Alternative tool evolutions of today

When you hear the title of this discussion thread what comes to your mind today? Tools? Technique? Application? Or maybe all the above or something else? How many of you have faced a situation where your tools didnt work as expected or even at all at the evolution you were attempting? What did you do then to resolve the issue?
We will face this concern more and more as time moves along. While I have discussed material and construction issues for quite some time this concern will take on a larger image than I believe safety systems and motive power concerns will become over time. Bottom line if you can't break or move it how do you disentangle the patient? Let's hear it fellow rescuers!