Instructor Resources
The Auto Industry changes vehicles faster than ever before. Staying on top of new vehicle technology can be a challenge for extrication instructors. Today’s Motor City Monday Extrication Tip is keeping your extrication PowerPoints updated with the latest body structures. Every year in Detroit, the Auto Makers and the steel companies get together to share new uses of steel in vehicle designs with industry experts presenting. Extrication instructors can use the presentations to get up-to-date vehicle images to keep their crews current with the new vehicle features. Below are the last two years of presentations that you can download. If you what to look back further, the folks at Great Designs in Steel have every presentation for the last 15 years available here.
2016 Great Designs in Steel:
- AHSS Technologies in the All-New 2016 Honda Civic
- AHSS Technologies in the 2016 Lincoln Continental D544
- Lightweighting and Steel Technologies in the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu and 2017 Buick LaCrosse
- AHSS Technologies in the 2016 Volvo XC90
- AHSS Technologies in the 2016 Nissan Titan XD
2015 Great Designs in Steel:
- Advanced High-Strength Steel Technologies in the 2015 Acura TLX
- Advanced High-Strength Steel Technologies in the 2015 Nissan Murano
- Advanced High-Strength Steel Technologies in the 2016 Nissan Maxima
- Advanced High-Strength Steel Technologies in the 2015 Ford Edge
- Advanced High-Strength Steel Technologies in the 2015 GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado
Below is an image gallery of photos from the 2016 Great Designs in Steel. If you are still looking for more New Vehicle Technolgy, checkout the Vehicle Extrication from inside of the Auto Industry DVD.
- Acura Body Structure
- AHSS 2016 Honda Civic B-Pillar
- AHSS 2016 Honda Civic
- AHSS 2016 Nissan Titan XD
- AHSS 2016 Lincoln Continental D544 A-Pilar
- AHSS 2016 Lincoln Continental D544 B-Pillar
Quick Tips
A different spin on Cracking the Egg
Cracking the Egg has its’ share of fans and critics. Just remember training provides us with memory markers that we

Cracking the Egg
The technique known as “Cracking the Egg” is interesting to method to gain patient access of a roof resting vehicle. The video below from The Rescue Boss Facebook page replaces the cribbing that is normally used with a short Paratech strut. Watch how the strut pivots art the base plate as the rear of the vehicle is lifted.
Cracking the Egg has its’ share of fans and critics. Just remember training provides us with memory markers that we can draw from down the road and often use bits and pieces from different techniques during difficult or challenging rescues.
Quick Tips
Stabilization and Electric Vehicles
The battery weight and location are important considerations for stabilization.

One of the fastest methods of initial stabilization is to immobilize the vehicle by turning the 12-volt system OFF. Securing the ignition is accomplished by obtaining the key fob or keys and put them in a rescue apparatus Furthest away from the scene. Another quick, initial stabilization option are wheel chocks.
Chocks used during fire pumping operation are an excellent option. However, often a line is stretched off the apparatus and the engineer used the chocks on the apparatus. Many extrication teams use two wheel chicks tied together with a rope. Turtle Plastics has chicks that are lightweight and easy to deploy.
Stabilize the vehicle with cribbing, by removing air from the tires, or utilize the Lift Airbag Equipment for rescue.
Wheel chocks must match the size of the tires on the vehicle and used in pairs Tire size is designed to be proportional to the vehicle’s weight and size.
Three main factors affect the performance of wheel chocks:
- The angle of the road surface, called slope or grade. Parking on an angle greater than 10 degrees increases the risk of the car rolling off or over the chock.
- The size (height) of the wheel chock compared to the wheel height. Extra large wheel chocks are suitable for e.g. parked air craft where wind forces may come into effect.
- The surface slip or friction of the road surface, as the wheel chock may slide downhill due to wet grass or ice. Increasing the size of the wheel chock will not necessary allow the parking on inclines greater than 30% gradient (16.6 degrees).
- Keep in mind, the vehicle most likely will require full stabilization which should include cribbing and struts where necessary. Vehicles like a side resting vehicle or roof resting require struts to stabilize.
Quick Tips
TECH TIP: Shorten the Strap
Often on side resting vehicles, once a strut is placed the fixed end of the ratchet strap is too long to tighten the strut.

Ratchet Strap Handle
Often on side resting vehicles, once a strut is placed the fixed end of the ratchet strap is too long to tighten the strut. First off, if you are using a cluster hook set, use the smallest hook possible. Secondly, if possible use the hook on the fixed end of the ratchet strap. Finally, you can gain approximately 6 inches of space by folding the fixed end strap in half and attaching the hook on the handle as shown in the picture below.