Emergencies? Pliers, needle nose pliers are your friend, or a hook removal tool. On the other hand, provided you're not using stainless steel type hooks, they will eventually rust out, but you try to remove the hook of at all possible. Respect, and being a good steward.
When my nephew first came to live with me, he and the wife hit the beach with me. I hooked into a big ass ray, big bastard(or mama). It's like reeling in a cinder block, although they do meander about. Pretty strong runs from time to time. Initially when it hit we were sitting and chatting. Rod holder fell over and rod heading off across the sand and into the water. I ran and dove just in time to catch it. I'm reeling this big bastard in, and a bunch of kids for whatever reason with a of the beach had chosen to frolic right next to where I was fishing. Not a care in the world. This thing I had gotten within about 15 yards from the shore, and I'm like, "Hey, there's a big stingray right beside you. You don't want to get stung. Hey, hello?" I mean this thing was right there with them. People had gathered to watch. Truth, rays are a pain in the ass, no big bragging rights. Things were getting sketchy with those kids, teenagers. So I eventually thought best, leaned back hoping my rod wouldn't break, and snap, broke off the line. There a big "aaawe" from the crowd. Sure, it would have been interesting for everyone to take a look at him once on shore, fascinating creature, but I had to do what I had to do, somebody could've have gotten hurt.
Good times.