Steering Wheel Displacement
When an occupant is trapped in a vehicle typically only inches are required to free the occupant. Displacing the steering wheel with the spreaders is a quick and effective technique to free an occupant trapped by the steering wheel. Depending on the seating position and size of the patient, the spreaders may need to be opened enough to pivot around the driver’s leg. First off, always try to utilize the tilt adjustment i the vehicle is equipped with that feature. Always have a rescuer supporting the steering wheel because once the tilt feature in unlocked, the weight of the steering will fall onto the patient. Telescoping steering wheels can provide assistance if the enough travel is left in the steering wheel.
The arm length of the spreaders are important for this technique to work. Small spreaders with short arms may not have a large enough spread to catch the steering column and the rocker panel. Amkus developed larger, Extended Reach Tips that add an additional 8 inches of travel to their spreaders.
This technique is useful for an accident like an under-ride into a semi trailer or vehicle on vehicle. The steering column can be displaced without having to lift the dash. This could eliminate lifting the trailer to gain the space to lift the dash. If the steering hits the under-side of the trailer during displacement, consider cutting the steering wheel ring. Cutting the ring could add inches to your displacement.
I spent a weekend in 2014 in Germany at Rescue Days that the fine folks from Weber Rescue put on every year. (If you love extrication, put Rescue Days on your fire service bucket list of training) The image above and below are outside of the box techniques that are taught by Weber Rescue that are worth storing in your mental tool box.
Heavy Stabilization & Lift Class
This weekend, Toranze Lee and Premier Extrication held their Heavy Stabilization and Lifting class taught. The class focused on advanced techniques using the Paratech equipment, eDraulic tools, grip hoists, vehicle stabilization methods, airbags for lifting, power tools, and the use of heavy wreckers for extrication.
Some of the departments that attended:
The North Carolina Extrication School at Sandhills Fire Training Center was hosted by the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal. Firefighters had the opportunity to learn cutting-edge tactics in the world of vehicle extrication from some of the top instructors in the county.
Heavy Rescue
Large Animal Rescue
Working with their past experince, the Patterson Fire Department’s completed their 4th horse rescue in the past several years.
Horse Rescue
Per the post from the Patterson Fire Department’s Facebook page:
At 0732, 25th of August 2021, the Patterson fire department was dispatched for a public assist to a local farm. Patterson’s heavy rescue, 22-6-1, arrived on scene and found a 31-year-old male horse, named “Dozer”, in distress. He had apparently fallen and managed to get himself stuck between a rock and a fence line. At first, the crew attempted to assist the horse in getting up by shifting his position. It became apparent that additional equipment was going to be needed to help Dozer out since he had become too exhausted to get up on his own. After some discussion, it was established that the best plan of action was to use a Paratech bipod system. It would be used as an artificial high directional with TU-32 griphoist’s assistance to lift the horse up. With a lot of sweat and effort, the crew was able to lift the horse up onto his feet. After some much-needed fluids and rest, we were happy to see Dozer trot away, unassisted.
An interesting fact, this is Patterson Fire Department’s 4th horse rescue in the past several years, all with successful outcomes.
Photos below from Andrew Akin
