Auto Extrication Flashcards
What is extrication?
Extrication—The process of removing vehicle form around the patient
What is the golden hour?
This concept is based on the statistics that show that a seriously traumatized patient has about 60 minutes from the time of the accident to be delivered to a surgical team at the hospital
What is the national average extrication time and what is our goal for extrication time?
a. National Average Time—73 minutes
b. Our Goal (TFD) is to keep the average extrication time at 10 to 15 minutes
How can we achieve our goal extrication time?
a. Training
b. Knowing our equipment
c. Understanding new vehicle construction and technology
d. A systematic approach to vehicle extrication
e. Always working as a team
Personal safety for auto extrication
a. Full turnouts
b. Eye protection (Shield & Safety glasses)
c. Hand protection (Leather work gloves, EMS)
d. Hearing protection
Safety equipment needed for auto extrication
a. Respiratory protection / SCBA if fire involved
b. Charged hoseline (Booster -1 ¾”)
c. Sufficient lighting
d. Be alert around traffic
Who brings what tools to an extrication response?
a. All TFD Engines and Ladder Tenders carry AMKUS units including power plant, spreaders, cutters, ram and extension kit.
b. LT’s also carry Sawzalls (Beware of glass dust)
d. Heavy Rescue 4 carries wide assortment of Paratech, Rams, Airbags, Sawzall, Porta Power, and other valuable equipment
What do you need to know about your extrication equipment?
a. Hooking it up right the first time
b. Does the power plant have fuel and oil?
c. The longer the line the slower the tool will run
d. Can you operate multiple tools at once?
e. Limitations of combination tools
Who do you call for TFD extrication response?
a. Consider dispatching Heavy Rescue 4 early
b. Additional Paramedic Units
c. Consider “Major Medical Response”
i. 1 Batt. Chief
ii. 3 Suppression Units ( Engines or Ladders)
iii. 3 Paramedic Units
iv. 1 EC
d. Emergency Medical Captain (EC 1, 2, 3, 4)
e. Consider air transport due to extrication time
f. TPD for traffic control!!
Units in a medical alarm (“Major medical response”)
i. 1 Batt. Chief
ii. 3 Suppression Units ( Engines or Ladders)
iii. 3 Paramedic Units
iv. 1 EC
What are loaded bumpers?
a. In 1973 it was put into law that front bumpers on light vehicles were to be able to withstand a 5 mph impact. A year later rear bumpers were also included under the law. These types of bumpers can store potential energy after a crash. When a bumper is compressed and becomes entangled in metal, the folded metal can be accidentally moved during extrication allowing the bumper to spring out and possibly injuring rescuers. So be aware of loaded bumpers.
What are posts on a car?
a. Are rolled sheet metal and are hollow. Since most posts are reinforced at each end and have a hollow center, it is clear that the center of the post is the weakest point. This fact is especially important to remember when cutting a post with hand tools. Exceptions to this rule are the “B” posts which have reinforcing plates for seatbelts and the rear posts of most sedans.
Should I look at the diagrams in the PP?
HECK YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What’s a detent pin?
a. This is a hardened steel pin that goes through the hinge
b. Do not cut this pin with the cutters
c. To remove door place spreader tips in center of this hinge and open. Pin will fail
Extrication action plan (8 steps)
a. Parking and scene size-up
b. Hazards & Circle surveys
c. Vehicle stabilization
d. Initial and sustained patient access
e. Disentanglement
f. Patient packaging
g. Patient transport
h. Scene termination