Basic Vehicle Extrication Techniques

For a vehicle on it's wheels, a minimum of __ points of stabilization may be used, but __ points, if possible, are strongly advised.

3 points 4 points

The inverted roof flap technique is also commonly referred to as what?

"Oyster" or "Clamshell" technique

Side roof flap, cut the windshield to create what?

A hinge point

Side roof flap, which pillar should be cut first?

A pillar

lastly, where should you cut the C Pillar?

As close to the roof as possible

Cut or remove, in consultation with emergency care team, any seat belts when?

As soon as possible

side roof flap, which pillar should be cut second?

B Pillar (close to the roof)

For the forward roof flap, first cut the __ and __ pillars.

B and C pillars (should be done while other rescuers are supporting the roof)

third door conversion: position the spreader tips into the relief cuts at the base of the __ pillar, open the spreaders to push the panel out and away from, creating the third door

B pillar

For roof removal, side roof flap, stabilization should be in place before what?

Beginning any extrication efforts. (especially important when the vehicle is in such a precarious position)

Only attack one hinge at a time. Do NOT being where?

Between the two hinges

How should you fasten the struts in place?

By using the tension belts or mechanical mechanisms

third door conversion, make a vertical relief cut in the front of the __ pillar

C

Rescuers should full support the roof before what?

ANY Pillars are cut

What's the biggest irony in that these "light" vehicles now incorporate what?

Advanced construction designs and materials that while providing greater survivability to the patient's present more difficult to the rescuers.

The term light motor vehicle is becoming what?

Harder to define

What's the first step of stabilization?

DOUBLE chock one or two of the wheels

It may not be advisable to use a side removal if a _______ ____ is going to be required later

Dashboard roll

Side removal, what's the first step?

Remove the front door, then remove the back door by cutting or spreading the exposed hinges

For a third door conversion, after you remove the front door, what should you do?

Make a deep relief cut at the base of the B pillar. If necessary, squeeze the area first to help with the cut.

Vehicle on its side; Shore the bottom side with what?

Mechanical struts (wood, metal), or with hydraulic or pneumatic struts.

After ensuring that adequate glass probation is in place, make relief cuts where?

On both sides of the roof just behind the windshield.

For a vehicle on its side, to ensure that the vehicle does not fall over, support it where?

On the A and C pillars

On a side roof flap, where should you make a relief cut?

On the roof just above the C pillar closes to the ground (Some vehicles will also require a relief cut on the A pillar)

Like any skill, these techniques require what?

Practice

______ ______ should be covered

Sharp edges

A _____ must be used to secure the roof in its folded position.

Strap

A third door conversion may not be advisable to use this technique if a _________ ____ is going to be required later.

dashboard roll

Whats the final step of a full roof removal?

ensure all sharp edges are covered

Stabilization blocks should be secured in place by wedging with only enough pressure to ensure what?

That they are snug

Whenever possible, avoid what?

The deployment path of airbags (If your agency uses a driver's side protective airbag cover, install it now)

On the side cut, remove the front door from its hinges while other rescuers support what?

The doors

For a vehicle on its side, how should you think?

Think ahead

When using step chocks, a ______ can be used to secure the chock. An inverted step chock may also work.

Wedge

On mechanical struts, it may be necessary to use what to ensure a secure fit.

Wedges

If the front of the car is inaccessible, how else can you expose the hinges?

place spreaders in the front of the window sill, spread against the A pillar to create and insertion point over the hinges.

Depending on the situation, it may also be necessary to use ________ to stabilize the roof side of the vehicle

shoring

If your purchase point begins to tear, what should you do?

stop and reposition your spreader or cut the hinges

With the car on it's roof and hatch door removed, what should you shore the back part of the vehicle with?

struts that are under tension

For inverted roof flap, where should you stabilize the vehicle with chocks and blocks?

the space between the bak of the vehicle and ground, space between the engine compartment and windshield

vehicle on it's roof, where should you add additional blocks/chocks?

to the space between the engine compartment and the windshield for added stability

The first step to door removal may be what?

to unlock the door and to open it normally if possible

The most appropriate roof removal technique will depend on what?

type and nature of structural damage to the vehicle as well as how the trapped patient is affected.

The panel may now be further removed with the spreaders. Be careful while spreading the panel as it may suddenly what?

release from the body

car on its roof, with rear hatch removed. what will allow better access to patients trapped in the front of the car?

removal of the back seats of the car

Expose and investigate all pillars and roof rails before what?

Cutting

How can you avoid the spreader being pulled into the patient compartment?

- Ensure good tip placement - Ensure good angle of the spreader

Depending on the nature of the impact and the environment of the accident, it is not always necessary to remove the roof completely. What are some other ways of dealing with a roof?

- Forward roof flap - Backward roof flap - partial roof flap - side roof flap - inverted roof flap

What are the first two steps for a full roof removal?

- Remove all necessary glass - Cut both A Pillars

What are two types of emergency care that can be given in the vehicle during extrication operations?

- Spinal immobilization - Supplemental oxygen

What are some of the factors that play a role in determining the appropriate actions and their sequence?

- number of vehicles involved - their positions - number & condition of patients - external hazards

The inverted roof flap, what does this method require?

A well trained rescue team that has practiced this technique together.

Which pillars should be cut next?

Both B Pillars

What is the objective of a third door conversion?

Creating an opening of the side of a two door vehicle that can be used for patient care or immediate release if appropriate

Avoid placing stabilization in areas where you are likely to what?

Cut

Once the door is open after breaking away from the lock, what should you do?

Cut or spread the hinges and remove it

Third door conversion, if the B pillar extends to the roof, what should you do?

Cut through the top of the B pillar (It may be faster to remove the B post completely)

Whats the final step with side roof removal?

Ensure all sharp edges are covered

After the relief cuts have been made behind the windshield, what can rescuers do?

Fold the roof forward (May be necessary to use a bar to assist in the folding)

for a car on it's roof, what can have a major impact on how the car is stabilized?

Front engine or rear engine vehicles

When working with a patient, where should you break the glass?

Furthest away from the patient

Once the door has been completely removed, where should it be placed?

In the designated parts dump

One the patient has been accessed, what can be given?

Initial assessment and emergency care

The bulk of motor vehicle collisions with entrapment involve what?

Light motor vehicles

What's another name for the side cut?

Maxi Door

If it's a hatch back vehicle on its roof, whats a good way to get access to the vehicle?

Opening the rear of the vehicle by removing the hatch door if possible

How do you want to spread the door?

Outwards, away from the patients body

Vehicle on its roof, how can you increase the opening for a purchase point?

Pinch the metal of the bottom of the door and folding it downward

With the side roof flap, how can you create a horizontal working platform?

Place shoring blocks where the roof will lie. Fold the roof downward as smoothly as possible to avoid destabilizing the car

Actions take in the very beginning lay the groundwork for what?

The safety of the rest of the rescue

What should you remember to do while cutting glass?

Protect both patients and rescuers from glass fragments and glass dust

Cut the windshield from one side to the other providing what?

Protection for both patient and rescuer from glass fragments and glass dust

A trained step by step approach is the key to achieving this section of the rescue work ________ and _________.

Safety and effectively

With the roof supported, make the final cuts ensuring that there are no other points of attachment such as what?

Seatbelt or plastic trim

vehicle on its roof, how can you create a hinge purchase point?

Squeeze the rocker channel in order to create enough space for the tips of the spreader

When there is no insertion point for the spreader and the front fender is accessible, what should you do?

Squeeze this panel on the highest point of the wheel well. This will create an opening over the hinges of the door.

What should be performed properly before any other extrication efforts are started?

Stabilization

Car on its roof, what should be done after the car is stabilized?

Standard glass removal

For a side removal, which pillar should you remove?

The B pillar by cutting at the top and bottom

What are the last pillars to be cut?

The C pillars

If you intent to flap the roof down, what should you remove from under the roof prior to flapping the roof down?

The chocks

In some cases glass management is necessary to access what?

The patient

Always control the movement of the door ensure that it does not come into contact with what?

The patient or with the rescuer or push against the ground causing the vehicle to move.

For a vehicle on its roof, where should you chock?

The space between the back of the vehicle and the ground. (step chocks, chocks or wedges)

The most appropriate door removal technique will depend on what?

The type and nature of structural damage to the vehicle as well as how the trapped patient is affected.

What is the main objective of side removal?

To create a larger opening in the side of the vehicle that can be used for patient care or immediate release if appropriate.

vehicle on it's wheels, whats the main objective of door removal?

To gain access to the patient in order to allow for better care during the extrication. (This opening may also be used for immediate release if appropriate)

What is the objective of stabilization?

To minimize movement of the vehicle, that may negatively affect entrapped patients or injure rescuers.

After the hinges and the small strap between them are broken or cut, whats the next step?

To remove the door from the lock side

Whats the objective of roof removal?

To remove the roof structure, in order to allow greater patient access and extrication from the vehicle when appropriate.

The rescuers can now lift the roof and carry it where?

To the designated parts dump

What should you remember when removing the B Pillar?

To use sharp edge protection

Making use of a stable spreading point above the ____ ____, the door may now be spread away from the vehicle.

Top hinge

T/F: You should always ensure good sharp edge protection?

True

Each motor vehicle crash is _______

Unique

vehicle on it's roof, whats an alternative way to remove the door?

Use spreader tips to pinch and make an opening on the lock side. Use spreader to break lock mechanism by spreading the door away from the body.

If you can't cut the B pillar, what's another way to remove it from the bottom part?

Use the spreaders against the rocker panel, then open the spreaders to tear the bottom of the B pillar away from the car

If the fender needs to be further removed. what can you do?

make a relief cut (with the cutters) where it is squeezed (At top of the wheel well)

Stabilization blocks should be strategically placed to ensure what?

maximum stability

What are we mostly referring to when we use the term light motor vehicle?

mostly privately owned passenger vehicles such as the family car.