Citation

Davies B. Collision 2009; 4(2): 82-85.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Collision Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Accident reconstructionists need to take care not to confuse marks made by emergency personnel in occupant extrication with crash-induced marks. This article provides an overview of the procedures followed at a crash scene by emergency personnel performing an extrication to achieve access to an accident victim. The primary responsibility for the incident commander is the safety of the first responders, followed by getting the patient out as quickly and safely as possible. The most commonly used tools for extrication are the hydraulic cutter, spreader and combination tool. Doors, pillars, and roofs are often damaged in the extrication process. In the interior, dashboards are lifted, seatbelts are cut and seats moved to access the occupant. The accident reconstructionist may want to talk to the incident commander for information on what steps were followed in the extrication, seat belt usage, and original occupant placements. Fire and rescue squads also often take pictures of the scene and extrication for training purposes, and may have photos with the vehicles at rest before extrication operations begin. These photos can be useful for the accident reconstructionist to review.