"Rip and Strip" Tools for Vehicle Extrication

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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on November 8, 2009 at 2:45pm

I've seen the simple flathead screwdriver and even the tang from a spanner wrench work just as good.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Montpetit on November 8, 2009 at 3:38pm

the Firefighters swiss army tool.....The haligan handles it quite well....sink the pike and lever it off.....Paul

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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on November 8, 2009 at 5:23pm

A halligan is a pretty big tool to use in close proximity to a patient inside a vehicle. You really don't need that much leverage to remove a piece of plastic trim, do you?

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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on November 8, 2009 at 4:26pm

The best tools I've found are a large flat head screwdriver combined with a Bear Claw for areas where cutting is required.

If you use the Bear Claw, get the rescue version with the blunt tip.

I actually use a screwdriver-type pry bar along with the Bear Claw.

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Permalink Reply by Ralph L. Carr IV on November 8, 2009 at 5:03pm

A smaller version of the FUBAR works great. Like they say, it`s not rocket science. Find a simple tool that does a job. Don`t make it complicated. My gerber rescue knife has done well for me too.

http://www.rockynational.com/1857_22-01534_Gerber_Hinderer_Rescue_K...

Then again, I don`t get to play with the big boy toys. I just grab the pt and high tail it to the ER. :)

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Permalink Reply by Paul Montpetit on November 8, 2009 at 5:10pm

I just got the Gerber Rescue knife.....almost forgot about it.....LOL...Some of the guys call me McGyver...I have about anything that I might need nearby.....LOL Paul

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Permalink Reply by MInnFIrefighter on November 8, 2009 at 6:31pm

i have found that most times a spanner wrench works well.

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Permalink Reply by Tom Wheland on November 8, 2009 at 8:17pm

These days you have to be extra careful. Could be high voltage wire or air bags under that plastic. Spanner works fine.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Montpetit on November 8, 2009 at 9:27pm

High voltage doesn't run there but you are right...air bag or seat belt pretensioner sometimes does...thats why we disable the 12 volt power source BEFORE we cut and rip....the gerber has a good prying blade....Paul

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Permalink Reply by Brad on November 8, 2009 at 9:26pm

In close quarters an officer's tools works great to split the plastic away.

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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on November 8, 2009 at 9:34pm

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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on November 8, 2009 at 9:46pm

Yeah Ben, I definately think that tool would um remove the plastic um and um there wouldn't be a need to um worry about the airbags going off um....but you don't think that is too much do you? :-D




(I know what you are getting at though)

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