Extrication Thoughts

By Lt. John Kendall Southboro Massachusetts

Fire Department

 EXTRICATION

YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND TOMORROW


Perhaps some of the more experienced firefighters in the crowd remember photos taken back in the 1940's, 50's, and 60's of jakes tearing into some real American rolling stock, trying to get victims out. Back then our automobiles were made of real metal and seatbelts were unheard of. A lot of time was spent using prybars, hacksaws, and whatever else was on the apparatus to perform the arduous task. It seemed to take forever to extricate the victims, and the survival rates were low. In the late 50's and early 60's, the fire service began "borrowing" from various trades. Those huge can openers, air chisels, and the "Porto Power" began showing up on rescue vehicles. Sometimes they were able to speed the job up, but more often than not, time was wasted setting up equipment. In the very late 1960's, the first mention of the "Golden Hour" came about. This hour was synonymous with "Shock Trauma", located in Maryland. Studies were being done on trauma and it's direct relation to time vs. mortality.

Bring us to the early 1970's. We were still doing things the hard way when along came Johnny and Roy of "Emergency!" fame. Not only did they bring Paramedics to life, it seems that they had every new device available for rescue. In one show they responded to an accident and dragged out the tool newly acquired…….the "Jaws of Life". This device, which was rumored to be available to everyone else, if money was no object, was the answer to all prayers. It had long spreader arms capable of developing 12,000 psi at the tips. More than enough power to dismantle the worst wreck. Not only that, there were chains that attached to the tips, allowing displacement of dashboards and steering wheels. Not bad for something stolen from elsewhere………the racing circuit if I remember correctly. Although expensive (around 7000 1972 dollars, with the 2 cycle power unit), and heavy to handle, this tool was welcomed in the fire service. Extrications took a lot less time. Less manpower was required to perform the actual extrication, which allowed commanders to dedicate more personnel to patient care. (Remember that "Golden Hour" mentioned earlier?)
The biggest problems were that the vehicles were faster, and that they were made using less expensive materials. Wrecks were just that…….wrecks.

In the 1980's, fuel economy was the biggest factor in auto manufacturing. Lighter materials were being used, unibody construction was the norm (please give me back my 1967 Dodge 440!). These vehicles, while economical to drive, did not fare very well in accidents. Most manufacturers had been installing seatbelts since the mid 1970's. Good thing. They kept the bodies inside where we could find them. By this time, Hurst had made several improvements to their hydraulic extrication tools. The spreaders were smaller but just as powerful. They had developed separate cutting units to speed up operations.
They had also developed the manifold block, allowing multiple tool hookups. Various attachments were in the works to make our jobs easier. By the end of the 1980's they even had a 4 cycle power unit available. Now that was an improvement. The biggest thing that Hurst had developed over the years was competition…..Lukas, Holmatro, Amkus, everyone was getting into the act. The "mine is bigger and better than yours" had finally arrived. Personally, I am a diehard Hurst lover. I have tried them all and I feel they are they best. At least that's my opinion.

In the 1990's things really started to change. Airbags, or as they are technically known, "Supplemental Restraint Systems" became commonplace. An airbag in every steering wheel. What an advent they were. We still had to cut people out, but their chances of survival were increased. More tools became available. Rams were on the scene and being used for everything including dash rolls and steering wheel displacements. Manifolds were being discontinued and power supplies were being equipped to power multiple tools. The tools were lighter, yet stronger. Oh yeah, the cars were lighter and stronger too. Saturns…….they really changed extrication. After all those years of steel we had a car made of plastic! Because America was home of the motoring public, and whether we like it or not, home of the lousy drivers, vehicles were even more improved. Airbags were now on the front passenger side, they are in head rests, door panels. Other devices spring out of nowhere to protect those in convertibles. Nice. Like driving a giant mattress should you have an accident. Problem is, not many manufacturers took rescue into consideration. Airbags deploy at phenomenal speeds. Anyone in the way can be seriously injured. (Anyone recall the Dayton, Ohio incident?) Disarming them is nearly impossible. Always use common sense when working near any airbag system.

And here we are looking at tomorrow. Two manufacturers are currently marketing "hybrid" vehicles. Not only are they light in weight, they use two systems to operate - gasoline power and high voltage batteries. Cables that pas under the driver's side from the trunk to the engine compartment carry up to 300 volts! Check out the manufacturer's info on these, the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius. Interesting stuff we now have to deal with. Yes, we have to. These vehicles, unlike older electrical prototypes or CNG powered are actually selling well and are at a dealership near you. What is next……who knows. With fuel becoming a more expensive commodity again, perhaps titanium or other exotic metals. Passenger pods that self extricate? We shall see…………

Tip: You are using a ram to roll a dash and it keeps slipping off the rocker panel. You don't have one of those fancy blocking plates? Just clamp your spreader tool to the rocker panel! It makes a great block and has excellent strength for the job. Use caution with this method on the driver's side of the new hybrids! You don't want to clamp onto the high voltage cable.

PS - The "Golden Hour"…..it starts at the moment of injury, not when rescuers arrive.