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Dear Reader - The completed articles serialised in our previous issues on - Air Lifting Units and  Multi-Tasking Exercises for the development of expertise are now available in their entirety using the link toggles at the end of this news letter.  We also continue our in-depth look at the real issues around SRS and the workable risk control measures to support and keep the rescue team safe. In News and Views we address some concerns raised by our last feature 

Our Sincere Condolences - My colleagues and I wish to convey our in-depth sympathy to Family, Friends and fellow Firefighters on the loss of Wayne Topping from Burlington, Ontario  at this year's International Extrication Competition in Indy USA. His funeral arrangements can be seen and condolences posted on www.burlingtonfirefightersassociation.com as well as www.terccanada.ca  - For now, I wish you all well and good fortune, l -  Len Watson editor -  [ FEEDBACK ] 

.../.. Working with Live SRS

QUESTIONS -

In the last issue we covered 'roof Removal' on the 4Dr Hatchback outlining three options open to the Rescuer.  It raised some questions amongst our readers that we feel it necessary to address in this issue. 

In our replies to readers questions we have had to point out that ISSUE 12 on Dynamic Risk Assessment and Risk Control Measures had to be read and understood before moving on to ISSUE 13.

For those new readers joining us this month, it is essential that you click on the ARCHIVE link at the top of this news letter and begin by reading ISSUE 12.- 13  before moving onto 14.

Q 1.) We were asked was it safe to cut the air curtain to prevent its inflation it it were to deploy when cutting or disconnection wiring and how this safety issue has been addressed?

A 1-1.) I must begin my answer by asking a question - who is the person most in need of attention at the crash site and why are we there in the first place?  While the extrication is in progress, paramedics are likely to position themselves through side window openings and doorways whilst administering vital care to the casualty. 

A 1-2.) Since the introduction of the air curtain we now know from past history (evidence) that, once the ignition is switched off, it is extremely rare for the system to deploy; so rare in fact that to-date I have only heard of two,,  I would ask any reader if they know of any such incidence where an air curtain has deployed during extrication for them  to share that information with all of us - info@resqmed.com  

A 1-3,) In measuring benefit against perceived risk, which offers the best solution - a) Remove the paramedic leaving the patient without a patent airway while the cut is made - b)  Wait several minutes until the paramedic has administered to the casualty and repositions himself - c) Leave the paramedic tend to the casualty and cut the air curtain to prevent its inflation before disconnecting/cutting SRS wiring. It is important to mention here that short circuit/static could possibly deploy all SIPS on the same system, inferring that door or seat mounted airbags pose a similar risk that cannot be reduced.

As discussed in the continuation of these articles in this ISSUE,  consider 'Roof Fold Down' where the vehicle rests on its side or the problems that arise where the vehicle rests on its roof where deployment poses a much greater risk. 

Topics like this make me revisit earlier times in Extrication rescue where Officers questioned the need for extrication where the casualty could be maneuvered out of the wreckage.  Here we are again today with the current version of the same old diehards. 

What amazes me is that when we do get late model or new vehicles to play with, we, as a whole, fail to grasp the opportunity to analyse Extrication with energised systems.  Show me where a systematic approach has been adopted to risk assess these systems under near real conditions?  The Motor Industry do release new vehicles to some fire departments and for the International Extrication Competitions; it can be argued that it releases them from their 'Duty of Care' responsibility, but never the less, the resource could be put to much greater use. 

Q 2,)  What is the best way to cut SRS wiring?

I launched an internet study some two years ago with a document for discussion 'SRS smart systems - Risk diffusion/mitigation' which outlined intelligent SRS systems offering a logic where undeployed systems remain energised and a series of questions asking the reader to respond. It would appear that for the most part Extrication goes on oblivious to the risks involved, intimating that these systems are less of a hazard than one expects - only time will tell.  So far it looks like the motor industry is home and dry.

So to answer the question, I would ask you to visit - [ Link ] and in the active content click on Risk diffusion/mitigation. 

In the next ISSUE we will discuss the preferred method as shown by Reader response.

Adolpho

Q.)  I would like to know if it exists (or do you have...) a complete "timed options"  with all the extrication evolutions?

A.) Yes we do have some information based on research for timed extrication evolutions, both during training sessions (time and motion study) and operational incidents based on, 'time of arrival on scene' and the 'Stop' time (Time of casualty release).  However this research is not country wide but concentrated on the city of London. Detailed results of the first study were published in my first book RTA Persons Trapped - Vehicle Extrication Rescue (Published 1889) and again in a later study 'Vehicle Extrication Rescue and Pre-Hospital Trauma Care - Published 1996 - [ Link ] 

Q.) In the ‘Clam’ technique (inverted roof removal, when do you removed the cribbing in the initial step of the rescue to stabilize the car?

A.) Remove the step-chock from under the roof on the side you are working on, so that when the rams are extended the roof is relocated until it comes in contact with the ground.

Cut away the centre post and insert second ram (do not over- tension) before cutting the rear pillar/post. Physically support the rams in place as the cut/s are made.

As the rams are extended the roof will initially be pushed down till it meets with the ground before the car will raise.

For further information re-visit - http://www.resqmed.com/TheClam1.pdf 

Useful sites:

lenwatson@resqmed.com  or at leonardwatson@talktalk.net 

In this issue we will discuss roof removal and the variations in risk control measures and risk critical information between the different vehicle types (2/4 door hatch, 4dr car, estate car/station wagon and the variation in 4x4 vehicles).

Extrication EVOLUTION - for the purpose of this discussion Roof Removal with IC Evolution suitable for upright vehicle only is used 

The main difference between the  Hatchback and the 4 dr car is mainly the configuration of the head protection system. The hatchback is most likely to have the inflation cylinder in the rear 1/4 post as indeed many cars have the same configuration. 

Because most Hatchbacks have large 1/4 posts they are also known to incorporate rear mounted pre-tensioners and of course this has to be watched out for.

However some cars also have the IC inflation cylinder in the windscreen (windshield) Pillar.

It's worth a mention, some 2dr coupes also have IC cylinders incorporated within their windscreen pillars, and I don't care how you think you are going to do it, you are going to have to cut through the IC's fabric to relocate or remove the roof's structure.

Often in training sessions I have seen the 'Roof Flapped Forward' by making the cuts to the front pillars near to the roof line.  This nonsense only derives from inexperience, trainers who have no idea of the mechanics of frontal entrapments and the vital need for space for immediate in-vehicle trauma intervention. Make no mistake - THIS COSTS LIVES.

Intrusion of the windscreen pillar and dash, steering wheel and column is what traps the victim and lessens the available space inside the vehicle.

Always pry before you cut and DO NOT cut, or be tempted to cut the IC cylinder or the pyrotechnic charge at any time. 

The configuration of mid-mounted IC cylinders changes the onus on risk control where SIPS wiring runs through the centre post.

Again with door mounted airbags it must be considered prudent to open/force the door in close proximity to the casualty. The risk assessment has now changed and the control measures must alter. 

The mid positioned IC system can also be found in some estate cars (Station wagons) but mainly we will encounter yet another configuration.

The most common configuration will see the cylinder incorporated in the roof's side channel behind the rear passenger door. Wiring will usually run along the sill (rocker panel) follow the wheel arch and channel through the rear door pillar (C pillar). The risk assessment has now changed yet again and a different set of rules put into play.

Complicated - no not really - just common sense, but never-the-less a lot to take in, digest and remember in the middle of the night and we haven't really begun yet.

Some estate cars, predominately seven seater, can have duel or twin air curtains on either side, necessitating double the amount of care.

.

The similarity between the 4x4/SUV, MPV and the estate car cannot be denied.  The various configurations are indeed very similar but other areas on the SIP system on the 4x4/SUV and MPV can be very different and challenging particularly on newer models. However, this mainly rests with seat mounted airbags and pretensioners tied into the same system but we will leave the fuller implications of that to another issue of the news letter. 

Remember if when cutting you short circuit wiring or through static discharge activate the SIP system all modules on the same circuit will deploy. There are ways to manage this safely but to understand it fully we will need to take a deeper look.

In the meantime may I suggest that you visit our document for discussion on SRS Smart Systems Logic. At the end of this discussion document we invite you to share your comments via our Data Information Centre.

The construction of the 4x4/SUV can vary altering the way extrication is performed..

Here again consideration must be given to where side airbags are mounted and what actions can be taken to diffuse or mitigate the threat. 

So there is no misunderstanding, let me reiterate, for the purpose of this discussion, the Roof Removal with IC Evolution outlined so far is only suitable for vehicles that remain in the upright position. 

Illustrations - MVA Extrication PathFinder

COMING NEXT ISSUE  

In the next issue we will take a deeper look and discuss three different variances in IC SIPS installation that can be found in estate cars/station wagons and the risk control measures and order cutting to ensure safety when performing roof removal. 

NEWS & VIEWS - Aug 2007

Firefighters Killed Croatia -  Six firefighters killed and 11 injured just doing their job - [ CLICK ]

Deutsche Bank – Two fire-fighters killed battling fire near Ground Zero

The embattled contractor responsible for dismantling the Deutsche Bank building faced an angry crowd last night, many of whom said they hold the company responsible for the fire that took two firefighters' lives this month.

Residents and local leaders alike jeered officials with Bovis Lend Lease, the company they believe allowed 130 Liberty St. to turn into a firetrap piled high with flammable materials, blocked stairwells and no working central water pipe/rising main.

2 volunteer firefighters killed, 2 hurt in Texas house fire
The two dead firefighters men were part of the Noonday Volunteer Fire Department, which was among the units fighting the 2 am house fire 

See stories on these topics and more

Fattened Up Crash Dummies -

Crash test dummies have been fattened up to make car safety checks more realistic. Plans also include crashing vehicles into one another.  Somehow I feel we have been here before.

The present tests involve crashing a car into a deformable barrier at 40mph. In future, there will be two head-on tests using other vehicles instead. This will cater for more life-like collisions between different-sized cars – super-mini versus the SUV.

Euro NCAP claim rising obesity in the UK means current dummies – based on the 1950’s man – no longer reflect the  typical male motorists. Secretary general Adrian Hobbs said: “Existing dummies look a bit under-fed by today’s standards!” Hobbs admitted the dummies currently used were not realistic enough. Hobbs feels it’s vital that smaller females are also included - “Small females tend to sit closer to the steering wheel, so there’s a concern about how this affects airbag deployment.”

HYBRIDS: ENVIRONMENTALLY CONCERNED AND SAFE?

Recent vehicle testing ratings for small family cars, Honda Civic and Skoda Fabia - Read more >

Honda Airbag Deployment

The driver started the Honda, shifted the transmission into reverse, the passenger door closed and the Honda airbags exploded into the faces of the two young people sitting in the front seats - Read more - GO TO -

Japan Holds Major Disaster Drill

TOKYO  — Hundreds of thousands of people took part in disaster drills across Japan on Saturday, with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe declaring a mock emergency with a huge quake about to hit the nation.

Japan holds annual drills to com- memorate the deadly September 1, 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake, which left more than 140,000 people dead or unaccounted for in and around Tokyo, and constantly prepare for the next big one - read more

New Products

BLIZZARD - Protection systems Limited - Come on all you disaster development gurus' take time out to follow up on this lead -

Albeit mainly military applications for trauma/hypothermia in combat and other emergency scenarios, their product range can be equally applied to civilian and emergency services for wilderness and roadside emergencies, motorist usage and recovery organisations could well offer potential invaluable service, particularly in adverse weather conditions.  Take a look through and I would welcome your comments. Read more >

www.resqmed.com/DailyNewsSheet.htm

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