Auto Extrication Safety for the Rescuer

1. Auto Extrication Safety for the Rescuer Honolulu Fire Department Training & Research Bureau

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

3. 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

4. Topics of Discussion • Vehicle Construction • Safety Restraint Systems • Airbag Requirements • The Old Way • Deployment Hazards • Extrication Safety

5. Basic Vehicle Construction • A, B, C, Posts

6. Safety Restraint Systems (SRS) • Airbags • How do they work? • Collisions • Sensors • Locations • Auto fires • System failure • Where are they?

7. Airbags

8. Airbags

9. Safety Restraint Systems (SRS) cont’d • Rollover Protection Systems • What are they? • Where are they? • How do they work?

10. Rollover Protection Systems (ROPS)

11. Rollover Protection Systems (ROPS)

12. Rollover Protection Systems (ROPS)

13. Safety Restraint Systems (SRS) cont’d • Seatbelt Pretensioners • What are they? • Where are they? • How do they work?

14. Seatbelt Pretensioners

15. 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

16. Which vehicles are equipped with SRS • 1998 - 2 airbags required in all vehicles • 2002 - 4 airbags will be required in all vehicles

17. The Old Way • Chop and Bend • Roof • Steering Column • Getting in the car

18. 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

19. Deployment Hazards • Airbag deployment • Speed • 200 mph • SMART system varies speed • Dummy Tests

20. Deployment Hazards • Compressed Gas Cylinders • Pyrotechnic Devices • Inflation Devices • Seatbelt Pretensioners

21. Deployment Hazards

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

23. 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!

24. 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.

25. 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

26. 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

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

28. Extrication Techniques • Do not cut or bend B and C posts or steering column • Treat every undeployed “Loaded” airbag as if it is live

29. 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

30. What are we doing about all this? • Getting the word out • Researching the subject • Developing a training program

31. What can you do about this? • Pass this information along to your men • Look for more information • www.extrication.com