Where should rescuers begin their cuts on a windshield?

Where should rescuers begin their cuts on a windshield?

• A. Center, passenger side
• B. Middle, driver side
• C. Top edge
• D. Bottom edge near the dash

Answer: (B)

When you cut a windshield, the aim is to create a controlled, predictable opening that lets you access the patient without letting shards drive into the interior or injure rescuers. Starting in the middle of the windshield gives you a stable, central point from which to guide the fracture, so you can form two manageable panels rather than a random, jagged break. Beginning on the driver’s side specifically aligns with where you typically approach and where you’ll need the quickest interior access to the patient. From that center point, you can cut toward the edges and swing the panels outward toward the open side, keeping the dash and interior components clear and reducing the chance of glass shattering back into the vehicle. If you were to start at an edge or corner, the glass often cracks unpredictably, which can hamper removal and increase risk to both the patient and the rescuers.

When you cut a windshield, the aim is to create a controlled, predictable opening that lets you access the patient without letting shards drive into the interior or injure rescuers. Starting in the middle of the windshield gives you a stable, central point from which to guide the fracture, so you can form two manageable panels rather than a random, jagged break.

Beginning on the driver’s side specifically aligns with where you typically approach and where you’ll need the quickest interior access to the patient. From that center point, you can cut toward the edges and swing the panels outward toward the open side, keeping the dash and interior components clear and reducing the chance of glass shattering back into the vehicle.

If you were to start at an edge or corner, the glass often cracks unpredictably, which can hamper removal and increase risk to both the patient and the rescuers.