Blog
Read the blog posts of experts travelling the world to train and exchange knowledge with rescuers from all nationalities.
-
Extrication Training: Repetition vs Complexity
06 Oct 2017Having been involved with the fire service for 25 years, mostly as a firefighter and the last 15 in sales and training for vehicle extrication, I have come to realize there are no absolutes. I have...
-
Options versus Safety: The Use of Spreaders for Lifting
15 Sep 2017There is a saying in English that goes ‘there is more than one way to skin a cat’. Animal lovers don’t be alarmed, it simply means there is always more than one way of achieving your objective. In...
-
Multiple Vehicle / Multiple Casualty Incidents
11 Sep 2017Multiple vehicle and multiple casualty incidents are thankfully rare but do happen. In my career, I attended three such incidents and for two of those three, I was on the first vehicle in attendance...
-
Electric Vehicles - Update
28 Aug 2017There was a time when I thought electric vehicles (EV’s) would be nothing more than a passing phase. With range (travel distance), price and lack of infrastructure (charging points) being major issues...
-
New Car Technology: Re-think the Risk
14 Aug 2017I have just had the absolute pleasure of spending some time delivering training to doctors and paramedics from the Northwest Air Ambulance (@NWairambulance on Twitter) in the UK. Amongst the topics I...
-
Motorsports and extrication equipment
14 Jul 2017I am now half way through my first season as part of the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) Extrication Team. The BTCC is the most popular motorsports in the UK and has a 60-year heritage. It has...
-
Truck Incidents
03 Jul 2017Incidents involving trucks remain a topic that is very often discussed when it comes to vehicle extrication. In recent blogs, I have talked about how experience breeds confidence and competence with...
-
Is Biggest Always Best?
07 Jun 2017There will always be debates about rescue equipment and more precisely, which tools are important. In recent blogs, I have talked about rams and our general reticence to engage with them to a point of...
-
The Psychological Effects of Rescue
29 May 2017May 8th - 14th 2017 was Mental Health Awareness Week (UK) and I figured that now would be the perfect opportunity to briefly talk about the mental aspects of vehicle extrication and rescue in general...
-
Cross Ramming
12 May 2017In my last blog I discussed two key medical issues facing rescuers on scene; the need to preserve breath and blood. In the very worst of impacts, where damage is severe, getting access to your patient...