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

• 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

• 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!!!!– 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