onto one of his fingers with those large fangs that they are known for. What to do ? The gentleman, having a cool head (= psychopath) got out his rather large knife and in an instant had the snakes head severed. Then after removing the biting apparatus and peering at his finger with the puncture wounds, he ever so calmly placed the finger on one of the lugs of the massive armored car tires and in a second he had cleaved off his finger with his bowie. At about this time the migs made their arrival and upstaged this little incident, but he made a torniquet out of some string to control the bleeding and then went to retrieve a bottle of scotch to medicate himself.

He survived the incident without additional harm, but was killed in action months later when during the election process the insurgents together with angolans and cubans launched a massive conventional attack involving several thousand troops, tanks and everything that could be thrown into it. The namibian police unit (Koevoet as they were known) were always the first responders in such situations. For sure the first thing to do in such a situation is to dispatch the snake, but it sounds like he was ill equipped and panic lessened the imagination somewhat. I have had enough close calls with venomous snakes including the black mamba to know that sometimes your luck can run out pretty quick.

Being aware of your surroundings enough to recognize the presence of the snake (since it was highly unlikely the snake came to him) is one of the keys to survival. The mambas are highly territorial and will come to you..

 

[Cat_Driver]

I now carry one of these multi tools with me wherever I go.
I can't tell you how many times that tool has saved me. From a knife, to the many screw drivers, pliers etc.

From traveling and needing a tool to fix a noisy air conditioner in the room, to helping on an accident scene, great on picnics to endless tasks that save me from searching for a tool or heading back to the truck or barn.

By far has become the most used tool in my hoard of tools.

Leatherman Full-Size Multi-Tools

 

[Thomas]

Yikes.
George Yancey RIP. <___________>