Auto Extrication Safety for the Rescuer

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Auto Extrication Safety for the Rescuer

• Honolulu Fire Department
• Training Research Bureau

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Introduction

• Awareness class about Auto Extrication Safety
• Targeted at HFD personnel that may be required to
  perform auto extrications

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Learning Objectives

• Students will realize that undeployed or Loaded
  airbags are dangerous to rescuers
• Precautions need to be taken to be taken to
  prevent injuries during an auto extrication
• More education is needed in this matter

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Topics of Discussion

• Vehicle Construction
• Safety Restraint Systems
• Airbag Requirements
• The Old Way
• Deployment Hazards
• Extrication Safety

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Basic Vehicle Construction

• A, B, C, Posts

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Safety Restraint Systems (SRS)

• Airbags
• How do they work?
• Collisions
• Sensors
• Locations
• Auto fires
• System failure
• Where are they?

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Airbags
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Airbags
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Safety Restraint Systems (SRS) contd

• Rollover Protection Systems
• What are they?
• Where are they?
• How do they work?

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Rollover Protection Systems (ROPS)
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Rollover Protection Systems (ROPS)
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Rollover Protection Systems (ROPS)
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Safety Restraint Systems (SRS) contd

• Seatbelt Pretensioners
• What are they?
• Where are they?
• How do they work?

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Seatbelt Pretensioners
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Which vehicles are equipped with SRS

• 1974 GM introduced airbags in Oldsmobiles and
  Cadillacs
• Since 1987, over 60 million vehicles have been
  equipped with airbags
• 1997 Side impact airbags introduced

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Which vehicles are equipped with SRS

• 1998 - 2 airbags required in all vehicles
• 2002 - 4 airbags will be required in all vehicles

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The Old Way

• Chop and Bend
• Roof
• Steering Column
• Getting in the car

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Deployment Hazards

• Why are we worried?
• SRS dont deploy in 30 of crashes
• They may go off at any time after the crash
• from a few seconds to a couple of days later

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Deployment Hazards

• Airbag deployment
• Speed
• 200 mph
• SMART system varies speed
• Dummy Tests

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Deployment Hazards

• Compressed Gas Cylinders
• Pyrotechnic Devices
• Inflation Devices
• Seatbelt Pretensioners

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Deployment Hazards
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Deployment Hazards

• Deployment Zones
• 15 inches for driver side
• 20 inches for passenger side
• 5 inches for side airbags

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Extrication Safety

• Scene Assessment
• Assure general scene safety
• Traffic
• Chemicals Fire
• Vehicle stabilization Environmental hazards
• Determine if vehicle is equipped with SRS
• If unable to verify, assume it is!

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Extrication Safety

• Even if there is little to no damage to the
  vehicle, evacuate occupants if airbags are
  present.
• Use extreme caution when retrieving items from
  the vehicle.
• Use your left hand to release the hood.

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Extrication Techniques

• Cut the Seatbelt as close to the pretensioner as
  possible
• Avoids whipping
• Avoids further injury to patient
• If vehicle is equipped with power seats and
  windows, push them back and lower them

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Extrication Techniques

• Disconnect Battery
• Negative first
• Be sure cables will not spring back to terminals
• Check for metal intrusions to battery casing
• Disconnect auxiliary electrical devices such as
  cell phones

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Extrication Techniques

• STAY CLEAR of Deployment Zones!!!!
• 15 inches for driver side
• 20 inches for passenger side
• 5 inches for side airbags
• ROPS

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Extrication Techniques

• Do not cut or bend B and C posts or steering
  column
• Treat every undeployed Loaded airbag as if it
  is live

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What This Means

• We are facing extreme danger at almost every
  incident involving a vehicle
• Stay clear of Deployment Zones
• Dont just cut and bend
• THINK - Use common sense

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What are we doing about all this?

• Getting the word out
• Researching the subject
• Developing a training program

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What can you do about this?

• Pass this information along to your men
• Look for more information
• www.extrication.com