Highway Safety and Vehicle Extrication Flashcards
position apparatus to block the scene
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look when exiting the vehicle, wear safety vest,
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scene safety…
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complex and simple vehicle extrication
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phases of extrication
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eye protection whats best
safety gogles… pg 1046
supplemental air bags
can deploy after the incident
class a fire class b class c class d
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simple and complex access.
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disentanglement
remo
1057 laminated glass - windshield
glass with plastic in the center of it****
windows - tempered glass everywhere else
shatters into little pieces
Initial Response
- Limited access highways: only primary or first-due units should proceed directly to scene
- On-scene units: park single file in same direction to minimize on-scene congestion
Position Blocking Apparatus
• Create one-and-ahalf
to two lanes of blockage
• Position apparatus at angle; front wheels rotated away from incident
• Leave space immediately next to crash for vehicle extrication units
• Position ambulances, command vehicles, and other units downstream from crash
– Allows safer patient loading and rapid departure from scene
Emergency Highway Safety
- Exit vehicle into safe zone
- Be alert for oncoming traffic
- Place flares or cones to slow traffic and channel away from incident lane
- Night operation: shut off vehicle’s white response lights and headlights
Phases of Extrication
- Preparing for rescue
- Sizing up situation
- Recognizing and managing hazards
- Stabilizing vehicle prior to entering
- Gaining access to patient
- Providing primary patient assessment and rapid trauma exam
- Disentangling patient
- Immobilizing and extricating patient from vehicle
- Providing assessment, care, and transport
- Terminating rescue
Protective Gear
for EMS Responders
• ANSI reflective safety vest
Protective Gear for EMS Responders
- Helmets
- Eye protection
- Hand protection
- Body protection
Managing Traffic
• Use flares for traffic control
Supplemental Restraint System: Air Bags
- Air bags designed to inflate on impact, dissipate kinetic energy, minimize trauma to body
- Creates “smoke” in vehicle—cornstarch and talcum powder (and sometimes sodium hydroxide)
Electrical Hazards
- High voltage lines common
- Assume entire area around exposed wire dangerous—conductors may have touched and energized
- Ordinary protective clothing gives no protection against electrocution
Vehicle Fires
• Small fires: 15- or 20-pound class
A:B:C dry chemical fire extinguisher extinguishes almost
anything burning
• Fire under hood: do not attempt
extinguishment unless hood fully open
• Fire in passenger compartment: apply extinguisher sparingly until occupants can be freed
• Fire in trunk: apply same principles as engine compartment fire
Stabilizing a Vehicle
• Vehicle on wheels
– Turn off engine; step-chock three sides
• Vehicle on side
– Stabilize with ropes, cribbing, or stabilizer bars
• Vehicle on roof
– Utilize 4x4 wood blocks to build crib box
Gaining Access
• Simple access – Check if door or window can be opened – Try before you pry • Complex access – Utilize tools and equipment – Break glass in side or rear window as far from passengers as possible
Disentanglement
• Gain access by disposing of doors and roof
– Makes vehicle interior accessible
– Creates large exit-way
– Provides fresh air and helps cool heated patient
- Disentangle occupants by displacing front end
- Easily accomplished with heavy duty jacks and hacksaws
- Do not cut steering column or airbag wiring; may cause unexpected firing
Chapter Review Highway Safety
- Highway operations are a high-risk scene.
- Scene size-up is key to determine how many patients.
- Protect yourself from traffic, un-deployed airbags, loaded bumpers and sharp metal.
Chapter Review Highway Safety
- Ensure scene safety.
- Try simple means to gain access first.
- Protect your patient during the extrication process.
Remember Highway Safety
• Highway response is a significant safety hazard for EMTs. Specific safety planning
and procedures must be utilized to keep responders safe.
• Responding units should evaluate need for further units, institute “blocking” to
protect work area, and always exit apparatus into safe zone.
Remember Highway Safety
- Use protective equipment and warning devices.
- Vehicle extrication often requires specialized training and resources. Know local resources and procedure for activating those resources.
Remember Highway Safety
- Determine extrication resources needed and patient extrication priority through thorough scene size-up.
- Extrication can pose a variety of threats. Evaluate the scene carefully and employ safety procedures.
Remember Highway Safety
• Gaining access to patients frequently requires mechanical and technological assistance. Always start simply and escalate only when simple measures fail.
