Escaping from Handcuffs

[heisey22]

I used to train pilots in my squadron how to escape from handcuffs. We also did it for fun in between flights over Iraq.

1. Keep a hair pin on your watchband so it is always acessible to your hands. Your glow-stick pouch on your flightsuit (on your inner theigh) is okay too.

2. Once handcuffed, straighten hair pin to an L shape.

3. Determine if the lock pin has been set. If the handcuff can tighten, it isn't and you are 5 seconds away from freedom. If set, go to step 6.

4. Slide the pin into the slot that the handcuff arm swings into. Either direction will work, but inserting WITH the direction of swing is best.

5. Once the pin separates the swing arm from the cog, the cuff will open.

6. To unset the lockpin, the last centimeter of the hairpin needs to be bent slightly. It should then be inserted into the handcuff keyhole in an upward direction. Inside the hole's top, there is a cam that needs to shift towards the center about 1/16. You need to SCRAPE it over with the hairpin's edge. You know you did it when the cuff can tighten. Then, go back to step 4.

My wardroom had a blast with this. We ranked the different levels as:
1. PNS (Pin not set), handcuffed in front.
2. PNS, handcuffed behind the back
3. PNS, tightely handcuffed behind
4. Pins set in front
5. Set, arms behind the back
6. Set behind ultra tight

For those of you who have never been cuffed, a tight cuff will pinch you nerve and send sheer pain up your body. The first time someone tries level 6, it takes between 10-45 minutes, causes a good amount of sweat (from pain), and a lot of humor to a group of navy pilots.

Tips:
-Keep your arms stationary, focus on the fingers (to reduce pain)
-A beginner can step through cuffs to see his work or kneel down and see between his legs, but an intermediate should be able to do all behind the back.
-You only have to work to get 1 side off, the second side is easy.

I believe all combatants and police officers should be proficient at this easy and fun skill. Escape from a No-pin-set handcuff takes me 3 seconds., a level 6 may take me about 1-3 minutes.

Time is not on your side if you are rolled in Iraq and don't want to star in a decapitation video. Escape at you first opportunity as it may be your last.

[unbreakable]

Thanks for the post, thats one well written out guide!

Some pics would be nice if you have a camera,

Nonetheless, a Great job, thanks for sharing!
And, seeing as this is only your second post, welcome to the site!


Unbreakable

[TOWCH]

Sweet deal. I didn't realize you could pop deadlocks like that. Just tried it and it works like a charm. Thanks for the tip.

[stlbolt]

Wow thats pretty sweet, I want to get a pair of handcuffs now to try this out

[jasontimmer]

there's another technique for opening cuffs besides shimming, which involves basically picking the lock. this can be done just as quickly as shimming. do a search for cut-away handcuffs or other diagrams on the cuffs mechanism. you'll be able to see how easy it would be to insert a feeler pick or other slightly bent, stiff wire. insert it into the keyway and push in one direction to disengage the double-locking mechanism, and the other way to pull the locking mechanism away from the teeth on the swinging bar. the following link might give you a better idea of what you're doing. http://www.lockpickshop.com/p-CLEAR-CUFF.html

[darrel.h]

I normally carry a handcuff key hidden in my belt. Anyways, anyone been cuffed before?

[unbreakable]

Like this darrel.h?

Pretty neat I think.

[darrel.h]

Actually it is sewn on the back of my belt.

[dmux]

yea but now a days, they use zip ties.


pick a zip tie!

[UWSDWF]

not really unless your the victim of a operator in the middle east...

I've been handcuffed and I have handcuffed, only the later of the twois fun....

[jasontimmer]

yeah I've been cuffed, didn't know how to open them at the time and didn't have a good reason to anyway!

[jasontimmer]

cuff picking is kinda neat to know, but really, your chances of ever being in a situation where it would be a good idea to use it are 1 in a million unless you're in the military. i was arrested for driving with a license that was suspended for a previous speeding violation. there would have been no point in picking the cuffs and making a daring escape. i paid a $50 fine and spent a couple months on unsupervised probation.

[Stray]

Now my only question is by hair clip you mean bobby pin right? , because my S&W's wont let me shim with one, its too thick, just jams up the cuff... also i've only seen one size of pin so, maybe you have thinner ones there...

[Lucky1406]

Well, after reading all of these posts on picking handcuffs, I decided to go out and buy a set and see how hard it would be to pick. Note, these cuffs are double locking, but I'm not sure on the brand. I'm ordering some new tactical cuffs from ebay, So maybe I'll be having a new video of that out soon as well. This was just a quick video, But I thought that maybe y'all might enjoy it. I have been able to pick these from behind my back in under 20 sec. Its rather hard because they dont have chain links like most cuffs have. I figure normal ones will be a lot easier than these are. But we'll just have to wait and see when my new set arrives. and while your at it, If you want a good laugh, look at my second video. You'll have to search for it under my name, But its of me trying to do a video of how to get out of cuffs, But I drop the pick, all rather amusing. Also, I couldn't grap the pick off of the floor. lol. Let me know what y'all think

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCN4aGwz084

[digital_blue]

I have been cuffed probably hundreds of times (as part of a magic routine). To date, I've only been cuffed once by an actual police officer, and that was done as an escape challenge.

I escaped.

db