May-June 2007 Alpine Barona East County El Cajon Grossmont ...

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Todd WelchFirefighterLakeside Fire Protection DistrictR3ATHE IMPORTANCE OF CUTTERSNEW CHALLENGESCreating an insertion point for the spreaders.We’ve all seen the insurance institute’s crash testson the nightly news shows. These tests havehad a ripple effect throughout the auto industry in regardsto occupant safety. As a result of consumerawareness and public outcry, tremendous advances invehicle safety, construction and design have been establishedand enforced through new federal safetystandards and regulations.Auto manufacturers attempt to go above and beyondby competing against one another to see who can designand market the safest vehicle. Metals used in themanufacturing process have become stronger andlighter.Another method of creating an insertion point forthe spreaders.There has been an increase in the strength of the roofpillars for added rollover protection. Lighter metals andplastic composite material on the outside give uniquedesigns and aerodynamics for fuel efficiency.Once the hinges are exposed, the cutters areused.Safety features vary widely from year to year and frommodel to model. The creation of crumple zones increaseoccupant safety and survivability however, theaddition of micro-alloy and boron steel for improvedstrength to weight ratio can make our job tougher togain access. Micro alloy steel has phosphorous addedfor additional strength, and boron steel is stronger thanmicro alloy and typically thicker walled but smaller indiameter.
Door removal can be difficult if the side impact barsmade from these materials become embedded ordriven into the frame of the vehicle in a frontal impactcrash. In this situation, these bars will need to be cut.Another concern is when metal is bent and deformed. Itcreates areas of flexion, tension (stretched), or torsion(twisted) and can retain a memory. These areas need tobe dealt with cautiously due to the rapid release orspring action of the metal when cuts are made.With the door now displaced from the hinges, itcan be easily controlled and quickly removed bysimply operating the door handle.Many of these exotic metals were mandated for lighttrucks, vans, and passenger vehicles 10 years ago. Themetals and materials used in the vehicles today all contributeto the difficult challenges first responders face inthe post crash scenario.CUTTER SELECTIONBecause of these changes in automobile manufacturingand subsequent challenges we now face, hydraulic cuttersand reciprocating saws are playing a more importantrole in auto extrication.Using the same technique on a four-door. With anadded relief cut at the top of the “B” post, thewhole side of the vehicle can be opened up. Herethe firefighter is using the spreader as leverage topull the doors down in one piece.There are many different styles of cutters on the markettoday, from the big mouth chompers, to the small scissorstyle pedal cutter, all playing an important role.Cordless reciprocating and circular saws are becomingmore popular. The speed and mobility of these toolscan provide added efficiency in a demanding situation.Many of the big name hydraulic tool manufacturershave increased their tools cut forces in recent years inorder to meet this growing demand. As far as I’m concernedthere is nothing like having a big bad monsterset of cutters standing by just waiting to git-r-dun.An additional relief cut may be needed at the baseof the “B” post.Cutters are used to either relief, displace or completelyremove certain components or members of the vehiclein order to facilitate greater access. When I choose acutter, I not only look for one with a fair amount of cuttingforce, I also look at the geometry of the blade.Thick blades with a design that will force either the
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Page 58: 7 th Annual Charity Golf ClassicTue

May-June 2007 Alpine Barona East County El Cajon Grossmont ...

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