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I always carry a knife within easy reach along with a multi-tool for my buddy Justin... Justin Case.

Mike

Read this accident report. Maybe if he had a knife readily accessible he could have saved himself.

http://www.caves.org/commission/ncrc/ncrc-er/07037801.HTM

harrym wrote:Read this accident report. Maybe if he had a knife readily accessible he could have saved himself.

http://www.caves.org/commission/ncrc/ncrc-er/07037801.HTM

And maybe if he'd had a modern breakaway chin strap clip he would have survived. But of course this happened back in 1978.

The accident in the report is definitely a situation where a knife should have been available. Given the nature of the crevice I wonder if the victim had enough space to work with a knife and cut the helmet strap, and it seems like this was one of those rare really unfortunate incidents where there just wasn't enough time to respond in a helpful way.

harrym wrote:Read this accident report. Maybe if he had a knife readily accessible he could have saved himself.

http://www.caves.org/commission/ncrc/ncrc-er/07037801.HTM

Lots of ifs and buts... Hindsight, etc...

I think this might be the incident that prompted manufacturers and cavers to switch to a quick-release or breakaway latch on chin straps. Just in case anyone still has a Joe Brown style helmet/chin strap, there is a safer way to secure it. I can't find any pics or diagrams but... instead of sticking the end of the webbing back between the two D rings, feed a bight of the webbing thru. Then, you can pull the end and clip comes undone.

This is a great situation for cavers to practice. Snag (biner) your helmet to something above you to simulate a stuck helmet and try to get out of it. Clip your chin strap around the rope and feel how awkward it is to have your hair sucked into a rappel device. Be creative. An ascender with a footloop to attach above you will get you out of most situations.

Wow. What a way to go.

reminds me of the gun topic. I always carry a knife and strongly suggest others do as well. You can always choose not to use it if you have it. You cant choose at all if you don't.

To the comment that there are usually better ways, I would absolutely agree. However, you must know what that better way is and be able to execute it.

When I was first "learning" vertical I decided to practice a changeover with a "victim" (80lb of dog food) alone and using a rope rigged inside my house and it went badly Today I could have gotten out of the situation just fine using my knowledge and the vert gear I could reach.

Then, I'm sure glad I had a knife on my harness.