Many rescuers have heard, seen, or used what is commonly known as a 3rd door conversion. The 3rd door conversion gains much needed access to rear occupants of a 2 door vehicle. This method can be completed quickly. The yellow lines show notches or cuts via the cutter or sawzall. If the cuts are done well, little to no sawzall work is needed. If only one cutter is available, we typically cut the upper B with a saw-zall. Once the cuts are completed there are two options. To put the spreader in your upper B cut and spread down/out until enough room is made to fit a ram. Another really good option is cutting the upper B and then cutting the remaining B post down to the window area. This allows a telescopic ram to be fit into the opening and allows for a ton quick of displacement. As always there are 1,000 ways to skin a cat. This is just two ways that allow for quick access with limited tools/manpower. Get out there and train and we will see you at FDIC....
ISAAC FRAZIER is a Special Operations Lieutenant with St. Johns County Florida’s Heavy Rescue “Squad 4”. First due to the deadliest stretch of roadway in the nation, Frazier teaches from personal street experience providing tried and true tactics. Frazier is the owner of Tactical Advantage Training and creator of the course Tactical Extrication. Frazier travels nationally sharing his passion teaching fire and extrication courses. Frazier is a FDIC lead HOT instructor, FDIC lecturer, Fire Engineering Contributor, Fire Officer II, FL Paramedic, Special Operations Officer, Florida State Instructor, FLUSAR Tech, Diver, and FL Hazmat Tech. www.TrainTacticalAdvantage.com
Extrication "Quick Tip" #53 (THE 3RD DOOR)
by Isaac Frazier
Feb 22, 2016
Many rescuers have heard, seen, or used what is commonly known as a 3rd door conversion. The 3rd door conversion gains much needed access to rear occupants of a 2 door vehicle. This method can be completed quickly. The yellow lines show notches or cuts via the cutter or sawzall. If the cuts are done well, little to no sawzall work is needed. If only one cutter is available, we typically cut the upper B with a saw-zall. Once the cuts are completed there are two options. To put the spreader in your upper B cut and spread down/out until enough room is made to fit a ram. Another really good option is cutting the upper B and then cutting the remaining B post down to the window area. This allows a telescopic ram to be fit into the opening and allows for a ton quick of displacement. As always there are 1,000 ways to skin a cat. This is just two ways that allow for quick access with limited tools/manpower. Get out there and train and we will see you at FDIC....
ISAAC FRAZIER is a Special Operations Lieutenant with St. Johns County Florida’s Heavy Rescue “Squad 4”. First due to the deadliest stretch of roadway in the nation, Frazier teaches from personal street experience providing tried and true tactics. Frazier is the owner of Tactical Advantage Training and creator of the course Tactical Extrication. Frazier travels nationally sharing his passion teaching fire and extrication courses. Frazier is a FDIC lead HOT instructor, FDIC lecturer, Fire Engineering Contributor, Fire Officer II, FL Paramedic, Special Operations Officer, Florida State Instructor, FLUSAR Tech, Diver, and FL Hazmat Tech. www.TrainTacticalAdvantage.com