Here are top 3 tips:
1. Do not fight the tool. Some rescuers tried to stop the movement of the tool (during cutting/spreading) and attempting to use their body weight to fight against it. Relax and let the tool do the work. It prevents fatigue and makes your job much easier.
2. Working above waist height. When working above waist height, invert the tool and support it from below. It is much easier than holding the tool from above.
3. Completing a cut using spreaders. This is a great way of reducing the time it takes to cut through wide C pillars. Make your initial cut and use your spreaders to ‘tear’ the remaining construction. This allows the cutter to move on to the next pillar, reducing time.
It is great to know that these simple steps were used during the competition, actually making tool use easier, safer and quicker.
It is important to look at how you use tools and identify ways of making your job easier by being more efficient.