Master essential vehicle rescue techniques, including breaking glass, removing doors, accessing sliding doors, and safely extracting roofs to protect rescuers and victims.

In the event of a traffic accident, it may be impossible to open doors due to locking mechanisms or deformation. In such cases, rescue teams need to perform breaking operations to contact and rescue the victims. The following describes vehicle breaking activities. However, to minimize risks to both rescuers and victims, unnecessary breaking activities should be avoided.

Vehicle Rescue Breaking Glass

If the doors cannot be opened due to locking or deformation, prioritize breaking the glass to gain entry and unlock the doors.

Tempered Glass (Side Windows)

The side windows of a car are made of tempered glass, which shatters into small pieces when struck at a single point. When breaking the glass, cover it with tape to prevent scattering.

Break the glass in areas where there are no victims. Use tools like window punches or glass masters for this task.

• Window Punch
• Glass Master Tool

Try to remove the shattered glass outside the vehicle as much as possible.

Laminated Glass (Front Windshield)

The front windshield consists of two layers of glass with a vinyl film in between. Unlike tempered glass, it does not shatter into pieces, so you need to cut it using a reciprocating saw or glass master. When cutting the front windshield, cover the victims with a blanket to protect them from glass dust.

Vehicle Rescue Breaking Doors

If the vehicle is severely damaged and the victims are trapped and cannot be rescued through the doors, further breaking or cutting of the vehicle or doors is necessary.

Door Hinges

Car doors are attached with two hinges at the front. Use a spreader for quick and strong removal. First, crush the fender area with the spreader to expose the hinges. If the hinges are already exposed due to deformation, this step is not necessary.

For one-box type vehicles without a fender or with severe fender deformation, spread the window frame of the side door with the spreader.

Once the hinges are visible, remove the hinges, electrical cords, and check links from top to bottom with the spreader. Hold the door to prevent it from falling suddenly. If removal is difficult with the spreader alone, use a cutter or clipper.

If the hinges are not deformed, consider removing them with tools.

Move the removed door to a place where it does not obstruct activities or place it under the vehicle.

Door Latch

Car doors are locked by the interaction of the latch and striker. Use a spreader for quick and strong removal.

First, create a space at the top of the door using a crowbar or Halligan tool.

You can also spread the side door window frame with the spreader to expose the latch.

Gradually open the space from the top to the latch area, then remove the striker from the latch using the spreader. If removal is difficult with the spreader alone, use a cutter or clipper.

Sliding Doors

Many modern vehicles have power sliding doors that can be opened and closed using three rollers: rear roller, upper roller, and lower roller.

①Rear roller
②Upper roller
③Lower roller

To open sliding doors, use the spreader. Start by spreading the rear roller, then proceed in order from the top: upper roller, hinge, and lower roller.

Removing the Roof

If the vehicle is severely damaged or deformed, making it impossible to secure working space inside the vehicle, you need to remove the roof.

First, cut the upper part of the windshield and then cut the upper part of all pillars using a reciprocating saw or hydraulic cutter.

Be cautious of side curtain airbags (airbags). Cutting the airbags is possible, but cutting the high-pressure gas cylinder can cause it to burst.

Types of Airbags

Press the button to confirm the types of airbags.

• Driver Airbag
• Passenger Airbag
• Side Airbag
• Curtain Airbag
• Knee Airbag
• Rear Center Airbag
• Front Center Airbag
• Pedestrian Protection Airbag

Once all pillars are cut, lift the roof by hand and move it so it does not obstruct activities.

Reference page: Learn essential traffic rescue techniques, including vehicle stabilization, victim assessment, airbag protection, and safe victim extraction to save lives.

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