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#280370 - 04/18/16 07:24 PM Car head rest as a window-breaking tool???
Bingley Offline
Veteran

Registered: 02/27/08
Posts: 1576
I saw this statement on Facebook:

Quote:
The headrest of car seats is deliberately kept detachable and sharp so that it could be used to break open the glass of car in case of fire and emergency. The car's glass too are kept easily breakable from inside. Very few people know about it and thus can't save themselves in case of emergencies.


This seems like nonsense to me. What do you think?

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#280372 - 04/18/16 07:37 PM Re: Car head rest as a window-breaking tool??? [Re: Bingley]
Bingley Offline
Veteran

Registered: 02/27/08
Posts: 1576
Alright, this video (in Japanese) shows a technique -- you use the headrest as a pry bar, not as a punch. I think the video is clear enough that you don't need to know Japanese to understand what's going on. The most important part begins around 0:24.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZTa8Nh0VlE

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#280373 - 04/18/16 07:41 PM Re: Car head rest as a window-breaking tool??? [Re: Bingley]
M_a_x Offline
Veteran

Registered: 08/16/02
Posts: 1203
Loc: Germany
If it were true, it would at least be mentioned in the manuals (which very few people actually read).
It might be possible to use it but Iīd rather rely on my Resqme. The bulk of the headrest is going to make it awkward at least.
_________________________
If it isnīt broken, it doesnīt have enough features yet.

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#280377 - 04/18/16 09:12 PM Re: Car head rest as a window-breaking tool??? [Re: M_a_x]
hikermor Offline
Geezer in Chief
Geezer

Registered: 08/26/06
Posts: 7705
Loc: southern Cal
Nothing to this effect in either of our car manuals (1914 Prius and 2005 Sentra) and I have read through both of them, with particular emphasis on the section on safety. There is nothing in either manual about using the headrest as an escape tool. This sounds like sliced baloney to me...Why would anyone develop a safety feature and then not mention it?

In real world terms, how significant would such a feature be. How often would one be able to use such a feature?
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Geezer in Chief

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#280378 - 04/18/16 09:24 PM Re: Car head rest as a window-breaking tool??? [Re: Bingley]
roberttheiii Offline
Enthusiast

Registered: 02/13/09
Posts: 393
Loc: Connecticut, USA
There is no way it would be addressed in your 1914 Prius manual. Printing costs were simply too high to address every feature that came with the automobile at the time. Sadly, all the designers have died, otherwise I'd have suggested you contact the company directly to inquire.

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#280379 - 04/18/16 09:37 PM Re: Car head rest as a window-breaking tool??? [Re: roberttheiii]
Russ Offline
Geezer

Registered: 06/02/06
Posts: 5357
Loc: SOCAL
The 1914 Prius was definitely ahead of its time, but did it even have head-rests? wink

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#280383 - 04/18/16 09:55 PM Re: Car head rest as a window-breaking tool??? [Re: Russ]
hikermor Offline
Geezer in Chief
Geezer

Registered: 08/26/06
Posts: 7705
Loc: southern Cal
Time blurs when you reach geezerdom! how about 2014 Prius? The owner's manual for the 1914 Prius is a rare collector'site.... Footnote: in 1914, electric cars (but not the Toyota Prius) were surprisingly common.


Edited by hikermor (04/19/16 12:22 AM)
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#280387 - 04/18/16 11:57 PM Re: Car head rest as a window-breaking tool??? [Re: Bingley]
Bingley Offline
Veteran

Registered: 02/27/08
Posts: 1576
I think hikermor has outed himself as Marty McFly...

I was unaware of the pry bar method for breaking the window. Another use for the small pry bar that we all carry around! Hurray for this simple, versatile tool!

PS. I didn't know about electric cars in the early 20th century. Holy cow! How did we miss that technology??? I prefer quiet cars with less pollution.

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#280388 - 04/19/16 12:26 AM Re: Car head rest as a window-breaking tool??? [Re: Bingley]
haertig Offline
Pooh-Bah

Registered: 03/13/05
Posts: 2322
Loc: Colorado
I doubt that headrests were intentionally made to be window smashers. However, it might be worth a try to use one of the metal prongs for that task. It would be unwieldy, but it might work. A sharp impact strike in a small area will easily break out a car side window (nor the windshield though).

In all my years as a paramedic, I never saw glass broken out by a head rest. By heads, yes, but head rests, no.

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#280390 - 04/19/16 02:00 AM Re: Car head rest as a window-breaking tool??? [Re: Bingley]
chaosmagnet Offline
Sheriff
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 12/03/09
Posts: 3819
Loc: USA
Wouldn't work in my car. Might in my wife's. Both cars have rescue knives with carbide glass breakers secured low on the driver's door.

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