Two-Man Room Clearing

Room clearing is a task that should always be left up to the professionals due to how difficult the task is and how high the cost of mistakes can be. That said, we at GunSpot enjoy learning and asking ourselves the occasional “what if?” As long as the scenario isn’t too outlandish thinking, though, it doesn’t cause any true harm or waste brain power.

In this video post, we decided to pose the question of how to properly clear a home operation with a team of only two men total who are familiar with the home layout. Chief Instructor, Grant LaVelle of Maximum Life Expectancy gives us step-by-step instructions on a two man room-clearing tactical strategy. For the sake of this scenario, we decided that we are unaware if there is any clear and present danger within the home.

First, Contact Law Enforcement

If you do pull into your driveway and notice that your home has been broken into, and if you have the luxury of being able to wait because you know for a fact there are no family members in the home, we advise you to call the authorities and wait outside at a safe distance. Even if you enter the home, you should notify the authorities that there is a break-in and that you are present. While on the phone with the police, describe what you look like and your clothing. This can alleviate any mix-ups with law enforcement officers on who is the real threat and who is not.

The Two-Man Room Clearing Technique

Once entering the home, a team of two would work just like a larger clearing team except with fewer people. Both individuals will stack to make entries for every threshold, with the first man entering and making his way to the first corner and the second man entering and making his way to the far corner.

As each man progresses to the corner, the second he is sure there is no threat in the corner, each man begins to turn his vision from the corner, scanning back to the opposite side to clear the room through all angles. In this way, each man who started moving toward opposite corners will have their lines of sight crossed, making doubly sure no immediate threat is present.

When reading these instructions, it can sound as if the process is slow, but that should hardly be the case. Each individual works as quickly as possible to clear their corner and scan, but at the same time, never compromising thoroughness.

Silent Communication is Key

As a two-man team progresses through every door, this is the exact same method used. They stack and make entries, each taking a corner to dominate the room. The second man in the stack makes the decision to make an entry; Grant suggests from his time in SWAT that the best way to signal to the number one man that you are indeed ready to make an entry is to place a hand on his shoulder and, when ready, squeeze very firmly. This method is best because it can’t be mistaken. Methods like taps can be easily mistaken, and for the entry to be effective, team member movement must be in unison and at speed.

Grant teaches that vocalizations and any extra noise should be kept to an absolute minimum, always assuming you have the element of surprise. For this reason, Grant suggests not opening doors so as not to alert threats. He suggests quietly clearing what you can first and then start methodically clearing the home and opening doors. With any luck, you will remain under the radar, and you might even hear the intruder if they are still present, putting you at an advantage.

Learn More about Two Man Room Clearing

To receive the rest of the detailed instructions covered by Grant on two-man room clearing tactics, like how to proceed through closed doors or clear a staircase, watch the full video in this blog post.