One Way In – Good Dude’s Breach and Rescue Bar

Definition: Breach

2 of 2

verb

breached; breaching; breaches

transitive verb

1: to make a gap in by battering: to make a breach (see breach entry 1 sense 2b) in breached the castle wall

Patrol Breaching

This has regularly, certainly repeatedly, been a discussion in law enforcement, specifically for patrol. Going back longer than fifteen years now. It was talked about after the Virginia Tech active killer event in April 2007. The suspect, who shall remain nameless, chained the entrance doors shut before initiating his attack.

With a combination of events like that and the occasional need to forcibly enter locations, once all Constitutional and statutory requirements were addressed, many began carrying expedient breaching equipment.

Early Ideas

In the late 00s and throughout the remainder of my career, I kept a set of tools in my patrol vehicles. They were – a full-size 30” long Stanley FUBAR FatMax III, a short sledge, and a set of bolt cutters. While each might only do a few things well (if that many), the combination gave me options. And, nearly as important, they could easily be carried to a breach point along with weapons.

The bolt cutter was there for chains and padlocks. The small sledge could handle window glass, especially if reinforced, as well as setting the FUBAR’s pry tool.

The FUBAR itself had a hammerhead on the back side. Opposing that head were two sets of jaws, one of which was for a large nut. At the bottom of the handle was a slotted claw that could handle multiple prying or twisting tasks.  

Additionally, many of my peers went with the shorter version, a mere 15” in length. Some also removed the bottom jaw to facilitate its use as an additional pry tool.

An RMJ hatchet found its way into the mix as well. Its purpose was to punch through thinner metal, such as car bodies.

Note: A traditional Halligan forcible entry tool is incredibly viable; it’s just large. Reach out to your local fire department or station, as they have a significant amount of expertise on forcing entry.

Developments

Over time, sharper minds have worked on this issue. They have conceived and designed purpose-built tools. More importantly, they have succeeded in getting them to market. That will put them in the hands of the road deputies, street cops, and investigators who will need them.

Enter Chris Kuras of Good Dude Concepts and their BRB – Breach and Rescue Bar.

After seeing this discussed among trusted peers and professional acquaintances, I got in on the pre-order. I bought mine at full retail; there was no expectation or inkling of me doing an article on this for them.

So, what is the BRB? A tool specifically designed for forcing entry into a vehicle for multiple reasons.

For starters, you could store it on a plate carrier without issue. Or, in the driver’s door tray of your vehicle, as opposed to somewhere in the trunk or rear cargo area of your vehicle. Dimensionally, it is 10.43” long and 3.76” at its widest. The handle, knurled on both sides for grip, is 1.01” wide. At the bottom of the handle, there is a universally shaped prybar – visually like the FUBAR, albeit smaller. At the other end, there is a glass penetrating point. Below that is a curved, serrated section advertised as (window) glass cutting serrations.

The prybar will work with both vehicles and on structures – whether wood or metal, within the limitations of the overall length.

Practical Application

I was starting to wonder when I would be able to get some hands-on time with the BRB. Fortunately, an area agency had left some shot-up vehicles on a range I frequent. Even though the dual laminate windshields were damaged from gunfire, the tops and sides were intact.

Using the glass penetrating point (or tip), I embedded it in the windshield glass. Zero issue sinking it on any of my attempts.

Once seated, the serrations in that curved section cut through all layers of the windshield as I pulled and worked it down. Had the windshield not been shot already, the ease with which I could do it would have been more noticeable. If you doubt the difficulty of regularly and successfully defeating auto glass–laminate windshields and tempered side windows, look at the FBI’s ballistic tests. Both types of glass do a number on handgun and rifle rounds. I saw that outcome in the last two OISs that happened while I was a patrol sergeant.

I did try prying the car’s doors with it. However, those locks had already been completely defeated, so that did not work out.

And, as I did, remember to wear gloves and eye protection when employing tools like this.

While this is shorter than a FUBAR, meaning that there is somewhat less capability, it is much easier to have, where it would be readily accessible. That makes it more usable.

Final Thoughts

Whether it is an active killer event, a vehicle accident, or a medical emergency, patrol cops will likely have to force entry under exigent circumstances. Quite likely, long before our brothers or sisters in the fire service are on-scene.

Take a close look at the Breach and Rescue Bar for that role.

RESOURCE:

Good Dude Breach & Rescue Bar