EXTRICATION "Quick Tip" #42 (A CYLINDER, OH NO!)

During many of my Tactical Extrication Courses, students will occasionally come across compressed airbag cylinders located throughout the vehicle. Anyone who has taken one of my classes knows that I always push peeling back plastic and exposing posts/pillars to check for airbag cylinders. So what happens when you run across a post that has to be cut for access but the only cutting area accessible is blocked by a airbag cylinder?  In this "Quick Tip" I'm not going to get into the debate of is it "possible" to cut these cylinders. What I am going to do is show you an alternative method to getting around these cylinders that is quick and has worked for us well on the street. As show above, a quick spread of the attachment will allow you to cut the post without compromising the cylinder. So next time you run across a compressed cylinder don't follow suit and scream DON'T DO IT...just use a little finesse and make a little room. This method can be done with hydraulic hand pumps, halligans, and other various tools as well. ALL WE ARE DOING in this situation is trying to get a little room to allow cutting of the post not the cylinder. If you don't have to move the cylinder, then DON'T....this is just an option when you have run out of options and the post "must" be cut.

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 instructor, Fire Engineering Contributor, Fire Officer II, FL Paramedic, Special Operations Officer, Florida State Instructor, FLUSAR Tech, Diver, and FL Hazmat Tech.  www.TrainTacticalAdvantage.