The photo illustrates significant vehicle body damage. Consequently, emergency responders should expect decesased occupants or serious occupant injuries and a potentially lengthy extrication time. This car was involved in a high speed accident; the car hit two trees and came to rest against a third tree. This photo was taken in a salvage yard.
Photo by author
1. How will you use your resources?
2. What is your plan to make the scene safe?
3. Access the patient(s)?
4. Extricate the patient(s)?
5. Can you think of additional resources requiring “special call”?
Post your response in the Comments section. Let’s hear what you, and others, think about this extrication challenge!
A few of my thoughts:
1. My resources will be devoted to controlling hazards and determining if there are any survivors.
2. Expect hazardous fluids (gasoline, antifreeze, etc.) to be released in this accident. Are power lines involved? Control the hazards and increase responder safety.
3. Accessing portions of the vehicle to determine if anyone survived (back seat passengers) may be difficult. Tearing and/or cutting away portions of the vehicle may be necessary for access. Also, consider the need to remove the bodies of those not surviving the accident to allow access and/or extrication of survivors.
4. Expect a longer than normal extrication time and more paramedic and patient interaction. The vehicle has extreme body and frame damage. An advanced extrication consideration would be to make selective cuts to the vehicle and allow the frame and body to move, opening up the passenger compartment and allowing for more rapid patient extrication.
5. Special resources I would consider may include persons with advanced extrication knowledge and skills and a tow truck to assist with extrication operations.
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