First Due Tackle Pass It On – Firefighter, Rescue & Extrication Training
Myself and several fellow firefighters have recently had the opportunity to review The Devil’s Claw pike pole. This tool is made by firefighters who ran into a difficult ceiling which prevented them from gaining access to the seat of the fire. Here are some of the features advertised by our brothers:
- Pull ceilings, door, window frames, floors, roof
- Heavy enough to breach walls quickly
- Created by firefighter for firefighters
- Great for self-rescue
- Available in 3 handle types; straight, D-handle, T-hande
When we first pulled the tool (8′ straight handle) out of the shipping package, my first thought was to see how strong the tool really is, so a 3/4″ piece of OSB was placed over a drain hole in the apparatus bay floor. It was relatively easy to breach the OSB and most importantly the tool held strong. The Devil’s Claw performed better in this first test than other tools.
Next, a weight comparison should very little difference when compared to other hooks with similar length and material.
Next, we were able to pull some trim around windows and doors at an acquired structure with great ease. This led into discussion about using the Devil’s Claw as an anchor point for a window bail-out. Although, we didn’t try it I am confident that vertical or angled placement would provide an adequate anchor as seen in the picture to the left in a training tower.
Next, we thought to use the Devil’s Claw at a recent firefighter survival class in a simulation where two firefighters had to pull the victim down a narrow hallway. With the 8′ pole, the rescuers were able to hook into the DRD on the victim’s turnout gear and move quickly in a single file line.
Finally, the true test was to use the Devil’s Claw in a situation similar to the motivation behind the design. We ended up using it in an old farm house that had a second story ceiling consisting of three layers including; panelling, drywall, and plaster & lath. The pictures from this test are pretty blurred out because of all the dust, but the tool ripped into the three layers of material quickly and pulled down large sections.
Recommendations:
It is difficult to keep track of the claw orientation, so I took a grinder to the handle and put a notch on the claw side that I could feel with a gloved hand.
Overall, the Devil’s Claw is a versatile tool, but especially useful when searching for fire or overhauling. No gimmick here, just a mean firefighting tool that works.
Watch the video about the Devil’s Claw here or call 405-659-0114 or 580-618-4841 for more information.
Pass it on!
