Rescue vehicle means a motor vehicle which is equipped with rescue, fire, or life support equipment used to assist and rescue persons in emergencies or support emergency personnel in the performance of their duties.

1. Barry Kidd 2010 1
Vehicle Extrication

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Overview
What is Vehicle Extrication?
• EMR’s role in extrication
• The different groups involved in
vehicle extrication
• Hazards involved in extrication
• Types of extrication
• Airbags

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Vehicle Extrication
The process of
removing
patient(s) from a
vehicle who have
been involved in an
accident

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Vehicle Extrication
Why is vehicle extrication an
important skill?
 Since NO TWO accidents are the
same, it is important to possess the
knowledge required to extricate
patients quickly and safely

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Vehicle Extrication
Remember…
The important thing when
approaching a motor vehicle crash
(MVC) is:
 DO NOT put yourself in a position
where you can be injured!!
􀃎 PERSONAL SAFETY!!

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Role of the Emergency Medical
Responder
Remember, use what resources are
available to you!
If you are alone on scene, your
FIRST PRIORITY is you and your
patients safety!!

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Role of the Emergency Medical
Responder
Once scene safety has been
determined, several things must be
accomplished:
 Assess Scene
 Assess Vehicle Damage
 Attempt to gain access to patient
 Provide treatment to patient
 Control Scene

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Assess Scene
 Ensure scene safety!!
 Determine mechanism of injury
 Determine number of patients involved
 Is there a need for additional resources:
 Additional ambulances
 Fire Department
 Police

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Assess Vehicle Damage
Damage to the vehicle, is an effective to determine what
injuries a patient may have received.
For example, if most of the damage is to the driver’s side
door, what injuries will the patient likely have?
 Fractured Pelvis
 Fractured Ribs
 Spinal Injuries
 Extremity Injuries
Assessing vehicle damage is especially important, if the
patient is unconscious or you have a small child who is
unable to communicate

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Assess Vehicle Damage

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Attempt to Gain Access to
Patient
Vehicles which are involved in Motor
Vehicle Crashes (MVC), may be in any
position.
Before trying to access any patients,
ensure the vehicle is stable, and there are
no dangerous fluids leaking
If any dangers are present, WAIT for the
fire department to arrive!

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Attempt to Gain Access to
Patient

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Attempt to Gain Access to
Patient
If the vehicle is
safe, try to reach
the patient(s) via
simple access
Open car doors, it
is important to try
all doors!

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Attempt to Gain Access to
Patient
Enter through
windows. Make
sure to clear away
all glass from the
frame before
entering the
vehicle!

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Provide Treatment to Patient
Once you have gained access to the
patient, the first thing you should do
is
CONTROL C-SPINE

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Control Scene
If you are unable to gain access to
the patient, or there is more then
two EMRs on scene, it is your
responsibility to ensure the scene
around the vehicle is safe for the
patient

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Groups Involved in Vehicle
Extrication
Police, Fire (EMO),
and Ambulance
work together to
control the scene,
extricate the
patient, and
provide
appropriate
emergency care

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Hazards Involved in Extrication
The following list of hazards are important
to be aware of, when dealing with a motor
vehicle crash (MVC):
 Vehicle
 Traffic
 Weather
 Other (H.O.M.E.)

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Vehicle Hazards
Several hazards can originate from the
vehicle while assessing the scene you need
to watch for:
 Leaking fluids - Battery Acid, Gasoline
 Unstable vehicle
 Charged Bumper – difficult to determine,
avoid working near bumpers if possible

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Traffic Hazards
If a Motor Vehicle
Crash (MVC) occurs
on a highway or any
other busy road, it is
important to remain
as visible as possible.
Wear bright clothing
to increase your
chances of being
seen!

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Weather Hazards
Extremes in weather can pose a
serious threat to both the EMR and
the patient.
Exposure to heat or cold can be a
serious threat.
Attempt to keep the patient and
yourself as warm or cool as possible

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Other Hazards
Structures such as
power lines, gas
lines etc. that have
been struck by a
vehicle can pose a
threat to the EMR
and the patient.
NEVER approach a
vehicle that may
be in contact with
a downed line!!

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Types of Extrication
Types of extrication are dictated
mostly by either the condition of the
patient, or the condition of the
vehicle.
There are generally two types of
extrication used in the pre-hospital
setting:
 Kendrick Extrication Device (KED)
 Rapid Extrication

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Kendrick Extrication Device
(KED)
One of the most under
used pieces of spinal
equipment.
All EMRs are trained
to use the KED and it
is important be well
practiced and familiar
with this device

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Rapid Extrication

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Rapid Extrication
First Step:
 Maintain manual C-spine
Second Step:
 Move patient into a neutral, in-line
position
Third Step:
 􀃎Measure and apply C-collar

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Rapid Extrication
Fourth Step:
 Place spine board under patient as far as
possible
Fifth Step:
 Move patient on to spine board
Sixth Step:
 Maintain C-spine throughout the process

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Airbags
Typically vehicles have three sensors
that detect rapid deceleration during
a collision.
At least two out of three sensors
must be activated for the airbag to
deploy

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Airbags
EMRs and other EMS practitioners need to
be aware of:
 If there is significant damage to the front
end of the vehicle, and the airbag has not
deployed, NEVER position yourself
between the steering column and the
patient
Serious injury or DEATH can
occur if struck by an airbag

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Airbags
Did you know…
 Many newer vehicles may have up
to 10 airbags!
 An airbag can generate enough
force to propel a 200 pound person
six feet off the ground!
 Airbags deploy at a speed of 200
mph or 320km/hr!

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Airbags

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Airbags

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Conclusion
 What is Vehicle Extrication?
 What is an EMRs role in extrication?
 What are the different groups involved
in vehicle extrication?
 What are the hazards involved in
extrication?
 What are the two types of extrication?
 What are airbags?

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ANY QUESTIONS?