Which powered rescue tools can cut almost any metal object that fits between the blades and blades that typically have an opening of 7 inches?

• A. Shears
• B. Cutters
• C. Jaws of Life
• D. Angle grinders

Answer: (A)

Powered rescue tools that cut by pinching material between two blades rely on a blade pair that can open wide enough to accept the object being cut. Rescue shears are designed to do this quickly and with a compact, scissors-like action, and their jaw opening is large—about seven inches on many models—so they can place a wide range of metal objects between the blades and cut them away. This makes them exceptionally versatile for rapidly freeing trapped victims or removing metal obstructions in tight spaces.

Angle grinders, while capable of cutting metal, are not ideal for fast extrication due to safety concerns, debris and dust, and less control in confined scenes. Cutters and the Jaws of Life cover other specialized tasks or configurations, but the specific capability described—cutting across a broad range of metal objects that fit between blades with a substantial opening—is most characteristic of shears.