diff --git a/api/bag.cpp b/api/bag.cpp
index 66ec97b61b..bc97bf5a43 100644
--- a/api/bag.cpp
+++ b/api/bag.cpp
@@ -19,6 +19,8 @@
 #include "bag_vrrefinements.h"
 #include "bag_vrrefinementsdescriptor.h"
 #include "bag_vrtrackinglist.h"
+#include <array>
+#include <cstdio>
 
 #ifdef _MSC_VER
 #pragma warning(push)
@@ -32,14 +34,13 @@
 #include <sstream>
 #include <string>
 #include <string.h>
+#include "signal_hook.h"
 
 #ifdef _MSC_VER
 #pragma warning(pop)
 #endif
 
 
-namespace {
-
 //! Convert a BAG::CompoundDataType (C++) into a BagCompoundDataType (C).
 /*!
 \param field
@@ -111,8 +112,6 @@ BAG::CompoundDataType getValue(
     }
 }
 
-}  // namespace
-
 //! Open the specified BAG.
 /*!
 \param handle
@@ -134,6 +133,8 @@ BagError bagFileOpen(
     BAG_OPEN_MODE accessMode,
     const char* fileName)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
+
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -169,6 +170,7 @@ BagError bagFileOpen(
 BagError bagFileClose(
     BagHandle* handle)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -204,6 +206,7 @@ BagError bagCreateFromFile(
     const char* fileName,
     const char* metadataFile)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -257,6 +260,7 @@ BagError bagCreateFromBuffer(
     uint8_t* metadataBuffer,
     uint32_t metadataBufferSize)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -303,6 +307,7 @@ BagError bagCreateLayer(
     BagHandle* handle,
     BAG_LAYER_TYPE type)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -344,6 +349,7 @@ BagError bagGetGridDimensions(
     uint32_t* rows,
     uint32_t* cols)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -378,6 +384,7 @@ BagError bagGetSpacing(
     double* rowSpacing,
     double* columnSpacing)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -421,6 +428,7 @@ BagError bagGetGeoCover(
     double* urx,
     double* ury)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -461,6 +469,7 @@ BagError bagGetMinMaxSimple(
     float* minValue,
     float* maxValue)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -498,6 +507,7 @@ BagError bagSetMinMaxSimple(
     float minValue,
     float maxValue)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -530,6 +540,7 @@ BagError bagGetNumLayers(
     BagHandle* handle,
     uint32_t* numLayers)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -566,6 +577,7 @@ bool bagContainsLayer(
     const char* layerName,
     BagError* bagError)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
     {
         *bagError = BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
@@ -628,6 +640,7 @@ BagError bagRead(
     double* x,
     double* y)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -697,6 +710,7 @@ BagError bagWrite(
     const char* layerName,
     const uint8_t* data)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -743,6 +757,7 @@ BagError bagGetErrorString(
     BagError code,
     uint8_t** error)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     constexpr int MAX_STR = 255;
     constexpr int RANK = 2;
 
@@ -981,6 +996,7 @@ BagError bagComputePostion(
     double* x,
     double* y)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -1019,6 +1035,7 @@ BagError bagComputeIndex(
     uint32_t* row,
     uint32_t* col)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -1059,6 +1076,7 @@ uint8_t* bagAllocateBuffer(
     const char* layerName,
     BagError* bagError)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return {};
 
@@ -1095,6 +1113,7 @@ uint8_t* bagAllocateBuffer(
 */
 uint8_t* bagAllocate(uint32_t numBytes)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     return new uint8_t[numBytes];
 }
 
@@ -1105,6 +1124,7 @@ uint8_t* bagAllocate(uint32_t numBytes)
 */
 void bagFree(uint8_t* buffer)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     delete[] buffer;
 }
 
@@ -1130,6 +1150,7 @@ BagError bagReadCorrectorVerticalDatum(
     uint8_t corrector,
     uint8_t* datum)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -1193,6 +1214,7 @@ BagError bagWriteCorrectorVerticalDatum(
     uint8_t corrector,
     const uint8_t* inDatum)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -1272,6 +1294,7 @@ BagError bagReadCorrectedLayer(
     BAG_LAYER_TYPE type,
     float** data)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -1339,6 +1362,7 @@ BagError bagReadCorrectedRegion(
     BAG_LAYER_TYPE type,
     float** data)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -1388,6 +1412,7 @@ BagError bagReadCorrectedRow(
     BAG_LAYER_TYPE type,
     float** data)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -1445,6 +1470,7 @@ BagError bagReadCorrectedNode(
     BAG_LAYER_TYPE type,
     float** data)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -1484,6 +1510,7 @@ BagError bagGetNumSurfaceCorrectors(
     BagHandle* handle,
     uint8_t* numCorrectors)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -1522,6 +1549,7 @@ BagError bagGetSurfaceCorrectionTopography(
     BagHandle* handle,
     BAG_SURFACE_CORRECTION_TOPOGRAPHY* type)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -1563,6 +1591,7 @@ BagError bagCreateCorrectorLayer(
     uint8_t numCorrectors,
     BAG_SURFACE_CORRECTION_TOPOGRAPHY topography)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -1598,6 +1627,7 @@ BagError bagWriteCorrectorDefinition(
     BagHandle* handle,
     BagVerticalCorrectorDef* def)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -1646,6 +1676,7 @@ BagError bagReadCorrectorDefinition(
     BagHandle* handle,
     BagVerticalCorrectorDef* def)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -1686,6 +1717,7 @@ BagError bagTrackingListLength(
     BagHandle* handle,
     uint32_t* length)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -1724,6 +1756,7 @@ BagError bagReadTrackingListNode(
     BagTrackingItem** items,
     uint32_t* numItems)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -1773,6 +1806,7 @@ BagError bagReadTrackingListCode(
     BagTrackingItem** items,
     uint32_t* numItems)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -1822,6 +1856,7 @@ BagError bagReadTrackingListSeries(
     BagTrackingItem** items,
     uint32_t* numItems)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -1864,6 +1899,7 @@ BagError bagWriteTrackingListItem(
     BagHandle* handle,
     BagTrackingItem* item)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -1898,6 +1934,7 @@ BagError bagWriteTrackingListItem(
 */
 BagError bagSortTrackingListByNode(BagHandle* handle)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -1934,6 +1971,7 @@ BagError bagSortTrackingListByNode(BagHandle* handle)
 */
 BagError bagSortTrackingListBySeries(BagHandle* handle)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -1970,6 +2008,7 @@ BagError bagSortTrackingListBySeries(BagHandle* handle)
 */
 BagError bagSortTrackingListByCode(BagHandle* handle)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -2006,6 +2045,7 @@ BagError bagSortTrackingListByCode(BagHandle* handle)
 */
 const BagMetadata* bagGetMetaData(BagHandle* handle)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return nullptr;
 
@@ -2023,6 +2063,7 @@ const BagMetadata* bagGetMetaData(BagHandle* handle)
 */
 BagError bagSetHomeFolder(const char* metadataFolder)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!metadataFolder)
         return BAG_INVALID_FUNCTION_ARGUMENT;
 
@@ -2063,6 +2104,7 @@ BagError bagCreateGeorefMetadataLayer(
         const FieldDefinition* definition,
         uint32_t numFields)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -2116,7 +2158,10 @@ BagError bagCreateGeorefMetadataLayer(
 BAG_EXTERNAL BagError bagCreateMetadataProfileGeorefMetadataLayer(BagHandle* handle,
                                                                   BAG_DATA_TYPE indexType,
                                                                   GEOREF_METADATA_PROFILE profile,
-                                                                  const char* layerName) {
+     
+                                                                 const char* layerName) {
+                                                                    
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -2169,6 +2214,7 @@ BagError bagGetGeorefMetadataLayerDefinition(
     FieldDefinition** definition,
     uint32_t* numFields)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -2224,6 +2270,7 @@ BagError bagGetGeorefMetadataLayerRecords(
     uint32_t* numRecords,
     uint32_t* numFields)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -2305,6 +2352,7 @@ BagError bagGetGeorefMetadataLayerValueByName(
     const char* fieldName,
     BagCompoundDataType* value)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -2367,6 +2415,7 @@ BagError bagGetGeorefMetadataLayerValueByIndex(
     uint32_t fieldIndex,
     BagCompoundDataType* value)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -2425,6 +2474,7 @@ BagError bagGetGeorefMetadataLayerFieldIndex(
     const char* fieldName,
     uint32_t* fieldIndex)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -2472,6 +2522,7 @@ BagError bagGetGeorefMetadataLayerFieldName(
     uint32_t fieldIndex,
     const char** fieldName)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -2522,6 +2573,7 @@ BagError bagAddGeorefMetadataLayerRecord(
     uint32_t numFields,
     uint32_t* recordIndex)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -2587,6 +2639,7 @@ BagError bagAddGeorefMetadataLayerRecords(
     uint32_t numRecords,
     uint32_t numFields)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -2660,6 +2713,7 @@ BagError bagGeorefMetadataLayerSetValueByName(
     const char* fieldName,
     const BagCompoundDataType* value)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -2724,6 +2778,7 @@ BagError bagGeorefMetadataLayerSetValueByIndex(
     uint32_t fieldIndex,
     const BagCompoundDataType* value)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -2779,6 +2834,7 @@ BagError bagCreateVRLayers(
     BagHandle* handle,
     bool makeNode)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -2829,6 +2885,7 @@ BagError bagVRMetadataGetMinDimensions(
     uint32_t* minX,
     uint32_t* minY)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -2871,6 +2928,7 @@ BagError bagVRMetadataGetMaxDimensions(
     uint32_t* maxX,
     uint32_t* maxY)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -2913,6 +2971,7 @@ BagError bagVRMetadataGetMinResolution(
     float* minX,
     float* minY)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -2955,6 +3014,7 @@ BagError bagVRMetadataGetMaxResolution(
     float* maxX,
     float* maxY)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -2994,6 +3054,7 @@ BagError bagVRMetadataSetMinDimensions(
     uint32_t minX,
     uint32_t minY)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -3047,6 +3108,7 @@ BagError bagVRMetadataSetMaxDimensions(
     uint32_t maxX,
     uint32_t maxY)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -3100,6 +3162,7 @@ BagError bagVRMetadataSetMinResolution(
     float minX,
     float minY)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -3153,6 +3216,7 @@ BagError bagVRMetadataSetMaxResolution(
     float maxX,
     float maxY)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -3209,6 +3273,7 @@ BagError bagVRNodeGetMinMaxHypStrength(
     float* minHypStr,
     float* maxHypStr)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -3250,6 +3315,7 @@ BagError bagVRNodeGetMinMaxNumHypotheses(
     uint32_t* minNumHyp,
     uint32_t* maxNumHyp)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -3291,6 +3357,7 @@ BagError bagVRNodeGetMinMaxNSamples(
     uint32_t* minNSamples,
     uint32_t* maxNSamples)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -3330,6 +3397,7 @@ BagError bagVRNodeSetMinMaxHypStrength(
     float minHypStr,
     float maxHypStr)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -3383,6 +3451,7 @@ BagError bagVRNodeSetMinMaxNumHypotheses(
     uint32_t minNumHyp,
     uint32_t maxNumHyp)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -3436,6 +3505,7 @@ BagError bagVRNodeSetMinMaxNSamples(
     uint32_t minNSamples,
     uint32_t maxNSamples)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -3492,6 +3562,7 @@ BAG_EXTERNAL BagError bagVRRefinementGetMinMaxDepth(
     float* minDepth,
     float* maxDepth)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -3533,6 +3604,7 @@ BAG_EXTERNAL BagError bagVRRefinementGetMinMaxUncertainty(
     float* minUncert,
     float* maxUncert)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -3572,6 +3644,7 @@ BAG_EXTERNAL BagError bagVRRefinementSetMinMaxDepth(
     float minDepth,
     float maxDepth)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -3625,6 +3698,7 @@ BAG_EXTERNAL BagError bagVRRefinementSetMinMaxUncertainty(
     float minUncert,
     float maxUncert)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -3677,6 +3751,7 @@ BagError bagVRTrackingListLength(
     BagHandle* handle,
     uint32_t* numItems)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -3719,6 +3794,7 @@ BagError bagReadVRTrackingListNode(
     BagVRTrackingItem** items,
     uint32_t* numItems)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -3773,6 +3849,7 @@ BagError bagReadVRTrackingListSubNode(
     BagVRTrackingItem** items,
     uint32_t* numItems)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -3824,6 +3901,7 @@ BagError bagReadVRTrackingListCode(
     BagVRTrackingItem** items,
     uint32_t* numItems)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -3875,6 +3953,7 @@ BagError bagReadVRTrackingListSeries(
     BagVRTrackingItem** items,
     uint32_t* numItems)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -3919,6 +3998,7 @@ BagError bagWriteVRTrackingListItem(
     BagHandle* handle,
     BagVRTrackingItem* item)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -3964,6 +4044,7 @@ BagError bagWriteVRTrackingListItem(
 BagError bagSortVRTrackingListByNode(
     BagHandle* handle)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -4011,6 +4092,7 @@ BagError bagSortVRTrackingListByNode(
 BagError bagSortVRTrackingListBySubNode(
     BagHandle* handle)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -4058,6 +4140,7 @@ BagError bagSortVRTrackingListBySubNode(
 BagError bagSortVRTrackingListBySeries(
     BagHandle* handle)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
@@ -4105,6 +4188,7 @@ BagError bagSortVRTrackingListBySeries(
 BagError bagSortVRTrackingListByCode(
     BagHandle* handle)
 {
+    auto bag_hook = BagAbortHook();
     if (!handle)
         return BAG_INVALID_BAG_HANDLE;
 
diff --git a/api/bag_dataset.cpp b/api/bag_dataset.cpp
index 02f332d900..9efe6239c9 100644
--- a/api/bag_dataset.cpp
+++ b/api/bag_dataset.cpp
@@ -276,6 +276,17 @@ std::shared_ptr<Dataset> Dataset::open(
     {
         std::cerr << "\nUnable to open BAG file: " << fileName << " due to error: " << fileExcept.getCDetailMsg();
         return nullptr;
+    } catch (H5::GroupIException &groupExcept) {
+        std::cerr << "\nAn group exception occurred opening the dataset. Error was in "
+            << groupExcept.getFuncName()
+            << ". A detailed message follows:"
+            << std::endl << groupExcept.getDetailMsg() << std::endl;
+    } catch (H5::Exception &otherException)
+    {
+        std::cerr << "\nAn unknown exception occurred opening the dataset. Error was in "
+            << otherException.getFuncName()
+            << ". A detailed message follows:"
+            << std::endl << otherException.getDetailMsg() << std::endl;
     }
 
     return pDataset;
diff --git a/api/signal_hook.h b/api/signal_hook.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..f2376d585b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/api/signal_hook.h
@@ -0,0 +1,202 @@
+#ifndef BAG_SIGNAL_HOOK
+#define BAG_SIGNAL_HOOK
+
+#include <iostream>
+#include <ostream>
+#include <string>
+
+// from https://man7.org/linux/man-pages/man2/sigaction.2.html
+// and https://man7.org/linux/man-pages/man7/feature_test_macros.7.html
+#ifdef _POSIX_C_SOURCE
+
+#include <string.h>
+#include <signal.h>
+#include <array>
+#include <csignal>
+#include <cstdio>
+#include <unistd.h>
+
+#define HOOK_HANDLERS_COUNT 255
+#define HOOK_CLEANUP_FUNCTIONS_COUNT 50
+
+static void (*cleanup_functions[HOOK_CLEANUP_FUNCTIONS_COUNT])(int);
+static int cleanup_functions_count = 0;
+
+// Returns 0 on success, 1 if too many functions have been set
+// This is not thread safe, only call it from a single thread
+int add_cleanup_function(void (*f)(int)) {
+    if (cleanup_functions_count >= HOOK_CLEANUP_FUNCTIONS_COUNT) {
+        return 1;
+    }
+
+    cleanup_functions[cleanup_functions_count] = f;
+    cleanup_functions_count++;
+
+    return 0;
+}
+
+
+static void bag_handler(int signal);
+
+struct BagAbortHook;
+
+static BagAbortHook* current_hook;
+
+static int bag_string_length(const char* string) {
+    int length = 0;
+    while(true) {
+        if (string[length] == 0) {
+            break;
+        }
+        length++;
+    }
+
+    return length;
+}
+
+struct BagAbortHook {
+    BagAbortHook* previous;
+    struct sigaction old_handlers[HOOK_HANDLERS_COUNT];
+
+    // returns after done printing the exit message
+    void print_error_msg(int signal) {
+        // if the handlers are the same, don't call "bag handler" twice
+        char* signal_name;
+
+        #define TERM_STRING "a critical error occurred within BAG or a dependency (probably libxml or HDF5), exiting to prevent corruption or unexpected behavior. The signal that caused this error was: "
+
+        // I can't figure out how to tell if sigabbrev_np exists so I'll
+        // just print the ones it probably is
+        const char* signal_abbrev = "<unknown>";
+
+        if(signal == SIGSEGV) {
+            signal_abbrev = "SIGSEGV";
+        } else if(signal == SIGABRT) {
+            signal_abbrev = "SIGABRT";
+        } else if(signal == SIGFPE) {
+            signal_abbrev = "SIGFPE";
+        } else if(signal == SIGKILL) {
+            signal_abbrev = "SIGKILL";
+        } else if(signal == SIGILL) {
+            signal_abbrev = "SIGILL";
+        } else if(signal == SIGBUS) {
+            signal_abbrev = "SIGBUS";
+        }
+
+        // I think this works, it seems to? write needs a file descriptor
+        int stderr_fd = stderr->_fileno;
+
+        // strlen is not async signal safe, so it can't be used here, but bag_string_length works instead
+        write(stderr_fd, TERM_STRING, bag_string_length(TERM_STRING));
+        write(stderr_fd, signal_abbrev, bag_string_length(signal_abbrev));
+        write(stderr_fd, "\n", 1);
+    }
+
+    void call_cleanup_functions(int signal) {
+        for(int i = 0; i < cleanup_functions_count; i++) {
+            cleanup_functions[i](signal);
+        }
+    }
+
+    void call_previous_handler(int signal) {
+        if (this->old_handlers[signal].sa_handler != nullptr && this->old_handlers[signal].sa_handler != bag_handler) {
+            this->old_handlers[signal].sa_handler(signal);
+        }
+    }
+
+    void handle(int signal) {
+        this->print_error_msg(signal);
+
+        // if anyone set a cleanup function, call those
+        this->call_cleanup_functions(signal);
+
+        // if there was a handler before this, that isn't the BAG handler,
+        // call that one
+        this->call_previous_handler(signal);
+
+        // if nothing has exited in the previous handlers, exit here
+        _exit(-1);
+    }
+
+    std::array<int, 6> handled_signals() {
+        return { SIGABRT, SIGILL, SIGBUS, SIGFPE, SIGSEGV, SIGKILL };
+    }
+
+    BagAbortHook() {
+        // set these all to null so that when restoring them
+        // we know which ones were added
+        for (int i = 0; i < HOOK_HANDLERS_COUNT; i++) {
+            this->old_handlers[i].sa_handler = nullptr;
+        }
+
+        struct sigaction old_action;
+        for (auto sn : this->handled_signals()) {
+            struct sigaction new_action;
+            new_action.sa_flags = 0;
+            new_action.sa_handler = bag_handler;
+
+            // I was going to use https://en.cppreference.com/w/c/program/signal here
+            // but I needed to get what the old action was so that I could
+            // put the original handler back
+            // https://linux.die.net/man/2/sigaction seems to give me what it used to be
+            // in old action, but I'm not sure if I need to do anything special with the
+            // other things in the sigaction struct?
+            //
+            // Actually, I think it does support it but apparently signal is
+            // pretty outdated: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/231912/what-is-the-difference-between-sigaction-and-signal
+            auto r = sigaction(sn, &new_action, &old_action);
+
+            this->old_handlers[sn] = old_action;
+        }
+        this->previous = current_hook;
+        current_hook = this;
+    }
+
+    ~BagAbortHook() {
+        // reset the handlers back to what they were
+        for (auto sn : this->handled_signals()) {
+            struct sigaction old_action = this->old_handlers[sn];
+            sigaction(sn, &old_action, nullptr);
+        }
+
+        current_hook = this->previous;
+    }
+};
+
+static void bag_handler(int signal) {
+    if (current_hook) {
+        current_hook->handle(signal);
+    } else {
+        // something broke I think?
+        // I don't know if there's a way to deal with this
+        // so I'll just exit here
+        _exit(-2);
+    }
+}
+
+#else // this isn't linux with sigaction, so make a BagAbortHook that does nothing
+
+static bool bag_warning_printed = false;
+
+static void print_disabled_warning() {
+    if (!bag_warning_printed) {
+        bag_warning_printed = true;
+        std::cout << "WARNING: BagAbortHook and add_cleanup_function are disabled because _POSIX_C_SOURCE does not say that sigaction is available" << std::endl;
+    }
+}
+
+int add_cleanup_function(void (*)(int)) {
+    print_disabled_warning();
+    return 0;
+}
+
+
+struct BagAbortHook {
+    BagAbortHook() {
+        print_disabled_warning();
+    }
+};
+
+#endif
+
+#endif
diff --git a/examples/driver.cpp b/examples/driver.cpp
index 0160a8ed31..1260b121b8 100644
--- a/examples/driver.cpp
+++ b/examples/driver.cpp
@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
+
+#include <string>
 #include <cstring>
 #include <iostream>
 #include <fstream>
-#include <string>
 #include <ios>
 #include <vector>
 #include <stdint.h>
@@ -40,4 +41,4 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)//argv, which is an array of pointers to strings
     //strcpy(filename_cstr, filename.c_str());
 
     LLVMFuzzerTestOneInputByFile(filename.c_str());
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/tests/test_signal_hook.cpp b/tests/test_signal_hook.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..579172ee7f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_signal_hook.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+#include "../api/signal_hook.h"
+#include <csignal>
+#include <cstdlib>
+#include <iostream>
+#include <ostream>
+
+void cleanuper(int signal) {
+    std::cout << "cleanuper" << std::endl;
+}
+
+void existing_handler(int signal) {
+    std::cout << "existing handler" << std::endl;
+}
+
+int main(int argc, char** argv) {
+    signal(SIGSEGV, existing_handler);
+
+    BagAbortHook hook;
+
+    add_cleanup_function(cleanuper);
+
+    std::cout << "signal going to happen" << std::endl;
+
+    // this causes the segfault, but not sure if compiler might do something else?
+    // this is just a test, so could maybe make it do sigabrt instead?
+    volatile int* p = nullptr;
+
+    int v = *p;
+    
+
+    std::cout << "v is:" << v << std::endl;
+
+    std::cout << "this shouldn't print" << std::endl;
+}