By: Gary Guyot
E-mail Address: guyot@bline.net.tr

Drowning with your seatbelt on. I think I have found another good use for a Leatherman Tool. Our company had a R172K ditching. The pilot removed his seatbelt before splashing. He naturally kissed the wind screen pretty hard. I asked him why he did that and said he had a overwhelming fear that his belt could jam under the stresses and he would drown. He said the cabin completely filled with water in about 2 seconds. He even had to kick the side window out because the door jammed even though he popped it before splashing. I believe that fear could affect my judgement as well so from now on I will keep my leatherman in my bag. As an escape tool to give the added ability to cut myself out of my belts. By the way C172 aircraft and I am sure similar high wings sink up to the wings instantly and the whole thing disappears in about 30 seconds later.

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