Firefighter Tools: Spring Loaded Punch

Video Transcript

"One of the most convenient and handy tools for a firefighter to carry is the spring-loaded punch. The spring-loaded punch was originally designed as a machinists tool, that we've adapted into the fire service for vehicle extrication purposes. The spring layer loaded punch works perfect on the tempered side windows and rear windows of passenger vehicles, so we can quickly gain access to get into that patient. The spring-loaded punch has an adjustment at one end where we adjust the tension on the spring, and for firefighting purposes, we normally like to have that tension as high as it will go. That will enable that point, when retracted into the handle by pressing on it, to fire through that piece of glass by placing it in the corner of a window, firing it into that window, and then that spring-loaded punch will fracture that tempered glass into small nuggets or chunks that we can easily pick out and remove by hand, and quickly gain access into a locked vehicle where that patient or victim cannot open or unlock the doors for us. The spring-loaded punch is one of the most handy tools to carry, because it very easily gets lost if carried on a piece of apparatus. The spring-loaded punch; a very handy tool to have."