Jared S. lives in Texas with his family.
One morning, he stopped at an H-E-B grocery store.
But after getting out of the car, he realized he accidentally locked his keys in the car with his baby.
The outside temperature was already 105 degrees and getting hotter.
A bystander who witnessed the incident grabbed a crowbar from his vehicle and ran over to help.
The man began hitting the windshield of the vehicle in an attempt to break it open to gain access to the vehicle.
After unsuccessfully breaking the windshield, the man gave the crowbar to another individual who began smashing the windshield as hard as he could.
He was able to create a hole in the windshield big enough to fit his hand through to reach the door lock.
But the door still didn’t open.
So, the man started beat on the windshield again to create a larger hole.
He was finally able to create a hole in the windshield big enough for a female to climb through.
The female was able to grab the baby and hand her to the father through the hole in the windshield.
Now, you might be wondering why the woman didn’t just unlock the car doors.
It turns out the vehicle locks had jammed. So, there was no way to open any of the doors.
In other words, if it hadn’t been for the crowbar, who knows how long it would have taken for them to force their way into the car?
Local law enforcement said the incident was entirely an accident and said the baby was checked by medical personnel and was unharmed.
A police official said, “I commend the father for his actions. As a parent, I can understand the urgency of removing his child quickly from the vehicle.”
I’m sure you probably have gear that you keep in your trunk, maybe things like tools, and some survival gear like a bug out bag.
But a prybar or crowbar might not be part of that gear.
However, in an emergency like the one above, having the right gear – specifically a prybar or crowbar – could make a big difference.
What is a prybar or a crowbar?:
A prybar and a crowbar are very similar.
They’re long metal rods with curved ends that usually taper to a point, which allows the end to fit into tight spaces.
The other end of the bar usually has a flat edge that can be used for leverage.
Both are tools that are used for prying and lifting objects, but a prybar is usually shorter and smaller.
These bars can serve many different purposes and are commonly found in construction and demolition.
Benefits of a prybar or crowbar for survival:
One of the best things about these tools is that they are versatile.
They can be used for opening, lifting, breaking, and digging.
For instance, if you experienced a disaster these bars could be used in search efforts to find people who are lost.
Another good thing about the tools is that there is little chance of failure.
So, if you buy a quality bar it will be able to handle many different tasks.
The reason these bars are so useful is because they are designed to be effective using leverage.
So, if you are trying to open a jammed door or move a heavy object these tools can give you the leverage to do it.
Lastly, the bars can be used as a self-defense tool. Of course, they wouldn’t be my first choice.
But if it was all you had, you could cause a lot of hurt to a criminal with a prybar or a crowbar.
Drawbacks to a prybar or a crowbar in survival situations:
The main issue with using these tools during an emergency is that they are big and bulky.
They are less portable than other tools, and you likely won’t have one in your backpack.
Another drawback to the tools is that they require strength to use.
For instance, if you are going to use the leverage of the bar you will need the physical ability to apply pressure.
Lastly, these bars are not designed to cut.
So, they have limitations and wouldn’t be useful for cutting wood or similar situations.
However, if you are looking for a prybar or a crowbar, here are a few to check out:
TradeUnderlay Mini Crowbar:
The TradeUnderlay is a small, compact crowbar that’s just ten inches long.
It can fit into small places and is easy to carry in a backpack.
It’s made from heat-treated steel alloy for its durability.
Estwing Gooseneck Wrecking Bar:
The Estwing has an angled neck that is perfect for demolition since it provides greater leverage when prying things open.
It’s made of forged steel and sells for about $20.
Zenith Industries Trim Puller:
This is a more unique type of prybar because of its small size and handle.
It’s originally designed for removing trim and molding. It has a curved neck and a 36-inch handle.
While these tools are not a priority for a bug out bag, they could be incredibly useful survival gear that you can easily store in a basement or car trunk.
