Posted on 11/04/2005 8:39:30 AM PST by Ben Mugged
Responding to the need to protect rescue workers from electical dangers when extricating victims from hybrid electric vehicles, Hurst has introduced a new specialized rescue tool. Similar in power and construction to other popular Jaws of Life hydraulic spreaders and cutters the new Cen SC14 Fi Combination tool and the Cen C9 Fi Cutter boast unique electrical current insulation providing extra safety for rescuers when cutting charged parts of all kinds. The tools are being sold under the Hurst Centaur brand.
As sales of hybrid vehicles rise rapidly, rescue crews are increasingly exposed to accidents involving the fuel-efficient vehicles. And with up to 500 volts running through some wires in the vehicles, as opposed to 12 volts in traditional cars, there is a growing concern that rescue workers are at risk when extricating victims at an accident scene. It is this concern that prompted the engineers at Jaws of Life to develop a rescue tool designed to meet the challenges of dealing with electrically charged components.
"There is a real need for rescue workers to take extra precautions when dealing with hybrid vehicles," states Bob Linster, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Hurst. "At Hurst, we believe we have a responsibility to manufacture tools that not only save the lives of victims but that also protect the lives of the emergency responders."
(Excerpt) Read more at theautochannel.com ...
I am on a paid on call department. WE have had to purchase a 400 page guide outlining the details of hundreds of vehicles. WE will have to be careful that the accident victims don't see us paging through this resource material. In the old days extrcation was fairly straight forward, no more.
BUMP!
Vol Fire Guy here, we have already had training on the cars, JUST DON'T CUT THE CABLE!!!!!!!!!!!
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