What should be attempted before prying in forcible entry?

• A. Try before you pry
• B. Pry immediately
• C. Drill the door
• D. Force the door

Answer: (A)

Before prying a door, try safer, less destructive options first. This means checking if the door is simply unlocked, using a proper knob or latch, or applying gentle pressure to see if it will open without damage. The idea is to quickly determine if entry can be gained with minimal force, which reduces damage to the door and frame, lowers risk to occupants and firefighters, and keeps the scene safer and more controlled. Only after those attempts fail should you move to more invasive methods.

Prying immediately skips those checks and can cause unnecessary damage and delay. Drilling the door is a more invasive option and is not the default first step; it’s used only in specific circumstances where other methods won’t work or aren’t appropriate. Forcing the door is the most aggressive action and should be reserved for when safer options have been tried and when the situation and policy allow it.