The Jaws of Life are an important tool in every fire department's arsenal. Ideally, these are cut-resistant to protect firefighters from protruding glass and metal, but also provide enough tactile feedback to allow them to recognize what they are touching when vision is impaired from low light, obstructions, smoke or rain. Reinforced elbows and knees to increase padding when having to crawl and maneuver around an accident scene to extricate victimsįirefighters also need solid extrication gloves.Fire-resistant in case situations become perilous.Reflective areas to alert oncoming traffic and keep firefighters safe.Lightweight material to increase flexibility.However, they also have to keep safety top of mind. The goal of extrication suits is to allow firefighters optimal mobility and flexibility to react as situations change. Unlike standard fire gear, when performing an extrication, firefighters need PPE. ![]() A combination tool can shave precious seconds off a rescue, lessening the chance of harm or stress to a victim. That’s where rams come in, where a sturdy metal alloy rod is pressed forward to punch or ram apart sections of an accident that may be pinning a victim down and preventing their extrication.Ĭombination Tools: Instead of carrying multiple tools around, combination tools allow firefighters to use one device to both cut and spread damaged areas and extricate victims. Rams: While creating openings are important, there are times when a firefighter needs to dislodge parts of wreckage, like a steering column or a dashboard. Using immense hydraulic pressure, they cut through metals to remove damaged and dangerous obstructions, allowing openings for firefighters to extricate victims. Like a pair of reversed scissors, spreaders start in a closed position and apply outward force, moving apart steel and fiberglass frames with ease, giving victims the space to be removed from a hazard.Ĭutters: A more efficient version of the old-school circular saws and the opposite of spreaders, cutters operate like scissors on steroids. Spreaders: Hydraulic spreaders are primarily used for compressed car frames and other damaged and collapsing structures. Each serves a vital function in the extrication process. The Jaws of Life has four main types of hydraulic rescue tools: spreaders, cutters, rams and combination tools. Oil can be used in many types of hydraulic equipment, but because oil is extremely flammable, the Jaws of Life typically use phosphate ester fluid, which is both non-flammable and does not conduct electricity. Most hydraulic equipment uses some sort of incompressible fluid, or fluid at its maximum density to help create optimal force. Instead of an hour or more extricating a victim, the Jaws of Life can remove a car roof in roughly two minutes. A gasoline or electrical power source pushes hydraulic fluid into the first piston, which then drives down the second piston and applies immense pressure into the tool quickly. The Jaws of Life tool uses a piston system, not dissimilar from a car engine. While Hurst tools are the only hydraulic tools officially named Jaws of Life, the term is colloquially used to describe many brands of hydraulic rescue tools. The Hurst hydraulic tools were praised because they were able to quickly extricate accident victims and snatch them from the “jaws of death.” This led to the nickname "Jaws of Life," which was then registered as a trademark by Hurst. ![]()
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