You are on page 1of 18

Section 20 - Vehicle Extrication

VEHICLE EXTRICATION

INTRODUCTION

Southern California's highly mobile life-style and its magnificent freeway system are the natural setting for an abundance of vehicular accidents. From major, multivehicle smash-ups to minor fenderbenders, firefighters are called upon to extricate victims and render aid in a variety of situations. Appropriate scene management as well as competent, efficient use of rescue tools and techniques are vital to the success of the rescue effort. Confidence in one's ability to effectively use various pieces of rescue equipment comes with practice and experience; with this in mind, firefighters should avail themselves of every opportunity to hone their vehicle extrication skills. Safety must be of paramount importance in all rescue operations, as firefighters must be part of the solution to the extrication emergency and not part of the problem.

OBJECTIVES

Describe initial steps to be taken upon arrival at the scene of a vehicle accident. Describe methods of and safety precautions related to: a. b. c. Forcing entry through doors. Removal of a windshield or other auto glass. Folding a sheet metal roof back to gain access to the interior of the vehicle. Removal of steering wheel, dash, or foot pedals from vicinity of a victim.

d.

20 - 1

Section 20 - Vehicle Extrication

Describe air bag usage and safety procedures.

SCENE MANAGEMENT

Arrival At Scene Upon arrival at scene, stop apparatus uphill and upwind of the incident. If police officers are not at scene and are needed, request them through F.C.C.. If on a freeway, it will be important to place the apparatus so that it affords protection to the firefighters, ambulance crew, and victims. Stop far enough back to allow room for the ambulance and consider rescue rig placement. If the incident is off the freeway traffic lanes, place the apparatus off the freeway but still in a position to protect the crews. Size-Up Begin sizing up the situation as soon as it can be seen. Report on conditions, and request additional equipment and services. Initiate traffic control; consider hazards such as downed electrical wires, fuel, unstable vehicle, fire, underground electrical, hazardous cargo, debris, etc. For accidents occurring at night, position vehicles to use lights for scene illumination; if necessary, use portable flood lights or request Light and Air. Check the area. Account for all victims in all vehicles and order additional ambulances as needed. Scene Protection Prepare for the possibility of fire by laying two hose lines, a working line and a backup line. Engage pumps and have foam systems and a dry chemical extinguisher ready for use. Use caution in placing traffic flares, keeping them as far away as practical. Remind police officers of the fire danger. Use traffic cones and banner guard to your advantage when necessary. Flammable Liquid Control Stop or control any leaking flammable liquids. Warn everyone about sparks and fire danger. Turn off the vehicle ignition. Disconnect the vehicle battery starting with the ground terminal. In the event of a large spill request Haz Mat through F.C.C. describing the nature and quantity of the spill. Rescue Team Rescuers should plan their operation. Rescuers should use available personnel to make a check of all victims. If a large number, set up triage areas, and consider calling for a medical strike team. Rescuers should triage and treat injured victims according to first aid priorities. Whenever a victim is trapped inside or under a vehicle, extrication will be required. The rescuers must determine whether the rescue can be performed with the

20 - 2

Section 20 - Vehicle Extrication

resources available or if additional resources must be ordered. Identifying Airbag-Equipped Vehicles If the bag has deployed, it can be seen drooping from the steering wheel hub or the instrument panel on the passenger side. If the bag did not deploy, the presence of an airbag can be determined in several ways. The steering wheel hub is large and rectangular and covered with a scored, soft plastic material. The words Supplemental Inflatable Restraint, Air Bag, or initials such as S.I.R., or SRS may be embossed on the surface. In most cases, the vehicle identification number (VIN) can be used to determine the presence of an airbag. Some manufacturers place placards under the hood or on the drivers side windshield pillar. If unable to determine whether the car is equipped with an airbag, assume that it is so-equipped and follow rescue guidelines for airbag cars. For vehicle rescues involving a deployed airbag use normal rescue procedures and equipment. Do not delay medical attention. Deployed airbags are not dangerous, but they do produce a dust which may cause minor skin or eye irritation. Gloves and eye protection should be worn. Keep the dust away from the victims eyes and wounds. Remember to wash hands after exposure to the dust (usually corn starch or talcum powder). Vehicle Rescue with an Undeployed Airbag An undeployed airbag is unlikely to deploy after a crash. Most incidents will not require rescuers to work in what would be the deployment path of the airbag (nor should they place themselves or any objects on the airbag module or in its deployment path); therefore, rescue operations can begin without delay. In those rare incidents where a victim is pinned directly behind an undeployed airbag, special procedures should be followed: Disconnect or cut both battery cables, using approved methods. If circumstances permit, wait for the system to become fully deactivated before attempting to remove the victim. Do not mechanically cut through or displace the steer ing column until the system has been deactivated. Do not cut or drill into the airbag module. Do not apply heat to the area of the steering wheel hub.

Stabilization Stabilize the vehicle in the position it was found. If a vehicle is on its wheels set the emergency brake, and place the transmission in gear. The objective is to increase the area of contact with the ground as much as possible. Do not roll a vehicle back over, push or shove back onto wheels or the rest of the way over. Stabilize in place using

20 - 3

Section 20 - Vehicle Extrication

whatever material is available, Occasionally, a vehicle will be over an embankment and/or other complications. This may require cribbing, shoring, attaching chains and ropes, use of a winch, but the rule remains the same - STABILIZE BEFORE ENTRY OR EXTRICATION. A safety officer should be assigned to watch for any signs of vehicle movement during rescue.

Stabilizing with cribbingand Come-along

Stabilizing with rope and truckers hitch

20 - 4

Section 20 - Vehicle Extrication

In general, access to the interior of the vehicle should be considered in the following order: 1. 2. 3. Through the doors. Through the windows. Through the body of the vehicle.

In a collision, especially in newer vehicles, safety regulations have called for construction of doors that will not fly open. Because of this feature, rescuers are finding more and more incidents where entry into a vehicle requires force. However, in most accidents both doors are seldom damaged severely and entry may be accomplished by simply opening the opposite door (TRY BEFORE YOU PRY). Attempt to pry the jammed doors with hand pry tools. But if doors cannot be opened without the use of the jaws, immediate life-or death entry may be made by crawling through a window. In most accident situations entry through a window can generally be made quickly and with little difficulty, especially if any of the windows have been broken at the time of impact. Before any glass is broken, rescuers should ensure that the victim is adequately protected from flying particles of glass by covering with a rescue blanket or debris carrier. Whenever possible, break the window farthest from the victims in order to prevent glass shards from reaching them. Opening/Removing Automobile Doors To open a jammed door, work the doors sheet metal away from the separation of door and body at the midpoint of the door, Using pry bars, halligan tool and sledge hammers, attempt to work alongside the latching mechanism (usually the midpoint of the door). If a door does not open to prying efforts, it is probably because the doors safety mechanism (commonly known as a Nader Pin) is doing its job. There is a solid steel bolt which engages a corresponding receptacle when the door is closed. This system prevents the door from flying open in a crash. If the bolt is engaged, it will be necessary to force the bolt mechanism open with power tools. To open a door with the power spreaders (Amkus or Holmatro), look for a gap large enough to fit the jaw tips between the rear portion of the door and the car body. If this gap is not wide enough to position the tips, open the jaws, grab the door from the top and pinch the door approximately 6 inches in front of the latching mechanism. This will create a gap for the jaw tips.

20 - 5

Section 20 - Vehicle Extrication

Grab the door from the top and pinch ahead of the latch. Insert the spreader tips at the midpoint of the door and spread the door from the latch. Force the opening with the jaws until the latch pin releases. A second rescuer should act as a safety monitor and assist the operator. The assistant should position his/her body on the door to prevent the door from swinging open uncontrollably when the latch releases. The assistant should use extreme caution not to put any portion of his/her body between the tool and the door, or the door and the ground. After opening the door, additional room can be achieved by manually forcing the door slowly forward. Position your back against the door and use your legs to push. When the door cannot be forced forward manually the come-a-long can be used to pull the door open. If forcing the door is ineffective, or a larger opening is needed, removing the door may be called for. In most cases it is quicker to remove the door than to force the door out of the way. The hinges can be forced with the spreaders from the inside or outside of the door, depending on accessibility. Force the top hinge first, then the bottom hinge. Forcing the bottom hinge, with the jaws just above it, will cause the door to be forced into the ground and not into the air when the hinge breaks. A second rescuer should hold onto the door to prevent it from flying uncontrollably when the hinge breaks.

20 - 6

Section 20 - Vehicle Extrication

Forcing upper hinge

Forcing bottom hinge

Forcing upper hinge from top

Automotive Glass Removal Two kinds of glass are used in motor vehicle windows: laminated and tempered. Both kinds are safety glass. However, each one has a different breaking characteristic that influences the manner of removal at an accident scene. Laminated glass is composed of two sheets of glass bonded to a sheet of transparent plastic at high temperature and pressure. Laminated glass is most often used for automobile windshields. Plate glass subjected to a special tempering, or hardening process is called tempered glass. This type of glass is extremely tough and break- resistant. Tempered glass is used for the side and rear windows of passenger cars. Even if the window is broken carefully, there will be some glass particles that will fall, creating a potential hazard for rescuers and victims. When rescuers perform glass removal, they must be completely protected with a helmet, turnout gear, eye protection, and gloves. Whenever possible, cover the victim with a debris carrier or disposable blanket for protection from flying glass. When breaking tempered glass, strike a lower corner close to the body or frame with a sharp-pointed tool. Considerable force will be needed to break the window. A good technique is to strike the glass increasingly harder until it breaks. If just enough force is used to break the glass, the spraying of particles from the break area is minimal, and there is less tendency for the entire window to fall out. Those pieces of glass which do fall out will fall straight down, into the door or between the door and the seat.

20 - 7

Section 20 - Vehicle Extrication

If the glass is broken carefully, there will be a small hole made in the window. With a gloved hand you can remove handfuls of glass and drop it into a salvage bucket. All of the glass should be removed. When possible prior to breaking the window, cover the glass with duct tape to reduce the hazards of flying glass particles. After breaking the glass the rescuer can remove the duct tape and glass together. Breaking a laminated windshield can be difficult. Before attempting to cut the windshield, rescuers should ensure that the persons in the vehicle are adequately protected from flying pieces of glass. It may be possible to spread a rescue blanket or disposable blanket over the victims face and head to prevent injuries from glass particles. Removing a windshield may best be accomplished using a pry axe. Using the pick head of the axe, make a hole about midpoint at the top of the windshield. Make the hole large enough for the serrated head of the axe to enter. Make short pulls, moving the axe up and down over the serration. Cut the windshield at the midpoint, where the glass meets the frame, then continue across and around to the bottom of the windshield. Cut across the bottom of the windshieldmoving away from the driverand back to the middle. It is not necessary to cut across the center of the windshield; when the glass is folded outward, it will crease easily. When the cut is complete, there will be an opening through which one can easily pass.

Pull pry axe through the window moving the serrated edge up and down as you pull the blade through the glass.

20 - 8

Section 20 - Vehicle Extrication

Fold the windshield over to the opposite side. If the glass does not break when folded, a gentle tap with the axe will break the windshield, allowing it to crease. When a pry axe is not available a fire axe can be used to chop out the glass in a similar way. Chopping out a windshield is not a neat operation, but it is a technique which can be used effectively when time is short. A baling hook can be used to pull away sections of laminated glass when speed in gaining access is important. Force the point of the baling hook through the glass at the upper midpoint of the windshield. A hammer or perhaps a piece of wood cribbing may be used to drive the point through the glass. Forcefully move the hook in and out with a sawing motion so that the point breaks the glass and the curve of the hook separates the pieces. Continue until the windshield is broken from top to bottom. Re-insert the hook at the top of the cut and continue to break the glass across the top (moving away from the driver) and down the side of the windshield. Pull the broken segment of windshield out from the top and remove it. It cannot be emphasized too strongly that when rescuers perform glass removal, they must be completely protected with a helmet, turnout gear, eye protection, and gloves. Whenever possible, prior to any glass removal operations, a protective rescue blanket should be placed over the victim(s). Occasionally, a windshield mounted in rubber can be removed intact by cutting the rubber and lifting the window out. Care must be used so that victims are not harmed by flying glass.

20 - 9

Section 20 - Vehicle Extrication

Cutting a Steering Wheel Frequently in a collision rescue, the victim is pinned behind a steering wheel, collapsed against a seat, or has a foot caught in the floor pedals. In this situation, the seat may be released and moved back, thereby releasing the victim, or the seat may have to be untracked and slid back. Without a come-along or hydraulic rescue tool, the steering wheel itself is difficult to pull out of the way. However, a ratchet cutter or bolt cutter can be used to cut the steering wheel ring on both sides of the T bar to gain more room. Cut the steering wheel ring on both sides of the T bar with either ratchet cutters (if available) or bolt cutters.

Forcing Back Automobile Seats When the seat needs to be forced back with the spreaders, open the arms until one tip is on the door opening and the other tip on the seat frame. Pushing on the seat framework will force the seat back in the track. Use caution, as movement of the seat may increase the pain of a victim's injury.

20 - 10

Section 20 - Vehicle Extrication

Pushing the Dash When a victim has become entangled in the dash and/or the steering wheel it may become necessary to push the dash off the victim. Cut the windshield (A) pillar, then make a cut in the lower front corner of the door opening (these cuts allow movement of the dash area and take little time to cut with the hydraulic cutters). Place the bottom end of the ram (with aluminum base) into the lower rear corner of the door opening. Open the ram until the piston pushes against the front upper door opening (about dash height) and extend the ram, pushing the dash. Rescue crews will frequently encounter vehicles utilizing unibody construction. While most extrication procedures are similar to those for rigid frame-constructed automobiles, unibody construction is somewhat "softer" and may require additional cribbing. Extend the ram until the dash has been pushed clear of the victim. The ram can be disconnected from the power unit and left in place to maintain the position of the dash. Removing the Top In some accident situations, it may be desirable to completely remove the top of the vehicle. Such a case might exist when a patient must be rigidly immobilized on a full backboard. A top can be most easily removed with an Amkus or Holmatro tool and its shears. When the cutting attachment is not available an air chisel can be used with little increase in operating time. Rescuers should be stationed around the car so that as soon each pillar is cut, a rescuer can support the roof until it is completely free.

20 - 11

Section 20 - Vehicle Extrication

Cut both the front pillars first (removing the windshield is not necessary), then the rear ones. Have other firefighters support the roof as the pillars are being cut. After all the supports are cut, lift the roof off the car. It may be necessary to cut the seat belt shoulder straps to remove the roof. These operations should be completed in about 2 minutes or less, and the entire interior of the vehicle will then be exposed. Emergency care personnel will be able to enter and work without hindrance. Some cars, especially certain luxury hardtop models or station wagons, have extremely wide rear pillars or long roofs that pose a problem for rescuers who must remove the roof. In these cases cut the front pillars first. Have other firefighters support the roof. Make a right-angle cut into the curved part of the roof just ahead of the rear pillar on one side. When the shears are being used, the cut should be as deep as the shears will allow. Repeat the cut on the other side. Have one rescuer push down on the roof in line with the two cuts. This will prevent the roof from buckling. Have the rescuers supporting the roof lift upward and backward; thus, they will fold the top back and expose the entire interior of the vehicle.

20 - 12

Section 20 - Vehicle Extrication

Fold the roof back out of the way. Bend sharp edges out of the way or cover with a debris carrier; secure the top to prevent its blowing back in windy conditions.

If the vehicle is on its side, extrication should be made through the roof. Roofing sheet metal is fairly weak and can be opened with the air chisel somewhat like a can and can opener. Working the sheet metal cutting tool, start with a puncture, then cut until three sides are opened, making sure the corners are round. Bolt cutters or a hacksaw may be needed for cutting beams used as additional roof support. Some vehicles have double layers of sheet metal in the roof, so it will be necessary to cut through both layers with the air chisel.

20 - 13

Section 20 - Vehicle Extrication

Use caution when working around the freshly cut metal, as the edges are very sharp. A debris carrier can be laid over them to help protect victims and rescuers. There are situations when vehicles or heavy objects must be raised where there is little space to insert jacks or large tools. Rescue and selected trucks have high pressure air bags which work well in these situations.

AIR BAGS

Air bags are inflated with the Scott 4500 psi air bottles reduced to a working pressure of 118 psi. These bags require only 1 inch of clearance between parallel surfaces for placement, prior to inflation. They can be used in many types of extrications, in addition to their primary use as a lifting device. Place the air bag between a flat surface on the vehicle and cribbing on the ground. If edges are sharp on the vehicle, protect the air bag with a folded debris carrier. As the air bag lifts the vehicle, place cribbing to prevent falling. Two air bags can be combined to increase the lift distance (never use more than two air bags together).

Crib as you lift and pad the air bag when sharp edges are going to be in contact with the air bag.

20 - 14

Section 20 - Vehicle Extrication

Two air bags can be stacked, one on top or the other, to increase lift. (NOTE: do not stack more than 2 air bags.)

MAXIMUM BAG SIZE

CAPACITY IN TONS

HEIGHT OF LIFT

INFLATION TIME

15" X 15" 15" X 21" 20" X 20" 24" X 24" 42" X 15" 28" X 28" 36" X 36"

12 17 22 32 35 44 74

8" 9" 11" 13" 9" 15" 20"

3 seconds 4 seconds 7 seconds 11 seconds 12 seconds 28 seconds 53 seconds

Air Bag Safety Procedures All personnel involved in the rescue must wear full protective clothing. All non-essential personnel must be kept clear of the operating ` area. Always crib and secure the load as it is being lifted. Never work under a load that is supported only by air bags.

20 - 15

Section 20 - Vehicle Extrication

Remain clear of operating area of bags, stand off to the side. Never operate the air bags without the safety controller. When shoring using box cribbing, make sure the bag is placed on solid top layer. Do not leave a hollow center as any movement of the load may cause the cribbing to shift and collapse. Never inflate the air bags against sharp objects or on a surface in excess of 220OF. When necessary, protect the surface of the bag from damage by using cribbing or protective materials. Two air bags may be stacked on top of each other to gain additional lift, but never more than two because the center one may slip out. Line up the centers of the yellow Xs on the bags to ensure they are properly centered. If two different-sized bags are used, always place the smaller bag on top. Two bags may also be used to lift the same load at two separate points to maximize surface contact. Use cribbing large enough to assume the load. Crib as you go. Before raising an object, careful evaluation should be made to predetermine desired height or load movement. This allows one to obtain, in advance, all the necessary cribbing before committing the bags. Make sure all valves are in a closed position before turning on the air source. This will reduce the risk of an uncontrolled lift. Always open high pressure air bottles slowly. Always inflate bags slowly to minimize the chance of load shifting. Always inflate under load. Do not overinflate. Uneven surfaces should always be cribbed until almost parallel. Always crib up to the surface until you can just get the bag in so as to retain the maximum lift of the bag.

Quite often a driver will become trapped by the foot pedals after a collision. The foot may be broken and the driver in a great deal of pain. Any work done on the pedal, even though it reduces pressure on the foot, will seem to cause the driver even more pain. Because of this, rescuers should adopt a plan and use their visual and sensory information to determine if their efforts are successful. Any open wounds should

20 - 16

Section 20 - Vehicle Extrication

be protected against contamination. It may be possible to splint in place a broken leg while waiting. If the decision is to attempt extrication, suitable pry bars should be gathered and placed in such a way as to give a firm bite and secure fulcrum. A slip while prying could cause increased injury and shock. If working on an embankment, use ropes to guide rescuers and to support the transportation effort. If the responding truck company or Rescue 4 is reasonably close, it would be proper to stabilize the victim and delay extrication until their arrival. Collision victims may often be thrown considerable distances. Search the area. Attempt to account for occupants by asking the less injured how many were in their vehicle and then count heads. Consider the incident under control when all victims requiring medical aid have been transported to the hospital. Tow trucks are responsible for the removal of debris and vehicles, but it is the fire departments responsibility to ensure the vehicles can be towed without presenting a hazard; that is, to ensure that flammable liquids are safely contained, and that hidden or remaining fire is out. Remember, when a rescuer first enters a vehicle in a rescue situation involving spilled flammable liquids, the area the rescuer is entering is similar to a bomb. There must be a team at work alleviating the potential of fire and ready to keep a sudden fire away from the rescue team. In extrication the experience and training of the crew at hand will determine what can be done. If no one has ever pried a door, removed a window, or cut open a roof it is doubtful that they will be able to do it at an actual incident. There are many wrecking yards in the city, and several of them are very cooperative in allowing firefighters to train on their wrecks. While training, try to perform various extrications first with only the tools available on an engine company. Finally, the rescue rigs are always available for training exercises and familiarity with their equipment may help the decision to extricate now or to await the arrival of Rescue 4.

20 - 17

Section 20 - Vehicle Extrication

20 - 18

You might also like