Extrication From Car (2003)

Extrication From Car (2003)

Here we look at how the fire brigade responds to a collision where a driver is trapped in their car. This is part of an exercise so the driver is simulating being trapped and injured.

Two fire appliances arrive at the scene of the collision. A blue Vauxhall Astra’s driver is trapped in his car. The fire brigade waste no time in collecting their cutting equipment from the rescue tender to use of the vehicle. One of the firefighters assesses the casualty’s injuries and reassures him.

Within a few seconds the car is secured with chocks and the ‘jaws of life’ cutting equipment begins cutting through the roof pillars. The casualty is shielded from and flying debris with a board. On cars equipped with a steering wheel airbag, specially designed boards are fixed over them in case they fire.

While the cutting continues, one firefighter uses brute force to bend the doors as far back as possible to aid access to the injured driver. The team works in almost total silence; everyone knowing what has to be done.

An ambulance arrives on the scene. The paramedic gets out and collects equipment from the back. Click the thumbnail to watch it arriving.

Four-and-a-half minutes after the fire brigade arrived at the car, the roof is removed. Excellent access to the casualty is now available and he can be extricated with the minimum amount of movement.

The driver is slid out of the rear of the car using a spinal board and is carried to the ambulance.

The firefighters help the casualty into the back of the single-crewed ambulance and then begin to tidy the scene. The total time from the firefighter first speaking to the casualty to them being placed in the back of the ambulance is seven minutes.