Date: 17 Dec 2001 15:39:14 GMT From: davehinznopsamcop.net Subject: Re: EMT's - question for you
Four Weis <mweinopsamcom> pressed random keys until the following was produced: > <snip> >> It's a natural reaction to want to run in and help, but acting in the wrong >> way can cause more harm than it does good. > If the air bags did not activate, there is a danger that the bags could deploy while the rescuer > is working in the car. Yup, we call 'em "loaded airbags". Never had one go off, nor have I talked to anone who has, but they say it's possible. Of equal or greater concern are, for instance, the gas cylinders in some volvos right where we want to notch the roof, (side curtain airbags are filled from a cylinder rather than with the sodium azide reaction like the steering wheel ones; not sure why), or the gas-struts for rear windows/doors/hoods, or the compressed gas bumper-buffers that can get hot & shoot the bumper out at us, or the driveshaft that, if hot enough in a fire, could explode (it's a hollow tube, full of air; allegedly it can expand & cause the shaft to burst), and then of course the gasoline and such. Having an airbag go off in one's face while doing a rescue would be unpleasant, but if it *does* actually happen, I've not heard direct evidence of it. Dave Hinz Firefighter/EMT Any stories from EMTs about this? MDT described a device which would > contain the airbag and protect the technician in case it deployed while working in the car. > Perhaps eager volunteers should be advised. > The training/advice I received while working in the OR was basically that the untrained volunteer > rescuer is at risk for personal injury lawsuits - unless they have current proof of training, such > as CPR certificates. This only applied to injuries resulting CPR - not moving someone with a > broken neck inappropriately. >> >> >> I like the USCOT acronym, by the way ;) >> >> Dave Hinz >> ff/emt
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