What is your best and worst tools for removing a windshield during extrication?

What Tools have you and your Dept. used for removing a windshield from a vehicle during extrications?

Which tools work the best? - Why?

Which are the worst? - Why?

any other thoughts?

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Permalink Reply by Charles S. Brown on December 27, 2010 at 9:04pm

I have done one our two windshield removes over the years and I find the Glass Master or tools of the same design to be very effective. They are fast and you can keep control over them with little glass dust, I'm not saying fragments. Keep in mind Nomex hoods are for your head and masks are for your airways. Think about it!

Axes can remove a windshield quickly with a well trained responder, but if you have never been involved in an auto incident before in your life and some guy comes out of the blue with an axe and starts to hack out your windshield, it might not done much for your frame of mind.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on December 27, 2010 at 9:38pm

I suppose I'm the only one who's heard of the "Deer Technique" for gaining access through the front windshield, not to be confused with the famous off duty firefighters shopping at the local Victoria Secret for his wife Christmas present "Deer in the Headlights" stance.

CBz

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Permalink Reply by Dwight Mumpower Jr on December 27, 2010 at 11:52pm

I'm gonna side with joemac... worst tool for the job - ripe banana. However on the note of the deer technique it appears as tho most of the work was done pre arrival of the FD/Rescue units. So of course I am a fan of that one.

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Permalink Reply by Forrest Post on December 27, 2010 at 11:57pm

Best tool - Pocket knife. Seen it done a couple times at trainings...cut and peel away the rubber seal around windshields and shove your knife down in and pry up the windshield. Much like this guy does in the video.

Worst tool - A firefighter thinking they can punch out a windshield after watching Jersey Shore with their fist.

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Permalink Reply by lutan1 on December 28, 2010 at 12:02am

Very insightful joemac- NOT! :-(

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Permalink Reply by lutan1 on December 28, 2010 at 12:05am

And how many windscreens come out that easily, with no mastic or other glues holding them in place?

I've yet to see a single one come out that easy- in fact with the glues, I'd suggest that using the blade as a lever is incorrect use as it's an un-natural way to use the tool (cross loading the blade for want of a better word)....

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Permalink Reply by Fireman Larry on December 28, 2010 at 3:13am

I guess this crew doesn't believe in eye protection, even after the one inside takes glass in the face.

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Permalink Reply by Brian Dumser on December 28, 2010 at 7:22pm

Dumbest video ever! IMHO a useless tool, except maybe for self rescue. Where I come from, we'd have had the entire windshield out in 1/4 of the time it took any of those guys on the video.