EMERGENCY RESPONSE & HYBRID INFORMATION

Thanks...

So, I print this out, and when I'm in a big pileup, I hold this doc out the window as my body goes into shock while waiting for the EMT's to show up. Not a bad plan..

Somehow, I was hoping for them to already know how to handle the hybrid, but I bet it's no where near 100% in August 2006.

Maybe August 2010 this will be common training for EMT's.

 

Why bother handing the guide out of the window? I'm going to laminate mine and tape it to the outside of the car. That way the EMT's will have something to read while they wait for me to crawl out on my own.

 

I am in the news business and meet with the PIO of the local fire department on a regular basis. After we got our Prius, I printed up a first responders guide and gave it to her to pass along to the training academy. I hope they never need it, but at least they'll have it.

Cheers, Mi3ke

 

Fire departments already have this information, because most cars have air bags, explosive seat-belt tensioners, and other "booby traps" that can injure or kill rescuers.

Since they constantly update their onboard rescue information, I'm not going to bother downloading a copy.

 

Thanks, Rufaro, for your interest in educating emergency responders about the Prius. As a fire department paramedic of 23 years, I can say that many responders - paid and volunteer - are familiar with the Prius. But some - paid and volunteer - are not. As much and as fast as vehicles and rescue technology change, it's a challenge to keep up. You're right - it could be life-saving. At the least, if your local department doesn't have this information, they should find it informative. Or (sadly) they might snub you, but you will have tried.

Frankly, I'm disappointed in some of the smart-aleck responses here.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daronspicher @ Aug 2 2006, 08:20 AM) [snapback]296179[/snapback]</div>

The technical side of vehicle rescue is not part of most basic EMT training courses. Vehicle rescue is a speciality of sorts and is typically taught in a separate training course. EMT training consists mostly of patient care skills. Though a rescue truck with vehicle rescue-trained personnel may be on the way, the initial responding vehicle(s) may have only basic EMTs.

Jim

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rufaro @ Aug 4 2006, 09:49 PM) [snapback]298134[/snapback]</div>

Hey Susan:
Don’t let the Darwinian candidates bother you, after all…when it was raining brains some people were holding umbrellas.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rufaro @ Aug 3 2006, 12:49 AM) [snapback]296806[/snapback]</div>

I did just that, I downloaded and printed a couple copies of the manual as well as burn all of them on a CD and gave it to our local fire chief. He was quite gratefull and told me they had training on dealing with hybrids in an accident but still had many questions. He then asked if I could bring the car to one of their weekly training sessions so everyone in the dept could check it out. I did so, but told them the "Jaws of Life" stays on the shelf! :lol:

I live in a small town of 6000 but on a major highway but with a small FD, they are quite happy to get all the info they can, and there are several hybrids in town allready (3 Prius, 1 Insight), plus several dozen a day on the highway.

 

Regardless of everyone's responses here, there are a few facts that bear mentioning:

- In probably 90% of accidents, the driver will be conscious and able to advise rescuers that the car will not electrocute anyone unless they do silly things.

- In most accidents, driver and passengers can exit the vehicle without rescuers cutting or breaking-in to the vehicle. Whether they get out under their own power is not the point here; the main thing is that it's unnecessary to use the jaws of life or anything else.

- Any agency using tools to extricate occupants will have the proper documentation and training to avoid detonating air bags, seat belt tensioners, etc. Attempting a "destructive" rescue from a car can injure and kill the occupants and rescuers.

- Passersby and unskilled rescuers should not be dragging occupants from cars anyway: this risks causing greater injuries. (Unless the car is burning or in other imminent greater danger.)

- In a serious accident requiring extrication of a vehicle occupant, a responding police car will not have extrication equipment (except perhaps seatbelt cutter and glass breaking hammer). The officer will call for expert help. An ambulance will not have this equipment either; their job is to provide medical assistance and transport people to a hospital.

So, there's no personal attacks here. I just feel that the facts make it unnecessary, in most cases, for Prius owners to provide extra material to rescue agencies.

And, of course, any sensible rescue agency should immediately check with their official sources to obtain the "proper" Prius information. They shouldn't trust something that someone hands them. (It's too easy for someone to just make up a document that looks good. Remember, we're talking life-threatening situations here.)

If handing them this info prompts them to realize "Gee, we should get the Prius data," then you've done a useful service. But if they didn't have the info, then the next question is what they're doing to people in other cars...

"Careful with that axe, Eugene..."

 

Thanks for the info... I am going to add it to our training library.

I'm a Rescue Lieutenant and training officer for the Nokesville Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department in Prince William County, Virginia. We had a few technicians come from the Honda and Toyota dealers to go over the vehicle safety features and show us, heaven forbid, where to cut and where not to cut if we need to extricate someone from the Prius, Insight or Civic Hybrid. There are trade magazines and addendums to training materials soley on Hybrids. This data mentioned in the thread will help train then newer members that may have missed the techs.

Of the 3500+ calls we run a year, I have yet to see a Hybrid involved in an accident, however as they become more popular, it is inevitable. I do have some advice for those that may become involved in an accident. If it is a fender bender, get as far away as possible for your own safety. If you feel any pain what-so-ever, stay in the vehicle unless it is unsafe to do so. This is for your own protection, stay as still as possible and wait for help to arrive. If you need help exiting the vehicle and you can remember, please tell the first responders, firefighters and EMTs that you are in a Hybrid, especially as they become options more streamlined cars like the Camry, Highlander, etc. If you are able, hit the power button or turn off the power as appropriate. And lastly become informed yourself. Know where the high voltage components are (the ORANGE BITS) and know where your battery (12 volt) is. The first thing a firefighter will do is cut the battery cable to disable airbags and the like. (More FFs and EMTs injured by airbags than just about anything else) In the Prius it is in the back of the car. As stated above, not all responders are trained to the same level so help them help you.

For what is is worth, I live not to far from the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety). They are the folks that crash cars for a living to see how we would survive. Members of our department went there for a tour and they happened to be testing a 2006 Prius. It fared very well and you will be happy to know that at no time were the high voltage components compromised.

My 2 cents...
Tad

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rufaro @ Aug 7 2006, 07:05 PM) [snapback]299392[/snapback]</div>

They're still going to wait for someone to arrive with the jaws of life tools. And those folks will have the proper information. Hopefully the jaws arrive in time to save the car's occupants.

I live in a small town of 6000, 30 minutes from the nearest hospital.