RTC Flashcards
What is the primary aim of the Incident Commander (IC) at a Road Traffic Collision (RTC)?
To rescue a casualty and adopt a casualty centred rescue approach.
This principle emphasizes doing no further harm to the casualty.
What is the ‘Golden Hour’ in trauma care?
The critical one-hour time frame for delivering trauma victims to definitive care to save lives.
Definitive care refers to being in the hospital on the operating table.
List three common obstacles encountered during RTC rescues.
- Notable absence of liaison
- Notable absence of a clearly identifiable IC
- Notable absence of simultaneous activity
Why is effective liaison important in RTC rescues?
To establish a rescue strategy that satisfies both medical and physical rescue requirements.
Early contact with the Ambulance Service is crucial.
What does ‘one singer, one song’ mean in the context of RTC rescues?
It emphasizes the need for a clearly identifiable Incident Commander to ensure everyone follows the same rescue plan.
What is meant by ‘simultaneous activity’ in RTC rescues?
Performing medical and physical rescue activities at the same time to reduce entrapment times.
What are the six phases of the rescue in RTC situations?
- Scene assessment and scene safety
- Stabilisation/Initial access
- Glass management/Plastics
- Space creation
- Full access
- Immobilisation/Extrication
Define ‘Immediate Release’ in the context of RTC rescues.
The capability to extricate the trapped casualty in the shortest possible time with available equipment.
What is ‘Controlled Release’ during an RTC rescue?
Creating maximum space to safely remove the casualty and allow for medical attention.
What are essential safety practices when operating hydraulic tools?
- Ensure couplings are free from dirt
- Use hard and soft protection
- Inform personnel when cutting
- Position blades at 90° to material being cut
What is epidermal injection?
Injury caused by hydraulic oil penetrating through PPE due to the failure of hydraulic hoses.
This can lead to severe injuries that require immediate medical attention.
What should be worn at all times when within the inner cordon at an RTC?
Eye protection (safety glasses) and other appropriate PPE.
What actions should be taken when approaching an RTC scene?
- Approach should be slow and controlled
- Dismount appliance from safe side
- Stay within designated safe area
- Wear full PPE including high visibility tabards
What is the role of a Safety Observer at an RTC incident?
To monitor traffic flow and ensure the safety of personnel working near moving traffic.
Fill in the blank: ‘The Fire Service is recognized as the ________ rescue service at RTCs.’
[principle]
Why is pre-planning important in RTC rescues?
To recognize factors common to all RTCs and prepare accordingly for effective rescue operations.
What should be done if an attending paramedic estimates limited time for extrication?
The Fire Service Incident Commander should adjust the extrication plan accordingly to prioritize medical needs.
What is the purpose of using words of command during extrication?
To ensure clear communication and coordination among personnel during the rescue phases.
What are the two types of release plans mentioned?
- Immediate Release
- Controlled Release
True or False: The aim of extrication times should be 30-40 minutes to ensure safety.
False
The aim should be for extrication times of 10-20 minutes.
What is the purpose of the ‘fend off’ position?
To provide a warning to approaching traffic and protect the scene from moving vehicles.
The ‘fend off’ position should be established 25m to the rear of the incident if no Police/HATO are present.
What should be considered when approaching an incident?
Weather conditions, visibility, road conditions, obstacles, casualties, public presence, traffic build-up.
A slow, quiet, and controlled approach is necessary to minimize risk.
Fill in the blank: The minimum distance recommended for positioning an appliance to warn fast-moving traffic is _______.
25m
What are the two methods of ‘fend off’ positioning?
- In-line Fend-off
- Angled Fend-off/in
True or False: The angled fend-off method maximizes rear facing lighting.
False
What does the ‘Forward Safety Zone’ provide?
A safe location in front of the incident for ambulances, ensuring an unobstructed route.
This zone is crucial when Police or HATO are not present.
What is the purpose of traffic cones at an incident?
To cause traffic to change lanes gradually before reaching the obstruction.
What is the recommended distance for placing traffic cones?
12.5m intervals
The first cone should be placed at a distance determined by the severity of the traffic situation.
What should be done if the first appliance arrives at an incident?
The first appliance should fend off 25m before the incident and place cones to close the road from the other direction until a second appliance arrives.
What distance should the second appliance maintain from the first during a road closure?
125m
What is the role of the Incident Commander (IC)?
To complete a 360 assessment of the incident and confirm the degree of entrapment.
The IC also formulates an extrication plan based on their assessment.
What is the purpose of stabilizing a vehicle during a rescue?
To provide a solid and stable platform for rescuers and minimize movement during rescue operations.
What percentage of vehicles involved in a collision come to rest on all four wheels?
84%
What is ‘emergency stabilisation’?
A method allowing initial access for a casualty carer when the casualty’s airway is compromised.
List some types of equipment used for stabilisation.
- Step chocks
- Blocks and wedges
- Stab Fast
- Stak-Jaks
- Hydraulic equipment
- Paratec
What should be done with loose vehicle debris?
It should be placed underneath the vehicle or removed to the allocated ‘Debris Dump’.
True or False: Glass should always be removed from the scene before any rescue operations.
False
What are the two common types of glass found in vehicles?
- Toughened
- Laminated
What is the aim of glass management in a rescue operation?
To overcome hazards posed by glass and facilitate access to the casualty.
What is the recommended distance for the outer cordon set up by fire services?
Approximately 5-6m around the vehicle.
What should be done if the Police are not in attendance?
Set up cones and warning signs to manage traffic around the incident.
What is the purpose of the equipment dump?
To keep non-used medical equipment organized and reduce trip hazards.
What are the four basic combinations of glass that a rescuer will face?
- Laminated glass bonded into place
- Toughened glass bonded into place
- Laminated glass attached with rubber seal
- Toughened glass attached with rubber seal
What is Packex?
A tool that can be applied to any window to allow for controlled breakage and quick removal of the whole window.
What are the characteristics of the specially formulated adhesive mentioned?
- Only has one adhesive side
- Perforated sections every 4 inches
- Protects casualty and rescue team
- Prevents glass dust and particles
When should Packex be applied during glass management?
During the glass management phase where there is a potential for uncontrolled breakage.
What protective measures must all personnel in the inner cordon wear when managing glass?
Respiratory protection.
What is the first step when faced with a door that does not open and a window that will not wind down?
Break the window furthest from the casualty first.
What is the purpose of removing plastic trims around internal A, B, and C posts?
To expose hazards behind the trim such as cables, fuel lines, air bags, and seat belt pre-tensioners.
What are the two categories of space creation techniques?
- Internal Space Creation
- External Space Creation
What is tunneling in the context of vehicle extrication?
A method of creating space with the vehicle on its side by removing rear/front seats.
What are the four categories of RTCs?
- Head on collision
- Side on (T-bone)
- Rear end
- Roll over
What are the three basic orientations a vehicle can end up in after a collision?
- On all four wheels
- On its side
- On its roof
What must be done before any cutting or spreading techniques take place?
Glass management and trim removal.
What is the first step in the door removal technique when the door is closed?
Open shut lines using a Halligan tool, pry bar, or spreaders.
What is the B post rip technique?
A method of removing a side in one complete technique by cutting and spreading the B post.
What is the purpose of the third door creation technique?
To gain access to rear passengers in a two-door vehicle.
What should be monitored during a dashboard roll to prevent injury?
Dashboard movement to ensure the casualty is not entrapped.
What is the final step in the roof removal technique?
Remove the roof to the debris dump while ensuring no points of attachment remain.
What is the purpose of the inverted roof flap technique?
To create maximum space when a vehicle is on its roof for casualty extrication.
Fill in the blank: Cross Ramming can be used to create _______ space.
internal
True or False: All personnel not wearing respiratory protection should remove to the outer cordon.
True
