Photo By Gregg Moore | Spc. Park Brooks cuts into the door jamb of a junk car with the Jaws of Life to...... read more read more
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BLUE GRASS ARMY DEPOT, Ky. – Army Reserve Soldiers of the 163rd Ordnance Company from Tustin, California, practiced the “third door conversion” using the Jaws of Life June 9. Firefighters use this technique to make it possible for paramedics to safely pull car accident victims out of a heavily damaged four-door car. The Army firefighters learned several other techniques with the Jaws of Life during their annual training with the Blue Grass Army Depot Fire Department.
“It depends on the car and the situation, every accident is different. Firefighters need to have the flexibility to make a decision on the scene of how they will open the car,” said Brian Snoddy, BGAD firefighter.
Snoddy introduced 163rd Ordnance Company firefighters to the third door conversion. This technique can be used to open up an entire side of a four-door car, making room for emergency medical personnel to stabilize and safely remove injured passengers.
The first step is to assess the situation, which includes checking for injuries to the passengers and damage to the vehicle. If the situation warrants the use of the Jaws of Life, the firefighters next stabilize the vehicles with blocks and let the air out of the tires to minimize movement. They then cover the patient and remove the windows and windshield. Modern automotive glass breaks in a way that typically does not result in sharp and potentially dangerous pieces of glass.
Once the glass is removed and any other potential risks are mitigated, such as side-airbags, the firefighters use a pike tool to gain purchase into a seam of the door jamb. They create enough space for the Jaws of Life to slide into. The jaws amazing strength can then spread or crush the metal, in order to rip apart the door’s hinges and joints. Automobile accidents can result in doors being jammed into the frame, which cannot be opened by human strength alone. The Jaws of Life and other power tools give rescuers the ability to quickly tear apart a car in a safe and controlled manner, saving lives.
The firefighters, using the jaws and other tools such as axes, hooks, picks and saws, make short work of the car doors and reinforced beam between the front and back doors. Ultimately, they fold the entire side of the car down, giving paramedics access to passengers in the front and back seats.
Further action may be needed to help extricate the passengers, such as cutting the braces to the roof so it can be folded back or cutting into the reinforced structure behind the front wheels to roll the dashboard forward, which may be necessary if the driver’s feet are caught up in the pedals.
By practicing the “third door conversion,” Army Reserve firefighters are more prepared to save lives at home and abroad. If you are interested in becoming an Army Reserve firefighter, contact your local recruiter or Army Reserve career counselor.
| Date Taken: | 06.09.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 06.10.2015 21:57 |
| Story ID: | 166211 |
| Location: | BLUE GRASS ARMY DEPOT, KY, US |
| Hometown: | TUSTIN, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 587 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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