breaking auto glass

J

jscalia

Joined
Dec 11, 2006
Messages
126
Is there anything in your EDC that would effectively break the windows if you were trapped inside your vehicle in an auto accident?
 
I keep a fencing pliers in the door panel pocket. I've also bought safety hammers for my wife and parents for their cars.
 
BM 806D2 oughta serve. Glass breaking just takes large force concentrated onto a small point. If it wrecks the tip, this was an emergency right?
 
severtecher said:
I hear an automatic center punch, used in sheetmetal work, does a good job.
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I have broken more than my share of auto glass as a volunteer with the fire department.

An auto center punch works great. So would a hammer. Be aware that we are talking about side and usually back windows. The laminate of front windshields are a totally different animal. They are very tough with a plastic laminate. We use a glass saw for the windshield. Not an easy way out through the front windshield. Some newer high end cars also are using laminate on the side windows as well. That is not good news for getting out quick if the windows are up and the doors jammed.

Another useful tool that I use is this.

Spyderco Assist

The carbide tip works great on windows and the blade works great on seatbelts, and clothing.

KR
 
I carry a SureFire Delta knife. It has a hardened "mini spike" on the end for breaking glass.

Scott
 
ACP (Automatic Center Punch) in the glove box. If I'm on foot and need to break somebody out of their car, I'll improvise.
 
Since I've never broke a car window, I'll ask the dummy question.

Is it really that hard to break with, say, your elbow or with some clothe around your fist? I mean, yeah its thick, kinda, but its glass!
 
I've never given this much thought. I should have. To be rectified in the morning. Ball peen hammer should take care of it.

Doc
 
Buck268 said:
Since I've never broke a car window, I'll ask the dummy question.

Is it really that hard to break with, say, your elbow or with some clothe around your fist? I mean, yeah its thick, kinda, but its glass!
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its harder to break than one would think. and one of those things, that when you actually need to break it , it wont shatter for anything. ive seen people break them with their hands and elbows, but i wouldnt count on it.

also seen side windows take multiple hits with an asp (no comment on how asps suck necessary) without a scratch.

something dense and metal is pretty much a guarantee, hammer, large bearing, etc.
 
Tempered glass; i.e. the back and side windows is very difficult to break with soft objects like fists elbows or knees. They do shatter easily when chipped especially at the edge. Use a hammer, spring loaded center punch or tool/wrench/fire extinguisher etc. to hit the glass. Close your eyers and do not hit gently.
If the door does not open and you cannot exit another door try rolling the window down.
If the vehicle is so damaged that the doors will not open (remember to unlock them first) then it is very likely that everything that you thought was in its place has been thrown around by the impact and is now lost or out of reach. Take this into account in your preps.
Enjoy!
 
Buck268 said:
Since I've never broke a car window, I'll ask the dummy question.

Is it really that hard to break with, say, your elbow or with some clothe around your fist? I mean, yeah its thick, kinda, but its glass!
Click to expand...


I've broken more than my share when working at a Body Shop. With an automatic center punch or a pick hammer from the inside, its quite easy. Again, its a large force is a very small area.

That said, I did need to break a window in an emergency once. I was near my car and in a rush grabbed a four-was lug wrench. The vehicle was a mini van with the pop-open windows on the sliding doors. Since the driver was still in the vehicle I didn't want glass all over the front seats.

I hit the window at what should have been its weakest point. Where the rivet holds the latch at the bottom of the window. My first strike bounced off like it was bulletproof. Second strike - same. Third one finally shattered the glass.

You'd be surprised just how much effort it takes to break a window without the right tool. Putting an elbow through a window is pure hollywood. Especially from the outside.
 
kr1 said:
The laminate of front windshields are a totally different animal. They are very tough with a plastic laminate.
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You can cut that if you break the glass, hell on the edge of the knife/axe though.

-Cliff
 
kr1 said:
Some newer high end cars also are using laminate on the side windows as well. That is not good news for getting out quick if the windows are up and the doors jammed.
Click to expand...
Thanks to car jacking.

Anti-theft systems on high end cars have become so good (electronic locks and keys), that many thieves know consider it easier to stop the car (eg at a traffic light), punch the window and drag the driver out.

Funny thing: what was supposed to protect the car becomes dangerous to the driver. How ironic
 
Ravaillac said:
Thanks to car jacking.

Anti-theft systems on high end cars have become so good (electronic locks and keys), that many thieves know consider it easier to stop the car (eg at a traffic light), punch the window and drag the driver out.

Funny thing: what was supposed to protect the car becomes dangerous to the driver. How ironic
Click to expand...

haha good one... Has anyone tried hitting it at the exact center of the window it is supposely said to be the weakest point in an object... On buses in Singapore, beside every emergency window, there will be an emergency hammer, so far it have not been use by anyone.

What should you do if you got nothing at hand and you need to save someone and the only way is to break the window. How should you do it??
 
I have one of these on my keyring:
resqme.jpg

The center punch/glass breaking feature does work, as we tested the Res-Q-Me during a few FD extrication trainings.

As Cliff mentioned, the windshield (and on some cars rear window) is made from laminated glass and can be cut if you can get a purchase point. Doing this is not really recommended for a speedy escape/entry. For laminated glass, a knife like the one below would probably be a good choice. It has saw teeth like that on the Glas-Master laminated glass cutting tool, and cuts only on the pull stroke:
RT3.gif

The knife above also has a glass breaker tip on the end of the handle. It can also be used for light prying, cutting seatbealts, and the strips on the handle glow in the dark. A cool tool, but I haven't had a need for one.
 
I had asked the same question a while back in the Community forum after there were two cases of drownings when cars went into the water and neither occupants nor spectators had means to break windows !!! I now carry an auto center punch. Also handy is the tool illustrated above that is a combo glass breaker / seat belt cutter.
 
I use a modified version of this punch from Sears...
http://www.imagometrics.com/GoBags/Punch_1.htm
I stuck the point through a rubber stopper so only 1/6" of the point actually protrudes. Prior to activation the stopper helps steady the point.On activation the spring pressure compresses the rubber stopper enough to make the point really punch through. The handle makes it easy to use under duress and aids in control. I think I paid $7.00
 
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