Survival Gear

Or, perhaps something is jammed against the release, or against the harness
so you just can't access the release. Or the harness is tangled with
something or the release is mangled somehow. Or your hand/arm that should
operate the release is broken, or, your passenger can't get to his release
and you can only reach some other part of their harness ...

Sorry to sound so stubborn, but those just don't strike me as
realistic hyptheses. I can suggest as many "maybes" that would
prevent my using a tool to cut my seat belt.

I guess I'll just continue to take my chances without the
tool--although there's one in my bag for other purposes.

BTW, I don't wear a chute, either. But I do carry TWO flashlights at
night.

vince norris

"vincent p. norris" wrote in message
...
Or, perhaps something is jammed against the release, or against the
harness
so you just can't access the release. Or the harness is tangled with
something or the release is mangled somehow. Or your hand/arm that
should
operate the release is broken, or, your passenger can't get to his
release
and you can only reach some other part of their harness ...

Sorry to sound so stubborn, but those just don't strike me as
realistic hyptheses.

Well, the topic is Survival Gear. When do you need Survival Gear?
It suggests to me that you've maybe had to do a forced landing somewhere
you didn't intend. Might be into water, trees, or rough terrain. Its not
inconceivable that the plane is bent, maybe a lot, seats jammed together,
trees, branches or rocks, parts of the airframe or wing intruding, who
knows?
Even granting that you've lived through it so far, the hypotheses don't
sound that unrealistic to me.

I can suggest as many "maybes" that would prevent my using a tool
to cut my seat belt.

Sure. No guarantees. But the question is not whether you should or
shouldn't carry such a tool, but what kind of circumstances would
prevent you from simply unlatching your harness ...

Sorry to sound so stubborn, but those just don't strike me as
realistic hyptheses. I can suggest as many "maybes" that would
prevent my using a tool to cut my seat belt.

Nobody is suggesting that you carry a knife and cut your seatbelt at
every opportunity. The point is that IF you find yourself in an
emergency situation and IF you cannot for whatever reason undo your
seatbelt and IF you have a tool with a knife which is within reach then
MAYBE it will get you out of the belt. Even if it only saves you 10
seconds it may be the difference between burning & not. Flying is all
about keeping options open - that's what we are doing.

BTW, I don't wear a chute, either. But I do carry TWO flashlights at
night.

Are they sharp? Sorry - couldn't resist

Tony

--

Tony Roberts
PP-ASEL
VFR OTT
Night
Almost Instrument
Cessna 172H C-GICE