[SQUAD1CHIEF]

[XTRUCKBOSS3]

Squad1Chief,


I thought I read in your original unedited post that the extrication was done by ESU and you were questioning about vehicle stabilization at this incident? Is that correct? If so, maybe the moderators could move the question to the notebook so it can be more thoroughly discussed and we can hear different opinons and ideas of vehicle stabilization,or lack there of.

[Rant Boss]

Good idea to split the thread for discussion on tactics and procedures.

Let's make it constructive and do it without trashing other agencies or departments.

[FFtech423]

I was on the call and we immediately went and stabilized when we arrived on scene. PD ESU was working already on getting the patient out w/the tool and completed the extrication with the help of our brothers from Massapequa who were standing by at our HQ right after the job we had.

[Goin2work]

Stabilize, Stabilize, Stabilize.. Whether its pulling out the valve stems on the tires,or putting step chocks (not step's bicycle)under the car.. Get it stabilized, whether your ESU or FD, it's for our own safety if anything.. Also remember to watch out for those undeployed airbags...

[62IRONS]

Does everyone use step-chocks or do they use some other form of stabalization? The problem I found with using step-chocks is that when placing them on the inside side of the tire they get in the pathway of the swing of the door. Anyone have any tips because placing them on the outside side of the door often just leaves the fender and bumper to stablize which obviously doesn't work very well.

[Signal 12]

Invert them and force them under the rocker panel, so that more of the chock is under the 'fender' area, rather the door itself. 4x4 wedges should be kept with the step chocks. Initially (4) step chocks and (4) 4x4 wedges should be taken to 'get started'. Special circumstances require box cribbing, etc. We have step chocks and wedges with the tool, and milk crates which hold regular 4x4's, wedges and plates in a seperate compartment.

[Ericb410]

about every month in Firehouse Magazine Ron Moore writes a column called "University of Extrication" In his articles he goes into details about different stabilization methods, different way of going about extrication, dealing with hybrids and problems you might run into during the extrication. I would highly recommend his articles some of them can be found here..http://cms.firehouse.com/content/sec...p?sectionId=19

When I took Vehicle Accident Extrication @ the FSA in October i teamed up with Jericho, they used stabilizers that auto set them selves, you put it under the rocker panel and it would stabilize the car very well, I am not sure what they were called but maybe someone from Jericho could fill us in, they worked much better than inverting a step chock.

[Gunsnhoses]

anyone else out there have the PowerHawk AutoCrib System?

[xpdfd]

The Auto-Crib is amazing it works on a spring loaded system. You place the Auto-Crib underneath the rocker panel and lift the car it automatically sets itself. Very easy to use and very effective. The most important thing in extrication is Safety and Speed Auto-Crib never puts your members in danger and sets in seconds.

[Gunsnhoses]

it is quick and takes up less space but i'm not to thrilled about the whole spring deal...we've had them for a few months and i've been using them alot during drill, like them for lifting operations, but not to impressed at the mva's with exception of space saved.

[Navy076996]

Struts anyone?

[Tower_Goes!]

ParaTech struts are great. Overturned autos, Autos on there sides, Tractor trailers, anything you can think of. With many different tips, and bases you can stabilize anything you need more than a car on its wheels that its.

[The Specialist]

Originally Posted by Gunsnhoses

it is quick and takes up less space but i'm not to thrilled about the whole spring deal...we've had them for a few months and i've been using them alot during drill, like them for lifting operations, but not to impressed at the mva's with exception of space saved.

I've seen these demo'd at trade shows, and they seem like a great idea. Whats not thrilling about the whole spring deal? I thought that is what sets them apart from everything else and makes them so easy to use. Seems they would save alot of time and effort at an MVA and since they are sping loaded they reset themselves if the load lifts suddenly, like when you drop a dash or off the roof. Any one else use these spring loaded auto cribs?

[underthedome]

Res-Q-jacks

[MFD594]

Paratech struts for us, very versatile, stable, and easy/quick to set up.

Dont forget the ever-versatile cargo strap!

Also Sig 12's "step chock upside down" trick is a good one for vehicles "right side up"...

FirstOnScene : photos : Malverne - Southern State - 07/14/2008- powered by SmugMug

For those "upside down"...



Or for cars lower to the ground, use 2x4's then pull the tire's valve stems....

When all else fails, a truck-mounted winch or 3 point system or a "come-along" will stabilize a vehicle in a "precarious" poisition while ya do what ya gotta do.

Just remember, stablization is key for a safe operation, but there are a lot of "quick fixes"- dont spend "hours" on setting up elaborate set-ups- sometimes the simplest things work the best!

Plenty of good tricks out there, see what you can "invent" the next time ya cut up a junk car @ drill.