(Part 2) Best automotive escape tools according to redditors

We have these. A combo seat belt cutter and window punch. My husband keeps his on his key ring. Mine is attached with a little zip tie to the rear view mirror. I’d just have to yank on it and the safety cover on the seat belt cutter comes right off. Chances are high I’ll never need it, but it makes me feel more secure.

In case anyone else is like me and has this horrible fear of burning, or perhaps one of drowning in your car, buy a car escape tool for peace of mind.

Our engine has detected that Amazon has altered and removed reviews from this listing. We approximate total reviews removed to be 119.

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https://reviewmeta.com/amazon/B01N3D4J58

I recommend one that goes into your charging outlet or cigarette lighter, I have one that includes a USB hub for charging, has a seatbelt cutter and a spring loaded glass breaker. That way you always know where it is. One that you keep in your side compartment could fly out in an accident.

Edit because a link might be helpful:
Ztylus Stinger Car Crash Safe Emergency Escape Tool: Life-Saving USB Car Charger Rescue Safety Device, Spring Loaded Window Breaker, Seat belt Cutter, Dual USB Ports Max 2.4A (2 pcs black pack) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NBNAJXP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_EGKtDbKS446B6

especially the long ones, with pointed caps

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002TMOYQS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_ogSKwbR41AT3P

Spring loaded punch/ seatbelt cutter along with a cuff key I keep in my left pocket. ResQMe

Get yourself one of these and a seatbelt cutter:

https://www.amazon.com/Zmoon-Breaker-Survival-Emergency-Windows/dp/B07RLCZ871/ref=sr_1_10?keywords=window+breaker&qid=1567317226&s=gateway&sr=8-10

If your car had sunk faster you wouldn't be able to open your door, and your window controls may no longer work.

A LOT of people drown in their cars.

Yeah probably one of these. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q49LJD4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Ws8WDbJFJASJK

For shelf stable foods, get whatever you prefer and put it in a cooler with water bottles and rotate it out often, no need to get something like lifeboat rations.

Also you probably just assumed they had these but l'll mention them any way:

• Tire Plug Kit/Fix-a-Flat
  
• Snow Chains(if appropriate for your climate)
  
• A Spare Tire(not as common as you think) and tools to change one
  
• A Power Bank, possibly the jump starting kind but I wouldn't cheap out on those.
  
• Sunscreen, in the cooler bag.
  
• Wet Wipes, not sure what you Americans call it.
  
• Umbrella
  
• A Window Breaker like this
  
  edit:
  
  Forgot to add jumper cables!

"If you didn't test it, it doesn't work".

Meanwhile, these are great:

https://www.amazon.com/Emergency-Rescue-Escape-Keychain-Yellow/dp/B004W9Z2P8/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1525012148&sr=8-5&keywords=res-q-me&dpID=416zP9-aEtL&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

I keep one zip-tied to the parking brake handle, so I can find it even if upside down in the dark.

First thing is to get one of these and keep with you in the car. https://www.amazon.com/Clipsandfasteners-Inc-Emergency-Rescue-Keychain/dp/B004W9Z2P8/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=res+q+tool&qid=1567199494&s=gateway&sr=8-4

also you can check out this video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUD53NZ03zM

My mother got extra scared of getting stuck in cars a couple years ago, and got everyone in my family these.

Do pilots carry something like this but scaled up for cockpit windows? It seems like it would be a good idea for this situation. Unless he was knocked unconscious by the impact

You could have probably saved a few bucks at urgent care by getting an actual survival tool: http://smile.amazon.com/dp/B000BMWXZM

I can't find any green ones, but there are orange ones that are used on boats for distress signals. Orion is a maker of them: http://www.orionsignals.com/product-groups/smoke-flares/product/73.html

You can find them online on Walmart and Home Depot.

The regular road flares won't make as much smoke, but they are cheaper:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Orion-Safety-20-Minute-Road-Flare-Kit-6-Pack-6020/205893317
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Orion-Safety-Products-20-Minute-Flares-with-Orange-Vest-6pk/21801879?_wml_ldc_sm_
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MSF5XWU

I just bought this one... https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N3D4J58/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Because the need for this type of tool is far below the need to equip every car with one. You can always get one of these for your key ring. Here is a how to explaining it's uses.

I bought this one. it attaches to your visor.

Get this

https://www.amazon.com/Emergency-Escape-Safety-Hammer-Breaker/dp/B078ST9NX6

Be careful on the knife with the glass breaker, I've tried a couple of those and they are not easy to use and some just plain don't work. Plus with the motion needed to use it and your hand being so close to the glass if it breaks, it can easily cut you. I'd use a spring loaded device (first link), a hammer (second link), or a piece of broken ceramic that you can get from breaking an old spark plug.

https://www.amazon.com/Swiss-Tech-ST81010-BodyGuard-Emergency/dp/B004UL5RUI/ref=sr_1_7?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1492902675&sr=1-7&keywords=glass+breaker

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GIR09TK?psc=1

Window hammer.

Everyone needs one.

Vgate Car Rescue Hammer, Emergency Escape Tool, Auto Safety Hammer, Car Auto Windo... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TX9HSDF/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_i_y-HTDbVSWRCXQ

• easy to use car jack $24 bucks at walmart
  
  
• I have an impact wrench that plugs into my cigarrette plug so I can easily remove lug nuts when changing to a spare tire. Its was only $25 bucks or so at walmart a couple years ago
  
  
• adjustable length snow shovel then it can be collapsed to fit into the trunk or back seat
  
  
• Good thick heavy gauge jumper cables, the smaller the gauge# the better. 2 ga. is better than 8 ga. And trust me My GF sat for 10 minutes trying to get her car jumped with light duty jumper cables, and didn't get the car started, someone else stopped with good ones, and the car started right up after we used better cables.
  
  
• telescoping ice scraper with brush makes for easy snow removal
  
  
• 5 in 1 tool Basically a flashlight, but more importantly it has red l.e.d.'s that flash as a beacon if you get stuck in a snowbank come wintertime. It can help people spot you and possibly save your butt if you became stranded. it also has a seatbelt cutter, window breaker and its magnetic base lets you stick it to your car
  
  
• Good 2.0 amp cell phone charger
  
  
• snacks, cuz sometimes you just want a snack while driving
  
  
• a tow strap about $9 bucks at walmart, which is handy if and when you get stuck, just about anyone can pull you out, because you already have a strap.
  
  

Victorinox Rescue Tool

I keep it in my car and HAVE used it to cut through glass in a car accident I came upon.

I also hooked up all my family with a Lifehammer

We have this kind attached to the passenger headrest (hanging backwards) so you can pull it off from any seat in the car.

Yes, and with the proper tool that first responders carry, they are from the outside too. [They're similar to this but bigger, to break glass from the outside](Escape Tool 2 Pack for Car, Auto Emergency Safety Hammer with Car Window Glass Breaker and Seat Belt Cutter https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B07RSSVPK9/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_9le2DbQ65QW0Z)

If that is an actual fear or possibility, you should get a window hammer. It does the job quick and easy. One of these kids must have had a skate key. That would have been the best option.

For a Maglight in the car, I find this intriguing: http://www.amazon.com/Cell-Flashlight-breaking-Cap-Cape/dp/B002TMOYQS/ref=wl_mb_hu_m_5_dp

I keep a Res Q Me Emergency Rescue Escape Tool connected to my rearview mirror and in a vehicle FAK.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004W9Z2P8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_obvqxbPD02YMB

The smart thing to do when this starts to happen is for everyone to lay on their horns, and if someone has them, run upstream along the side of the rode to put down some flares

Have one of these in each car, strapped to the sun visor:

StatGear SuperVizor XT Auto Escape Tool, Black with sunvisor holder https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RNLARJI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_Q5wuDb2GMYPZM


I’d also suggest perhaps a tactical pen of some sort; many of them have tungsten glass-break tips.

I dunno why but I’m obsessed with glass breaker devices. I have more than I’d like to admit. 🤠

I would say it’s a window punch then. Something like this

I’m not sure if the window would remain held together for that long (based on description) but it’s possible.

Just watched the video. I’m wrong, OP is probably right but I have no idea how. Can’t find any examples.

I drive over a bridge a lot and drivers here are dumb as hell so I've definitely researched it. You need to wait until water stops coming in to the car so the pressure is equalized. To speed this up, roll down the window or use a rescue hammer. You won't be able to break the windshield with a hammer. Its much stronger than side windows. Once water stops coming in, you'll be able to open the door (before that the pressure is too strong), take a deep breath and open the door. The air in your lungs will propel you up. Hopefully, you know how to swim.

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They make window hammers for this reason. I have one super-velcro to my door. It also theoretically cuts the seatbelt if I can't unbuckle for some reason.

https://www.amazon.com/Ammallo-Pack-Safety-Hammer-Carbide/dp/B01GIR09TK/

He carries a resqme.

Some of the things I've gotten that have made my life a little easier.

• 12v 2-way splitter for the truck
  
• Small Moleskine notebook (I write down addresses, run numbers, pertinent info because we do not have an MDT in our trucks)
  
• Slim Wallet (I don't carry a purse to work and I will transfer my debit card, ID, and keep all my licenses in the wallet I linked, great for keeping in a pocket while at work. As a bonus, the company who makes the one I linked is from the city I live in.)
  
• Window Punch These are pretty nice, not many places non-fire around here provide them on the trucks and they come in very handy if you need access and have beaten fire to the scene. I prefer these over the pen style.
  
• Key Holder Good if she has a lot of different keys, some places still use keys to access their narcs, different parts of the building, etc.
  
• Bluetooth Transmitter/Charger I have a new iPhone that does not have an aux port, these work great on our ambulances and have two fast charge ports to charge whatever you need. I use the splitter above to plug this and my GPS/Dashcam in.
  
• Snack Subscription These are pretty cool a bit pricey in the long run though. Get pretty good/healthy snacks monthly with various price plans. Cuts back on the urge to grab that candy at the gas station if you have something better in your bag already.
  
• Rite in the Rain Notebook Just ordered these and they haven't come in yet, they are awesome for onscene quick notes. Since we've moved to EPCR software I find that on really sick patients that we need to move and work on I still manage to keep physical notes which get shredded after the run is finished and it's transcribed to the computer. We use a normal flip book but these help organize things a little bit more, plus they're waterproof. Supposedly works best with their pens or just a normal pencil. Was a neat product I thought I'd try out and go from there. Also don't have to get the EMS version, plenty of other versions/styles to choose from.
  
  
  I'm sure there are more and I'll come back and add them as I can think of them, these are some of the non-medical quality of life items I add to my every day to make things more bearable.

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