Okay, it's inevitable: I go to a show, be it SHOT, TREXPO or some other event and I get inundated with press releases, CDs, etc full of information about why a particular product is simply the neatest thing since swiss cheese. I spend time sorting through all that JUNK and end up with some stuff that I actually want to test. When I was at TREXPO East this year I came across the CLIMB Assist and was curious about how effective and valuable a tool it could be. I made arrangements for my local SWAT guys to get one (since they'd use it way more than I would) and the testing began.
Before I get into their thoughts and testing, let me give you some particulars about the tool. Invented by a 26-year police veteran, the CLIMB Assist is, for all intents and purposes, a portable ladder specifically meant to get you over wrought-iron fences or up and over other barrier walls commonly found around private properties. The challenge we police officers face is that many of those private properties are bought (or rented) by folks who make their money in some illegal fashion... a fashion we end up invetigating and then getting charges against them for... and then the warrant that our SWAT team has to serve.
The CLIMB Asssit is made from lightweight aluminum because we already carry enough stuff, and it's construction keeps the total weight under 16 pounds. Now I know 16 pounds isn't the same as a spare cup of coffee but it's a LOT better than a 25 pound ladder or the weight of cutting tools required to get through wrought iron. Knowing what the average full-size guy weighs (some of the bigger ones are pushing 300 pounds) and how much weight they carry in gear (some folks are pushing 70 pounds that I know of) the designers made sure that the CLIMB Assist was strong enough to support more than 500 pounds. That's more than 500 pounds on each STEP. The hook at the top was tested to support more than 700 pounds so, theoretically, you could have a guy on either side of this thing and it wouldn't drop them.
Now those design features are obvious and we'd expect anyone to include them. There are a few more that only a cop would think of:
- The contact points are rubberized to minimize noise. Not like we ever want to sneak up on people, right?
- Length was limited to make sure it would fit into the trunk of an average patrol car.
- Feature allows it to be handcuffed to the fence once it's in place - to prevent theft if it's not guarded
Listed as accessories for the CLIMB Assist, but obviously important to have, are the Spike Cap (to cover those pointy sharp things the top of fences) and the Carrying Case (um, duh).
Now, one of the thoughts I had, and questions I had to ask at TREXPO East was, "What if the team is trying to retreat under fire? How many rounds will the CLIMB Assist take and not fail? What about critical points?" The good folks at CLIMB Assist not only took that as a serious question, it peaked their own interest and curiosity as well. So when I saw them at IACP earlier this month they had a CLIMB Assist on display that they had taken to the range and shot the heck out of to test it. It hadn't failed. They had shot it with several different types of ammo including a 12g slug, .45ACP, 9mm and others. Holes yes; failure no. They even attempted to shoot the bolts that hold on the steps because that was viewed as a potentially vulnerable spot for failure from being shot. Nope; it still didn't fail.
So, back to the local SWAT guys who were kind enough to field test one of these things for me. I had the chance to talk the to team commander about it and his comment was, "Yeah, it's a good tool. It'd be of higher value in an urban area where there are lots of fences." (we live in a predominantly rural county)
Like any new tool that a team uses, it takes some training and familiarization. There is a time frame wherein the new "piece of kit" has to become accepted in the user's mind before it will be included in the user's planning. The upside to the CLIMB Assist is that it can be assigned, trained on once or twice and then left in the trunk, van or APC. It's a simple tool that doesn't require annual recertification or refresher training. The average street cop could benefit from it just as amuch as a specialized team.
Take a look around your patrol area; check out the neighborhoods as you drive around in them. How many fences do you see? How about at the local schools where Active Shooter incidents may occur? You never know what your approach will have to be. I view the CLIMB Assist as one of those tools that it's better to have and not need than to need and not have. Sure, you can find another way over that fence. Will it be as quick and as safe? Think about it!
Stay Safe!
