3 Ways to Break Free from Handcuffs

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

We hope you have never found yourself held back against your will, but if you happen to be in such a situation, you will be delighted to know some effective escape strategies. The regular law enforcement handcuffs and more recently, the plastic laces, can both be rendered ineffective in seconds if you know what you are doing. Read on to learn how to escape from traditional or plastic handcuffs.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Open Normal Handcuffs with an Improvised Key

Step 1. Find a piece of wire

You probably don't have a key in your pocket, unless you're devising an escape as a magic trick. No problem; you can create an improvised one with many materials similar to iron wire. Look for one of the following items:

• A paperclip. This is probably the simplest item to make a key out of, and the easiest to get hold of. Straighten it so you can use it as a key.

  

• A hairpin. Again you will need to straighten it before you can use it. If it has a plastic cover, remove it before using it.
• A stiff piece of wire.

Step 2. Put the key in the lock

Find the lock on the handcuffs and insert the straight piece of iron into it.

Step 3. Fold the key

With the iron in the lock, bend it about 70 degrees.

Step 4. Now fold it to the other side

Put the iron back in the hole and fold it again. You should get a wave-shaped corner.

Step 5. Insert the key into the lock

Find the hole again and swing the folded part inside it, so that it faces the locking arm. It should be at a 90 ° angle from the lock.

Step 6. Turn the key and open the throttles

Just as you would a regular wrench, turn the piece of iron. It should lift the locking mechanism and open the cuffs.

• You may have to try to turn the key in both directions before you can open the throttles. Be patient.

  

• If you are trying to open the handcuffs with your hands behind your back, be very careful not to drop the key.

  

Method 2 of 3: Open Normal Handcuffs with a Wedge

Step 1. Find a flat piece of metal

You can use a pen clip or another small, flat, thin piece of metal for this purpose. It should be almost as thin as a credit card, and narrow enough to fit into the locking mechanism of the handcuffs. This piece of metal is called a wedge.

Step 2. Insert the wedge between the locking mechanism and the tooth

Slide it into the locking mechanism so that it slides against the tooth; in practice you will have to insert it into the cuffs along the edge.

Step 3. Squeeze the cuffs one notch

Do not remove the wedge at this stage.

Step 4. Push the wedge and open the cuffs

Do this while tightening the handcuffs. These should open up.

Method 3 of 3: Open Plastic Handcuffs

Step 1. Tighten the closure

For this method to work, the cuffs will need to be as tight as possible. This will make it easier to break them. Whether your hands are tied in front of you or behind you, pull the head of the cuffs to tighten them.

Step 2. Position the clasp between the wrists

- The lock is the weakest point of the cuffs, and in order to open them, it must be in this central position.

Step 3. Hit the belly or buttocks with the lock

Do this using a quick, firm motion, on your stomach if you have your hands tied in front or against your buttocks if you have your hands tied behind your back. The closure should break due to the impact.

• Spread your elbows on impact. This will put even more pressure on the closure.

  

• Let your hands bounce off the body. Your goal is not to hit yourself as hard as possible. Instead of pushing your hands into the body, let them bounce after impact.