Download Auto Extrication Safety for the Rescuer

Auto Extrication Safety for the
Rescuer
Honolulu Fire Department
Training & Research Bureau
Introduction
• Awareness class about Auto Extrication
Safety
• Targeted at HFD personnel that may be
required to perform auto extrications
•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
Topics of Discussion
•
•
•
•
•
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Vehicle Construction
Safety Restraint Systems
Airbag Requirements
The Old Way
Deployment Hazards
Extrication Safety
Basic Vehicle Construction
• A, B, C, Posts
Safety Restraint Systems
(SRS)
• Airbags
– How do they work?
• Collisions
– Sensors
• Locations
• Auto fires
– System failure
– Where are they?
Airbags
Airbags
Safety Restraint Systems (SRS)
cont’d
• Rollover Protection Systems
– What are they?
– Where are they?
– How do they work?
Rollover Protection Systems
(ROPS)
Rollover Protection Systems
(ROPS)
Rollover Protection Systems
(ROPS)
•Safety Restraint Systems (SRS)
cont’d
• Seatbelt Pretensioners
– What are they?
– Where are they?
– How do they work?
Seatbelt Pretensioners
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
Which vehicles are
equipped with SRS
• 1998 - 2 airbags required in all vehicles
• 2002 - 4 airbags will be required in all
vehicles
The Old Way
•
•
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Chop and Bend
Roof
Steering Column
Getting in the car
Deployment Hazards
• Why are we worried?
– SRS don’t 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
Deployment Hazards
• Airbag deployment
– Speed
• 200 mph
• SMART system varies speed
• Dummy Tests
Deployment Hazards
• Compressed Gas Cylinders
• Pyrotechnic Devices
– Inflation Devices
– Seatbelt Pretensioners
Deployment Hazards
Deployment Hazards
• Deployment Zones
– 15 inches for driver side
– 20 inches for passenger side
– 5 inches for side airbags
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!
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.
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
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
Extrication Techniques
• STAY CLEAR of Deployment Zones!!!!
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15 inches for driver side
20 inches for passenger side
5 inches for side airbags
ROPS
Extrication Techniques
• Do not cut or bend B and C posts or
steering column
• Treat every undeployed “Loaded” airbag as
if it is live
What This Means
• We are facing extreme danger at almost
every incident involving a vehicle
• Stay clear of Deployment Zones
• Don’t just cut and bend
• THINK - Use common sense
What are we doing about all this?
• Getting the word out
• Researching the subject
• Developing a training program
What can you do about
this?
• Pass this information along to your men
• Look for more information
• www.extrication.com