Extricating accident victims is more dangerous in this day and age?

Published

Specializes in retired from healthcare.

I hear rumors about modern day cars which now ALL have power locks and windows. From what I hear about it, it's dangerous and complicated to extricate people out of these cars.

The paramedics have to know exactly how to go about it. From what I understand, it was more simple in the old days. Is this the real truth or my own misconception?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Department.

It's not so much about the power locks/doors and electric windows, though those can be an issue if the door has to be opened by using a "slim-jim" or other such device instead of popping the side window. I worry more about the side-impact airbags that may suddenly deploy during an extrication if the body of the vehicle has to be cut.

It's been a few years since I've been involved with extrication, but another problem is the very high voltages and currents that are possible with the battery banks in electric and hybrid vehicles. It wouldn't be a good day to be electrocuted by a high voltage DC current while extricating someone from such a car...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency.

Yep, it's the airbags. Even if the battery is disconnected, it's possible for deployment

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Years ago we didn't have the equipment to extricate ie: the JAWS of life. Now there are other dangers....why do you ask?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Outpatient Psychiatry.

It has grown more complex. I don't keep up with the latest issues anymore since I haven't extricated anyone circa 2007. However, some issues then were gas issues behind bumpers (blowing up), magnesium engine components (doesn't mix with water) in a car fire, and side curtain air bags (going off on you).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Education.

There is a higher risk to first responders these days. However, there's also more training to teach the first responders how to work around airbags that haven't deployed, especially in a situation that will require more than just opening the vehicle door. First step is always to disconnect the car battery, and hope that the capacitors for the airbags aren't ones that take a good 30 minutes to lose charge...I believe - but don't quote me on this, I haven't been on a rescue for a few years now - that the average is 2 minutes. On the extrications that I've been on, that was taken up by the rescue team setting up the rest of their equipment and making sure that the vehicle is stable. (Scene safety!)

However, I'm of the firm opinion that it's being made as safe as possible for the patient and the responders by the car companies releasing information about the vehicles and how to best cut them apart as quickly and safely as possible, plus constant continuing education for the responders. And like I said, all my information is a few years old. I stopped working as a medic when I started nursing school.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Outpatient Psychiatry.
It has grown more complex. I don't keep up with the latest issues anymore since I haven't extricated anyone circa 2007. However, some issues then were gas issues behind bumpers (blowing up), magnesium engine components (doesn't mix with water) in a car fire, and side curtain air bags (going off on you).

I must have had a slip, lol. When I was referring to gas issues behind bumpers I wasn't referring to gasoline. I'm writing about the gas shock absorbers behind most bumpers. They can (and do) explode with fire. Car fires are a hazard in and of themselves. With extrication, the problems largely revolve around air bag deployment and instability.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency.

Engineering definitely changed the game for EMS and fire. One thing I noticed over the course of my EMS career was that I started to see vehicles with more damage, requiring more extrication effort, but not necessarily worse injuries. The advent of crumple zones seemed, anecdotally anyway, to leave people less injured but more stuck.

Plus everything already mentioned with batteries and airbags and such...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency.

Cars demolished, everybody walking around talking in their cellphones.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Adult and Pediatric Vascular Access, Paramedic.

It has to do more with the new "hybrid cars" and the higher number of airbags we are now dealing with, since airbags have been known to deploy AFTER and accident. I had a partner that almost lost his head a few years ago because he was leaning in talking with the patient with his head next to the steering wheel and as soon as he thankfully came out of the car to talk to me the airbag deployed! The cars are also getting better with the ways they add more medal rods in the door to protect people in a t-bone accident....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
It has to do more with the new "hybrid cars"

What is it about people who drive Prius's? It seems to me like they're all bad drivers. They drive like grannies. Really super frustrating to drive around.

I always die a little inside when I get stuck behind one.

Wow, I just posted something really opinionated and potentially offensive! Time to go to bed.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Adult and Pediatric Vascular Access, Paramedic.

LOL, I didn't mean because hybrid drivers are bad drivers... I meant because the batteries in those vehicles are more volatile, but thanks for the laugh! :sneaky:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion