Videos

Debris in a Chisel
November 03, 2011

An air chisel is like any other tool. It requires proper cleaning and maintenance to ensure it is in a state of readiness. Debris in this chisel allowed a small amount of air to continually reach the piston causing the chisel to fire.

Explaining Struts in Italy
November 03, 2011

Through a translator, tips are explained in properly placing struts to ensure the vehicle is as stable as possible.

Extrication Wrap Cameo
November 03, 2011

This video was made in cooperation with Extrication Wrap to show the potential uses and advantages of the product.

Fatally crushed New York Post
November 03, 2011

This incident made national news after responders failed to crib the vehicle during a lift with a spreader. Because a spreader arm provides a very narrow base for lifting, the load should be cribbed as it is lifted.

Glass Management and Secondary Entrapment Competition
November 03, 2011

During the 2011 International Extrication Competition, members of the Darlington County Extrication Team relieve a secondary entrapment of the patient using appropriate glass management procedures and smooth hydraulic spreader operations.

Highway Close Call with Engine Crew
November 03, 2011

This Engine Company gets an unwelcome suprise when an eighteen wheeler crashes into their parked apparatus.

Unexposed Upper Rail Cut
November 03, 2011

In this staged upper rail cut, the hood has not been lifted to expose any hazards and make the cut more effective. Notice the cutter move downward during the cut and the release of gas from the hood strut. For more information visit http://www.firefighternation.com/article/extrication/raising-hoods-extrication-scenes-0.

How You Test Your Airbag
November 03, 2011

No need to explain....... Just watch!

Evaluating Doors for Gaining Access
November 03, 2011

During the 2011 International Extrication Competition, members of the Darlington County Extrication Team evaluate the driver's side doors of this four door vehicle to determine suitable points of entry for the interior rescuer and possible paths of egress.

Poor Door Removal
November 03, 2011

Not understanding the concept of spreader operations can lead to poor tactics. These responders also did not have proper PPE. For more information visit http://www.firefighternation.com/article/extrication/proficiency-hydraulic-tool-use.

Improper Roof Relief Cuts
November 03, 2011

The result of vehicle positioning along with poor tool selection to complete the lower relief cut was an inadequate path of egress. These responders resulted to physically attempting to displace this roof.

Wheel Resting Stabilization
November 03, 2011

The object of effective stabilization is to crib the vehicle in the position found.Cribbing should meet the load instead of the vehicle being lowered or lifted to meet the cribbing. In this video responders lift the vehicle to insert step cribbing. Responders should use wedges in conjuction with step chocks instead of moving the vehicle to accomadate the height of the step chock levels.

Making a Dash Displacement Relief Cut
November 03, 2011

When making the relief cut in the Alpha post to conduct a dash displacement, pay close attention to the placement of the cutter blade tips to avoid unwanted movement of the cutter body. For further information on how to predict and prevent this movement visit http://www.firefighternation.com/article/extrication/extrication-tactics-are-you-butcher-or-surgeon.

Movement of a Four Sided Object
November 03, 2011

Struts are routinely positioned in a triangle formation and properly stabilize a vehicle or object. When the combination of the struts and vehicle/object create a four sided object, the result is potential movement. During operations this movement should be anticipated and accounted for.

Parked Ambulance Close Call
November 03, 2011

The responders at this scene narrowly escape injury when an out of control vehicle collides with the parked ambulance.

Raising a Car Italian Style
November 03, 2011

Responders raise the top vehicle while ensuring proper lifting speed and tension management.

Hazards of Laminated Glass Removal
November 03, 2011

When removing laminated glass with the use of a reciprocating saw, protect the victims and responders from the resulting glass dust. This video shows just home much dust potential exists on the interior of the vehicle.

Removing a Seatback with Hydraulic Cutter
November 03, 2011

During the 2011 International Extrication Competition, members of the Darlington County Extrication Team remove the front driver's seat to complete the primary plan of a driver's side tunnel.

Removing Pressurized Struts
November 03, 2011

The best way to reduce the hazards of pressurized struts is to avoid them. Typically removal of at least one end allows them to be manipulated in a manner that allows completion of tactics.

Running Into Sunroof Supports with Saw
November 03, 2011

Before attempting a ridge cut, responders should evaluate the roof area for SRS systems, sunroofs, etc. and ensure no construction features are present that may complicate the tactic. If forced to make the ridge cut, it may prove beneficial to skin the exterior sheet metal to avoid those features and/or allow for hydraulic tool use.

Uncoordinated Roof Removal
November 03, 2011

These responders did not have a coordinated plan to remove the roof. For more information on the proper removal sequence visit http://www.firefighternation.com/article/extrication/don-t-forget-your-roof-removal-duties.

Using a Halligan for Tempered Glass
November 03, 2011

Using a forcible entry tool to break tempered glass can be harder than typically portrayed in books and training classes. It also increases the shock to the vehicle versus smaller tools that are specifically designed to break tempered glass. When limited to using forcible entry tools position the tool properly in a corner and use the post to catch the tool.

Using a Ratchet Strap to Reduce Compression
November 03, 2011

A certain amount of lift can be achieved by correctly placing the strut(s) in position depending on the scenario and using the onboard or an auxiliary ratchet strap to draw the base(s) towards the load. Although it may not be possible to achieve enough lift to free the entrapment, any quick relief of pressure can increase the patient’s chances of successful recovery. The goal should be to relieve enough pressure to restore respiratory and/or circulatory ability. A secondary result is the physiological impact it has on the patient knowing responders are helping him/her and the vehicle is no longer crushing them.

Using an Antenna for Tempered Glass
November 03, 2011

Using an antenna to break tempered glass is a junkyard trick that is typically only successful with multiple attemtps. Responders should always be prepared to remove tempered glass by having quick access to at least one of several cheap but effective tools.

Anticipating an Incident
November 02, 2011

This officer describes the hazards of being close to the roadway just prior to a secondary collision.

Attempted Roof Flap
November 02, 2011

These responders attempted to flap the middle section of a roof forward after making two ridge cuts. However, the supports from the sunroof complicated the tactic.

Attempted Seat Push
November 02, 2011

Organizations should subject responders to complex, real world challenges that require them to develop and demonstrate potential solutions. These scenarios should start relatively simple, but progressively get more difficult and detailed as responders show signs of comprehension and demonstration of necessary skills. The use of simulated pateints assists in creating more realism and understanding the effects of each tactic. This responder attempts a seat push that would be unrealistic with a patient in the seat.

Breaking Loaded Glass
November 02, 2011

It may be virtually impossible for a responder to determine if a glass is loaded or not, regardless of the contributing factor(s). Responders should use a high index of suspicion that all tempered glass is loaded and manage the glass accordingly. Managing the glass goes beyond simply breaking or removing glass and involves a variety of techniques. An additional key point with loaded glass is the protection of exterior responders from flying glass fragments. This staged video shows the effects of the pressure on the glass.

Car Movement Italian Style
November 02, 2011

When vehicles are smaller, several responders may be able to move it without additional equipment.

Close Call with Reciprocating Saw
November 02, 2011

Hard and soft protection should be used anytime operations are close to the interior rescuer and/or the patient. In this video responders are cutting the Bravo post with a reciprocating saw when the blade comes dangerously close to the interior rescuer.

Cut Inflator Test
November 02, 2011

The basis for handling any type of supplemental restraint system is the proper identification of components by removing trim as appropriate. This video shows the hazards of cutting into a side curtain airbag inflator located in the Charlie post.