Training Tips:
50 Questions:
Training Officers are very much like General Practitioners
or Family Physicians. They are
required to have a through understanding of all aspects of Fire and
Rescue. In this issue, we will ask a series of questions to provoke
the thought process and test your general Extrication Knowledge.
1) Power
Units can have 1, 2, 3 or more pumps within the Power Unit assembly.
How many stages are generated by each pump?
Each Pump has 2 Stages.
2) From
a volumetric point of view, relate flow to each stage.
First Stage: High
Volume - Faster speed when opening/closing tools with no
resistance.
Second Stage: Low
Volume - Slower speed when opening/closing tools with resistance.
3) From
a pressure point of view, relate pressure to each stage.
First Stage: Low
Pressure - Faster speed when opening/closing tools with no resistance.
Second Stage: High
Pressure - Slower speed when opening/closing tools with resistance.
4) What
defines High Pressure Tools as being High Pressure? Interior
Maximum Line Pressure: High
Pressure: 10,000 – 11,000 psi
5) What
defines Low Pressure Tools as being Low Pressure? Interior
Maximum Line Pressure: High
Pressure: 5,000 – 5,500 psi
6) Are
High Pressure Tools more Powerful than Low Pressure Tools?
NO: Examples: Holmatro High Pressure 28 Inch Spreader**: 33,625 lbs
TNT High Pressure 28 Inch Spreader**:
32,150 lbs
Hurst LOW PRESSURE 28 Inch Spreader**: 44,000 lbs
** from manufacturers’ literature
7) Describe
5 Elements of Scene Stabilization 1)
Traffic Control – Parking Vehicles in a Fend-Off Defensive Position: 3) Neutralizing Oil/Gas Leaks with
foam or extinguishers or stay-dry 4) Charged
Pumper with minimum 1-1/2” Hand Line 5) Neutralize
Crowd Control, and utilize individuals possessing medical expertise and any others who are able to assist
in other ways if depleted manpower is a concern; 7)
Weather – this may dictate notifying on-coming traffic further in advance;
Wind direction may require setting a command post in the appropriate
location if toxic emissions create immediate or long term danger to
life and health. Weather may dictate laying sand to prevent slippage
when rescuers are working around the scene.
8) What
parameters determine a “Hot Zone?”
A HOT ZONE is typically a 50 foot area around the vehicle where
the patients are trapped and extrication tools are being used. However,
a HOT ZONE can be much larger when we have patients that have been ejected
from the vehicle and we have patient care activity being performed.
Initially when we arrive on scene the HOT ZONE is quite large until
determined otherwise. It is at that time when we can make the HOT ZONE
smaller and then work within the ACTION CIRCLE.
9) In
conducting proximity searches during a Scene Stabilization search, should
we conduct an inner search or outer search first, or does it really
matter?
Theoretically, when we respond from a fire or rescue vehicle,
to get to the final resting position of a vehicle or vehicles, we are
coming from the outside to the inside [the final resting place of the
vehicle(s)]. Therefore we must make sure the outside is safe first (free
of all scene hazards like power lines, etc.) before we look for these
hazards immediately adjacent to the vehicle(s).
10) Disconnecting
the battery is one way to de-energize a non-hybrid vehicle. What is
a second way?
In model years approximately 2000 and newer for virtually all
makes and models, turning the key off and removing it from the ignition
disarms the airbags from inflating when we use the Spreader. This is
most important when spreading the door. Taking the key out of the ignition
eliminates the opportunity for inadvertent air bag (door mounted, seat
mounted and roof curtain mounted) deployment in models 2000 and newer.
11) Is
it possible (without having a fault, short, or defect in workmanship)
to have both frontal air bags deploy without a collision occurring?
Yes. Sensors in vehicles that are post 2000 models activate frontal
air bag deployment by reaching a threshold rate of deceleration. In other words, the closer to instantaneous
the rate of deceleration occurs, the greater the likelihood that frontal
air bag deployment will occur.
This effect was noted in one specific incidence where a driver
was pulling large cedar trees from his front garden with a Brand New
2008 Pick-up. A chain was connected from the truck’s Tow Hitch to the
bottom of the Cedar Trees. The driver inadvertently activated the Driver
Side Frontal Airbag when the truck’s forward momentum was stopped “dead”
by the resistance of one particularly large Cedar Tree.
This activated the Driver’s frontal air bag even though there
was no metal deformation to any part of the vehicle.
We have also observed where side intrusions that stopped the
forward momentum of the side-impacted vehicle have resulted in the deployment
of the frontal air bags within that side-impacted vehicle. 12) Why
do we disconnect a battery other than possible sparking?
To ensure
that the capacitor in the air bag module has powered down. 13) What
concerns do we have, other than those of the patient(s) when cutting
a roof off?
The potential for cutting through an inflatable air curtain cylinder,
and deploying the IC (inflatable curtain) system. 14) How
are roof curtains, seat mounted air bags and door mounted air bags activated? Roof curtains are activated one of two ways, either
from side impact or during rollover accidents. Seat mounted airbags and door mounted airbags are also
deployed one of two ways. Either through side impact or depending on
the make and model year, they will automatically deploy upon frontal
airbag deployment. 15) What
procedure(s) prevents their activation? Either take the key out of the ignition or disconnect
the low voltage (12 Volt) battery. 16) What
is the most common location for Air Bag Inflation Cylinders for Roof
Curtains? The most common location for an air bag cylinder is
in the C Pillar. 17) Second
Most Common Location? The second most common location would be the A Pillar 18) Name
2 Other Possible Locations? The third most common location would be in the Roof
line above the rear window and low on the A Pillar, and if there are
two inflators for a vehicle with 3rd row seating you will
find one just behind the C Pillar and the Second one located in the
D pillar. 19) How
do we readily identify their locations? By stripping the trim from the interior of the A and
C Pillars. 20) Are
there Inflation Air Bag Cylinders in Seats? Yes, it is actually part of the Air Bag assembly 21) Can
a vehicle have only laminated glass in all windows? Yes. An example would be Mercedes Benz (as a deterrent
for theft). 22) In
making access into a vehicle, which unbroken glass do we typically break
and remove first? The furthest piece of unbroken glass from the patient.
23) What
are the best devices for breaking tempered glass? A Center Punch or similar device. 24) What
are the worst devices for breaking tempered glass? Halogan Tool, Pry Axe, Axe, Straight Screw Drivers,
Windshield wiper arms. 25) What
are the best devices for removing laminated glass? Glass Master Tool, Reciprocating Saw. 26) What
are the recognized methods of creating a purchase point? Using Hand Tools, such as halogen tool, Pry Axe, Hydraulic
Spreaders 27) What
technique works 100% of the time? Using a Hydraulic Spreader and placing it between the
door line and the roof line at approximately a 60 Degree angle, using
the roof line (including upper A Pillar) as your strength and the door
line as your weakness to draw the door open and out of the way to expose
the Nader bolt and/or Hinge, both of which can then be cut or further
spread (remember, if you are spreading off the upper
A Pillar, strip the Trim to ensure you are not spreading against a pressurized
IC Cylinder).
28) What
are the 3 Typical Types of Displacement evolutions we employ when extricating
trapped patients? 1) Roof Displacement (remove roof); 2)
Side Displacement (remove 1 Door, 2 Doors or 2 Doors and B Pillar).
3) Dash Displacement. 29) Why
is roof peeling less beneficial than full roof removal? When peeling
a roof back on a vehicle you may need to dedicate 1 rescuer to holding
the roof and this removes one rescuer from assisting in extrication
or patient care. If you choose to tie the roof off you may now require
2 rescuers to perform this time-consuming evolution. Ultimately performing
a total roof removal is not only safer, it also frees the rescuers to
assist in patient care. It also creates more space to provide medical
assistance for the patient. 30) When
is roof peeling more beneficial than full roof removal? When it is not practical to complete a total roof removal
(as an example if manpower is very limited). 31) What
are 2 Tools than can be used to displace a dash? 1) A HURST Hydraulic Spreader. 2) A Hurst Hydraulic Ram (or a combination of
both).. 32) What
Tool is the most effective for Dash Displacements? A Hydraulic Ram. 33) Why
is this tool more effective? Because you can actually move the dash farther away
from the patient with a Ram than you can while lifting it with a Spreader.
This is because a Ram has a
Horizontal Component (direction) of Force as well as vertical component
(direction) while a Spreader almost entirely has only a vertical component
(direction) of force. 34) A Cutter
with 236,000 pounds of Cutting Force is always better than a Cutter
possessing only 85,000 pounds of Cutting Force? False: At
the deepest part of all cutters is the “notch.” This is the most powerful
part of the Cutter. If a cutter that possesses 236,000 pounds of cutting
force has long blades and is only able to cut an object at the tips
of the cutter Blades, the less powerful cutter may actually be more
effective in this application. Blade Geometry and Blade Linkages (resulting
in more effective blade overlapping) often compensate in cutters that
have less Raw cutting forces. 35) Apart
from the actual Cutting Force, what variables determine the likelihood
for completing a successful cut? Again, from #34, the Blade Geometry and Linkages are
important. In addition, the actual make-up of the blades is important
(are the blades made of a Shock-Resistant, Quadruple Forged Tool Steel
as is Hurst, or are they made of a Cast or Plate Metal (as found in
other manufacturers). In addition, the higher
safety factor of the lines (4:1 of the Hurst Hydraulic Lines)
makes for a speedier cut while the lower safety factor (2:1 of the Hydraulic
Lines of some manufacturers) makes for a slower cut to completion. 36) True
or False: Spreaders open linearly?
False – Spreaders open in an Arc Pattern.
37) True
or False: Rams open linearly? True 38) True
or False: Cutters can lose
as much as half their mechanical advantage (or more) when cutting at
the tips of the blades versus the inner notch. True 39) True
or False: Once a cutter stops
moving and the cut stops, full pressure on the power unit is reached? False. You need
to hold the actuator for up to 10 seconds to allow the second stage
to engage and allow the pressure to build up and continue cutting the
material. 40) True
or False: When performing
a dash displacement, the roof must be either peeled or removed? False. Only
the top of the A Pillar needs to be cut. In addition, the A Pillar should
be completely cut between the 2 Hinges, and the Upper Fender Rail should
be cut between the Shock Tower and the Dash. 41) Performing
a Dual Ram Push (2 rams pushing simultaneously – one on each “A” Post)
is more effective than a single Ram Push on one side? False: The Transverse Beam is connected from one A
Pillar to the other A Pillar and is designed to provide side impact
protection. In newer vehicle design, the transverse beam is fastened
to the floor at the center console area.
When using 2 Rams you WILL get movement on both sides of the
vehicle. However, as the Transverse Beam is tied to the center console
area, the second Ram provides no added benefit to the area where the
patient is actually trapped (unless there are actually 2 patients trapped).
The dash actually bends in a U Shape because of the effect of the Dual
Ram Push off both A Pillars. 42) When
Spreading a Door off, regardless of being hinge side or Nader bolt side,
the effectiveness of the spread is enhanced if we angle the tips: a)
Upwards; b) Downwards; c) Parallel to the ground? Downwards. If working on the driver’s door, nader
bolt side, place the right tip slightly higher (against the B Pillar)
than the left tip (against the door or door’s window frame so that the
plane of the tips is approximately 10 degrees downward (right to left).
We also want to be a few inches higher than the nader bolt latch assembly,
possibly even into the window frame area. With this downward plane,
the Spreader will easily “Roll” the nader Bolt off the latch mechanism
as opposed to stretching the assembly apart – a tougher challenge. 43) What
is the advantage of breaking the Valve Stems during Vehicle Stabilization? By removing the valve stem you allow the suspension
to relax and the vehicle will sit on the cribbing and become part of
the ground. This allows the
rescuers to spend quality time extricating and not checking what has
already been done. Do it once do it right! 44) You
arrive on scene, and you are facing a MVA involving a Hybrid vehicle.
How can we be sure that High Voltage Power is contained at the High
Voltage Battery? Following the identification of the HV Vehicle, put
the vehicle in Park, apply the parking brake and then take the Key out
of the ignition. Check to see that the green light has gone off on the
dash in the instrument panel. 45) What
is referred to as the “Sleep Mode” of a Hybrid Vehicle? The Sleep mode is when the car is powered up in the
HV mode and can be driven up to 40km/hr. 46) Why
do we perform a Total Side Removal (both doors and “B” Post are removed)? Performing a total side removal allows for the greatest
access for EMS and the largest amount of space created for egress. It
is also the quickest way of removing both side doors and the B post.
47) How
can a Total Side Removal Hurt us in subsequent evolutions? We will remove the B Pillar and this eliminates the use
of the base of the “B” Pillar as a possible push point.
48) What
is referred to as the Coefficient of Elasticity in Hydraulic Hose Lines? This is the factor of expansion that the hose will
allow when the pressure has built up while under pressure. 49) How
does the Coefficient of Elasticity directly affect performance of the
Tools? The higher the coefficient of elasticity, or stated
differently - the more elastic the hose walls are -the lower the safety
factor of the hose. The more
elastic the hydraulic are, longer it will take for a cut to be completed.
Hose lengths that are 100 foot long take significantly longer to reach
full pressure with a lower safety factor. 50) In
performing a Dash Displacement what are the critical “relief cuts” that
we try to make? 1) The top of the A Pillar. 2) The mid portion
of the A Pillar between the upper and lower hinges - in both directions.
3) The upper fender rail between the Shock tower and the dash (on cars).
When dealing with Vans, the same cuts apply to the A Pillar, however,
the upper fender rail can be cut in front of the shock tower due to
the location of the tower being so close to the dash. |
| If you find
these questions beneficial, please, please let us know. We can do a second
or third instalment of these, BUT only if there is enough feedback. |