ACMESkydiver 0 #1 July 7, 2006 No, this isn't a joke or a silly Acme post...it really did happen. I want to share it with everyone in the hopes that should you find yourselves in this situation, you will be prepared. My twin sons were in the 2nd seat of the Suburban yesterday as I was picking up a warehouse shipment. The boys are wearing typical shoulder/lap seatbelts (They need harnesses, but they have not been built yet). We pulled into our driveway yesterday, and I put he truck into 'park' and turn off the engine. The boys hear this, and unclick their seatbelts. -Joey had gotten his right arm twisted in the shoulder strap, and tried to turn around to free it, but ended up getting the shoulder belt around his neck as the seatbelt was retracting. The seatbelt would NOT release. It tightened further around Joey's neck. I couldn't calm the boy (twins have Autism and don't have much receptive language skills); he started to panic. His twin jumped out of the truck and was about to wander into the street, but went through the front door instead. Our caregiver was upstairs waiting for us to come home, but an arborist was chopping up trees on our block and the sound was deafening. Nobody could hear me screaming. I pulled as hard as I could, as there was NO room to attempt to slacken the seatbelt to get it to release. Joey was struggling harder. I ran into the house and screamed at Brittany; she came running down the stairs to grab Derick. I remembered the escape tool that mom had given us for Christmas years ago...thank God, there it was in the driver's side door. I sliced through the seatbelt so easily, and little Joey jumped onto me. He had no bruising and no cuts from the belt, but he was so scared... Please pick one of these things up. (pic attached). Mine isn't exactly like this, but I'm sure you'll find many brands and types. Here's another one: http://www.lifehammersales.com/ A hook knife saved my son yesterday. And yes I called my mom and told her that her silly Christmas stocking stuffer saved her grandson's life. I told her that she's the bestest gra-mama in the world. ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #2 July 7, 2006 Glad everything worked out ok and the little guy wasn't hurt!!! Great job, Mom!!!Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #3 July 7, 2006 QuoteGreat job, Mom!!! Great job grandma!! All I did is use the thing to slice through the webbing. -And to think us kids gave her soooo much crap about those silly auto tools she gave us. ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scoop 0 #4 July 7, 2006 QuoteI pulled as hard as I could I think that was not ideal. Im sure its difficult at the time to stay calm and think rational when you see someone you love in distress but a gentle effort is best. If it hasnt returned right into the spool can you retract the belt now in different circumstances? Anyway, you did the right thing. Tried couple of times then tried alternative, I guess you truly were lucky to ahev that thing lieing around. I have a friend who rolled his car in a water filled ditch. He had one of these knives in his sun visor and had to cut himself out as the belt wouldnt release (I guess due to his weight as he was suspended from it) He walked away without injury. Just very soggy and his car written off Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydivermom 0 #5 July 7, 2006 That's an awesome story. I'm glad the little guy is okay.Mrs. WaltAppel All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bolas 5 #6 July 7, 2006 My mom gave me one and then got me another when I bought a second car. I keep it where it's accessible from the drivers seat. Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
weegegirl 2 #7 July 7, 2006 Wow... way to keep a level head. Glad it worked out. Good mommy! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites simplyputsi 0 #8 July 7, 2006 You know you just never thing stuff like that happens. Glad everyone is ok. You painted a very vivid picture. It never occured to me I might need to cut my seat belt off of me, but now it has. Wow.Skymama's #2 stalker - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites MF42 0 #9 July 7, 2006 Very very glad things worked out ok. Grew up with an autistic little brother and mentally retarded older brother, so I know how much fun that can be when things are going wrong and he's panicking, and there's absolutley no guessing what his next move will be. Situations like this are one of the many reasons that I always carry a decent knife. Useful in so many thousands of ways. Matt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites guppie01 0 #10 July 7, 2006 Wow, so glad to hear Joey is okay and that you had the quick wits to find the escape tool!!! I can't imagine how frightening the experience was for all of you.... (((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))) xoxo g"Let's do something romantic this Saturday... how bout we bust out the restraints?" Raddest Ho this side of Jersey #1 - MISS YOU OMG, is she okay? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites ACMESkydiver 0 #11 July 7, 2006 QuoteGrew up with an autistic little brother and mentally retarded older brother, so I know how much fun that can be when things are going wrong and he's panicking, and there's absolutley no guessing what his next move will be. It's nice to meet you (Well, in cyber-space anyhoo). It's always great to connect with people that have lived with special needs people in their lives, and I really enjoy finding people that have lived with.worked with Autistics. ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites ACMESkydiver 0 #12 July 7, 2006 Quote QuoteI pulled as hard as I could I think that was not ideal. -You wouldn't think so, but you see there was NO slack to try to ease up the seatbelt retraction, so for a second I thought I might be able to break the belt out of the mecanism if I pulled at the attachment point. -Of course it didn't work, seatbelts are designed to withstand SO MUCH force, but I had to give it a quick try, as the seatbelt was malfunctioning anyhoo I thought it might have another weakness somewhere.~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Scoop 0 #13 July 7, 2006 Hey, don't take me the wrong way. You tried.. it didn't work.. you tried something else.. it did! You had no time to waste so well done Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites ACMESkydiver 0 #14 July 7, 2006 Nah, I'm not getting defensive (at least I don't MEAN to be! ). I'm just trying to explain the situation correctly...I'm calling Chevrolet today to ask if they've had any other problems with those 2nd seat belts not releasing even after they are past the point that they could still be attached. -I think everyone at one point in time has been annoyed by a seatbelt that wouldn't give, but to think that it could potentially choke you is kind of a sobering thought; I'm thinking perhaps the auto industry could do something to make the mechanism a little safer. ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites MF42 0 #15 July 7, 2006 QuoteQuoteGrew up with an autistic little brother and mentally retarded older brother, so I know how much fun that can be when things are going wrong and he's panicking, and there's absolutley no guessing what his next move will be. It's nice to meet you (Well, in cyber-space anyhoo). It's always great to connect with people that have lived with special needs people in their lives, and I really enjoy finding people that have lived with.worked with Autistics. Yeah, sometimes it can seem sorta like a club, and not one that just anybody can join. Matt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Icon134 0 #16 July 7, 2006 I'm glad to see this situation turned out ok... Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Scoop 0 #17 July 7, 2006 Your right. When I repaired cars nothing frustrated me more than re-installing seatbelts. You have to hold the spool at the perfect angle else you cant release the belt. Crazy really. Paticularly when you consider in event of accident your not neccesarily going to be orientated correctly or may have your weight on it. Now you know why all emergancy personnel carry hook knives in their vehicles. One I use is exactly the same as my skydiving hook knife Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites marks 0 #18 July 7, 2006 QuoteI think that was not ideal. Im sure its difficult at the time to stay calm and think rational when you see someone you love in distress but a gentle effort is best. If it hasnt returned right into the spool can you retract the belt now in different circumstances? the way the rear seat belts are designed, if you pull them all the way out, they lock wherever they stop on the way back in. they do not unlock until the spool is rolled back in. it is made like this so a childseat wont come loose. if it wasn't going to roll all the way back in it wasn't coming loose. cutting it was the only option. nice thinking. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites ACMESkydiver 0 #19 July 7, 2006 Quotethe way the rear seat belts are designed, if you pull them all the way out, they lock wherever they stop on the way back in. they do not unlock until the spool is rolled back in. it is made like this so a childseat wont come loose. if it wasn't going to roll all the way back in it wasn't coming loose. cutting it was the only option. nice thinking. This design might need some re-thinking. I can't imagine that my lil' boys are the only ones that squirm in the car. There are brilliant designers out there; I'm sure they can come up with a mechanism that would support both a child seat, and NOT choking out a passenger. ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites ACMESkydiver 0 #20 July 7, 2006 UPDATE: Just wanted to keep y'all informed. I got off the phone with Chevy (the international customer service line, NOT the freaking jackhole dealership!) and they were VERY nice. 1.) Explore records to see if other customers have reported similar problems. 2.) Explore possibilities to prevent it from happening again to anyone else. 3.) Replace my seatbelt, please! They were very nice about it all. I'm not looking for a lawsuit or anything, I just want to fix the situation and my seatbelt. ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites marks 0 #21 July 7, 2006 well, it has to be pulled out ALL THE WAY first. before it goes into this mode. there are many reasons why it IS like that. It looks like you found one of the drawbacks of being like that., it is a necassary design for carseats. hell it might even be a federal thing and the car manufacturers have no choice. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites marks 0 #22 July 7, 2006 they will replace your seatbelt. hell if you went to the dealer and told them what happened they would replace it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites ACMESkydiver 0 #23 July 7, 2006 Quotehell if you went to the dealer and told them what happened they would replace it Actually the dealership said "Yeah we'll replace it. $127 for parts, 1 1/2 hours labor, and we'll replace it." Uh-huh...that's prolly going to toal $300. ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites marks 0 #24 July 7, 2006 QuoteQuotehell if you went to the dealer and told them what happened they would replace it Actually the dealership said "Yeah we'll replace it. $127 for parts, 1 1/2 hours labor, and we'll replace it." Uh-huh...that's prolly going to toal $300. talk to the manager and tell him what happened, I bet he will replace it. especially if your already a customer. but if they dont, the manufacturer will. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. 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simplyputsi 0 #8 July 7, 2006 You know you just never thing stuff like that happens. Glad everyone is ok. You painted a very vivid picture. It never occured to me I might need to cut my seat belt off of me, but now it has. Wow.Skymama's #2 stalker - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MF42 0 #9 July 7, 2006 Very very glad things worked out ok. Grew up with an autistic little brother and mentally retarded older brother, so I know how much fun that can be when things are going wrong and he's panicking, and there's absolutley no guessing what his next move will be. Situations like this are one of the many reasons that I always carry a decent knife. Useful in so many thousands of ways. Matt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
guppie01 0 #10 July 7, 2006 Wow, so glad to hear Joey is okay and that you had the quick wits to find the escape tool!!! I can't imagine how frightening the experience was for all of you.... (((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))) xoxo g"Let's do something romantic this Saturday... how bout we bust out the restraints?" Raddest Ho this side of Jersey #1 - MISS YOU OMG, is she okay? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #11 July 7, 2006 QuoteGrew up with an autistic little brother and mentally retarded older brother, so I know how much fun that can be when things are going wrong and he's panicking, and there's absolutley no guessing what his next move will be. It's nice to meet you (Well, in cyber-space anyhoo). It's always great to connect with people that have lived with special needs people in their lives, and I really enjoy finding people that have lived with.worked with Autistics. ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #12 July 7, 2006 Quote QuoteI pulled as hard as I could I think that was not ideal. -You wouldn't think so, but you see there was NO slack to try to ease up the seatbelt retraction, so for a second I thought I might be able to break the belt out of the mecanism if I pulled at the attachment point. -Of course it didn't work, seatbelts are designed to withstand SO MUCH force, but I had to give it a quick try, as the seatbelt was malfunctioning anyhoo I thought it might have another weakness somewhere.~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scoop 0 #13 July 7, 2006 Hey, don't take me the wrong way. You tried.. it didn't work.. you tried something else.. it did! You had no time to waste so well done Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites ACMESkydiver 0 #14 July 7, 2006 Nah, I'm not getting defensive (at least I don't MEAN to be! ). I'm just trying to explain the situation correctly...I'm calling Chevrolet today to ask if they've had any other problems with those 2nd seat belts not releasing even after they are past the point that they could still be attached. -I think everyone at one point in time has been annoyed by a seatbelt that wouldn't give, but to think that it could potentially choke you is kind of a sobering thought; I'm thinking perhaps the auto industry could do something to make the mechanism a little safer. ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites MF42 0 #15 July 7, 2006 QuoteQuoteGrew up with an autistic little brother and mentally retarded older brother, so I know how much fun that can be when things are going wrong and he's panicking, and there's absolutley no guessing what his next move will be. It's nice to meet you (Well, in cyber-space anyhoo). It's always great to connect with people that have lived with special needs people in their lives, and I really enjoy finding people that have lived with.worked with Autistics. Yeah, sometimes it can seem sorta like a club, and not one that just anybody can join. Matt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Icon134 0 #16 July 7, 2006 I'm glad to see this situation turned out ok... Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Scoop 0 #17 July 7, 2006 Your right. When I repaired cars nothing frustrated me more than re-installing seatbelts. You have to hold the spool at the perfect angle else you cant release the belt. Crazy really. Paticularly when you consider in event of accident your not neccesarily going to be orientated correctly or may have your weight on it. Now you know why all emergancy personnel carry hook knives in their vehicles. One I use is exactly the same as my skydiving hook knife Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites marks 0 #18 July 7, 2006 QuoteI think that was not ideal. Im sure its difficult at the time to stay calm and think rational when you see someone you love in distress but a gentle effort is best. If it hasnt returned right into the spool can you retract the belt now in different circumstances? the way the rear seat belts are designed, if you pull them all the way out, they lock wherever they stop on the way back in. they do not unlock until the spool is rolled back in. it is made like this so a childseat wont come loose. if it wasn't going to roll all the way back in it wasn't coming loose. cutting it was the only option. nice thinking. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites ACMESkydiver 0 #19 July 7, 2006 Quotethe way the rear seat belts are designed, if you pull them all the way out, they lock wherever they stop on the way back in. they do not unlock until the spool is rolled back in. it is made like this so a childseat wont come loose. if it wasn't going to roll all the way back in it wasn't coming loose. cutting it was the only option. nice thinking. This design might need some re-thinking. I can't imagine that my lil' boys are the only ones that squirm in the car. There are brilliant designers out there; I'm sure they can come up with a mechanism that would support both a child seat, and NOT choking out a passenger. ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites ACMESkydiver 0 #20 July 7, 2006 UPDATE: Just wanted to keep y'all informed. I got off the phone with Chevy (the international customer service line, NOT the freaking jackhole dealership!) and they were VERY nice. 1.) Explore records to see if other customers have reported similar problems. 2.) Explore possibilities to prevent it from happening again to anyone else. 3.) Replace my seatbelt, please! They were very nice about it all. I'm not looking for a lawsuit or anything, I just want to fix the situation and my seatbelt. ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites marks 0 #21 July 7, 2006 well, it has to be pulled out ALL THE WAY first. before it goes into this mode. there are many reasons why it IS like that. It looks like you found one of the drawbacks of being like that., it is a necassary design for carseats. hell it might even be a federal thing and the car manufacturers have no choice. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites marks 0 #22 July 7, 2006 they will replace your seatbelt. hell if you went to the dealer and told them what happened they would replace it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites ACMESkydiver 0 #23 July 7, 2006 Quotehell if you went to the dealer and told them what happened they would replace it Actually the dealership said "Yeah we'll replace it. $127 for parts, 1 1/2 hours labor, and we'll replace it." Uh-huh...that's prolly going to toal $300. ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites marks 0 #24 July 7, 2006 QuoteQuotehell if you went to the dealer and told them what happened they would replace it Actually the dealership said "Yeah we'll replace it. $127 for parts, 1 1/2 hours labor, and we'll replace it." Uh-huh...that's prolly going to toal $300. talk to the manager and tell him what happened, I bet he will replace it. especially if your already a customer. but if they dont, the manufacturer will. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. 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ACMESkydiver 0 #14 July 7, 2006 Nah, I'm not getting defensive (at least I don't MEAN to be! ). I'm just trying to explain the situation correctly...I'm calling Chevrolet today to ask if they've had any other problems with those 2nd seat belts not releasing even after they are past the point that they could still be attached. -I think everyone at one point in time has been annoyed by a seatbelt that wouldn't give, but to think that it could potentially choke you is kind of a sobering thought; I'm thinking perhaps the auto industry could do something to make the mechanism a little safer. ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MF42 0 #15 July 7, 2006 QuoteQuoteGrew up with an autistic little brother and mentally retarded older brother, so I know how much fun that can be when things are going wrong and he's panicking, and there's absolutley no guessing what his next move will be. It's nice to meet you (Well, in cyber-space anyhoo). It's always great to connect with people that have lived with special needs people in their lives, and I really enjoy finding people that have lived with.worked with Autistics. Yeah, sometimes it can seem sorta like a club, and not one that just anybody can join. Matt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icon134 0 #16 July 7, 2006 I'm glad to see this situation turned out ok... Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scoop 0 #17 July 7, 2006 Your right. When I repaired cars nothing frustrated me more than re-installing seatbelts. You have to hold the spool at the perfect angle else you cant release the belt. Crazy really. Paticularly when you consider in event of accident your not neccesarily going to be orientated correctly or may have your weight on it. Now you know why all emergancy personnel carry hook knives in their vehicles. One I use is exactly the same as my skydiving hook knife Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marks 0 #18 July 7, 2006 QuoteI think that was not ideal. Im sure its difficult at the time to stay calm and think rational when you see someone you love in distress but a gentle effort is best. If it hasnt returned right into the spool can you retract the belt now in different circumstances? the way the rear seat belts are designed, if you pull them all the way out, they lock wherever they stop on the way back in. they do not unlock until the spool is rolled back in. it is made like this so a childseat wont come loose. if it wasn't going to roll all the way back in it wasn't coming loose. cutting it was the only option. nice thinking. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #19 July 7, 2006 Quotethe way the rear seat belts are designed, if you pull them all the way out, they lock wherever they stop on the way back in. they do not unlock until the spool is rolled back in. it is made like this so a childseat wont come loose. if it wasn't going to roll all the way back in it wasn't coming loose. cutting it was the only option. nice thinking. This design might need some re-thinking. I can't imagine that my lil' boys are the only ones that squirm in the car. There are brilliant designers out there; I'm sure they can come up with a mechanism that would support both a child seat, and NOT choking out a passenger. ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #20 July 7, 2006 UPDATE: Just wanted to keep y'all informed. I got off the phone with Chevy (the international customer service line, NOT the freaking jackhole dealership!) and they were VERY nice. 1.) Explore records to see if other customers have reported similar problems. 2.) Explore possibilities to prevent it from happening again to anyone else. 3.) Replace my seatbelt, please! They were very nice about it all. I'm not looking for a lawsuit or anything, I just want to fix the situation and my seatbelt. ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marks 0 #21 July 7, 2006 well, it has to be pulled out ALL THE WAY first. before it goes into this mode. there are many reasons why it IS like that. It looks like you found one of the drawbacks of being like that., it is a necassary design for carseats. hell it might even be a federal thing and the car manufacturers have no choice. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marks 0 #22 July 7, 2006 they will replace your seatbelt. hell if you went to the dealer and told them what happened they would replace it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #23 July 7, 2006 Quotehell if you went to the dealer and told them what happened they would replace it Actually the dealership said "Yeah we'll replace it. $127 for parts, 1 1/2 hours labor, and we'll replace it." Uh-huh...that's prolly going to toal $300. ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marks 0 #24 July 7, 2006 QuoteQuotehell if you went to the dealer and told them what happened they would replace it Actually the dealership said "Yeah we'll replace it. $127 for parts, 1 1/2 hours labor, and we'll replace it." Uh-huh...that's prolly going to toal $300. talk to the manager and tell him what happened, I bet he will replace it. especially if your already a customer. but if they dont, the manufacturer will. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
