Lockpicking as an ems/fire skill

[TechMedic]

Slim Jims and lock-picking equipment are illegal in couple States.. I know for sure Nevada is one. They're considered prima facie, basically an open and shut case..

If anyone is interested:
http://lockwiki.com/index.php/Legal_issues

However, working for a 911 service may excuse you from 'prima facie' as you do have a legitimate reason to have them.

it is usually required that you be in one of the following categories to legally possess tools:

Government/Law Enforcement
Lock manufacturer/distributor
Locksmith (certification required, usually)
Automobile dealer
Repossessor

 

[JPINFV]

It would be impractical to try to teach on a wide scale, and say "lockpicking is a fire/ems skill". You can learn to pop open padlocks pretty easily, but to actually become good enough to open "real" locks quickly (modern exterior home door locks) takes tons and tons of practice.

Bump keys?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpH_t0u5Ybg[/youtube]

 

[J B]

Bump keys?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpH_t0u5Ybg[/youtube]

I was aware of the technique but jeez, I didn't realize how easy and effective it can be!

The only problem I could see is that brands require different shapes of key - you would need a set of bump keys whereas lockpicks are universal. You could just carry a keyring with keys to fit the major brands, though, or leave one in the truck.

Still outside of EMS scope, but I could see it being useful for fire to have once in a blue moon.

 

[abckidsmom]

Bump keys?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpH_t0u5Ybg[/youtube]

A guy I know had a side job "gaining access" to foreclosed homes for the property management company. He used bump keys, drilled out locks, etc.

The point was to do minimal damage because repairing it slowed you down.

Bump keys were helpful, but didn't always work.

 

[Bullets]

There's no way it's faster than the destructive methods. If the situation is so non-urgent that you're considering using a lockpick, just call a locksmith instead of Fire/EMS. In your call yesterday, I suppose it was a mix of need to get to her and time to wait. If she weren't able to crawl to unlock the door, a single broken window wouldn't have been the worst thing in the world.

I started picking as a hobby and something to do on my downtime at the station. Plenty of doors around to practice on. I got a spare doorknob i can hold in my lap and pick on. It takes a locksmith 20-30 minutes to get to wherever i need them. I can pick the basic Schladge door lock in a minute or two with a bump key, maybe 3-4 with rakes and picks. It something nice to have in my back pocket

 

[phideux]

We carry lockpick tools on the ambulance, It's called a set of irons.