A technique that has been around for many years is the use of a soft sponge ball or half a tennis ball, to assist with door opening techniques, where the door is jammed shut from impact damage.

The application is to use a sponge ball or half a tennis ball to hold open either the outer or inner door handle, this will put the burst proof lock, in the unlatched position, enabling the door in most cases to pop open with ease and will hopefully prevent the door from tearing apart around the lock mechanism. Now this will not work all the time, but is a very simple tool to make our life as rescuers a bit easier and ending in a quicker conclusion.

This technique can also be used in the same manner to assist with the opening of the tailgate.

This is a very cost effective piece of equipment that can easily be purchased from petty cash and stowed on the appliance.