We all know that a good pocket knife can be a great asset, but Jason Hobbs was forced to use his for a purpose that no one would have ever expected.

6-year-old Rivers Hobbs was walking with his family at Big Bend National Park in West Texas, when a mountain lion pounced on him and attempted to drag him away from his family. Rivers’ mother tried to hold on to him, but the cat pulled the boy to the ground, clamping its jaws onto his head. That’s when his father, Jason Hobbs, pulled out his pocket knife and stabbed the mountain lion in the chest, causing the cat to let go and run away.

Fortunately the story has a happy ending. Due to the preparedness and fast action of Jason Hobbs, his young son survived with attack and only needed 17 stitches.

From now on, I know I’ll be carrying a good knife at all times. You never know when you might need it.