TO: Extrication instructors, Trainers and
Personnel.
SUBJECT: Mark before you cut.
Due to the increased complexity of automobile
construction and the sophistication of the tools used during
extrication, I feel that there is a need
to be more precise as to where and how actions are taken.
With faster and more powerful tools it takes highly skilled and trained personal to use them. With cars and their safety components becoming more sophisticated and dangerous, it takes more abilities and training to know where to perform the necessary actions. There for I feel it may take a division of assignments to best accomplish the job of Extrication.
Below are some pictures of markers and marking techniques that were tested under actual field conditions.
Stabilization was marked to be placed in front of the "A" post.
Not blocking the door from opening.
The CRIBBING CREW knew just how to build for that location.
Here different color and types of markers were tested on the vehicle
after the extrication was completed.
Conditions were ice, freezing rain, temperature 29 F.
Marking was actually used during this extrication to mark where to make
re-sip cuts.
By the time I had completed the marking
the saws were in action and I was hard pressed to keep up with sharps
covering.
In this case I felt that the marker was as mighty as the saw.
The new Emergency Marker.
The Emergency Marker is currently undergoing testing and should be
available soon.
Marker can be used to mark before you cut , marking safe or unsafe
locations , marking searched locations and more.
Frank Maltese 11-27-02