By David Dalrymple
For FireRescue1.com

Let’s look at the way we displace the side(s) of vehicles today. First off, be it a car, SUV or even a pick-up truck, most vehicles today have four doors (two on each side) more often than not.

When we “pop” doors today, the door materials often shred, tear and rip apart, leaving us to attack it another way or try to cut the door off.
Why does this happen? Well, think of doors of having “hard” points and “soft” points.

The lightweight door materials are coupled with high-strength latches and hinges by the door crash beam, and the whole ensemble is tied tighter together than before due to vehicle construction and design and its inherent ability to move crash energy throughout the vehicle structure.

So we know door “pops” have issues. But today’s cutters can make short work of cutting hinges and latches. Why not just cut them in the first place?

Cutting hinges and latches to remove the door creates much less stress and strain on the vehicle, which eases stress on the patient and the tool operator.

Read the full article on FireRescue1.com.