Rescue Tool for Hybrid vehicles

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First Rescue Tools Designed for Improved Safety in Hybrid Vehicle Rescues are Introduced by Hurst Centaur

SHELBY, N.C.--Nov. 2, 2005--Responding to the need to protect rescue workers from electical dangers when extricating victims from hybrid electric vehicles, Hurst has introduced a new specialized rescue tool.

Similar in power and construction to other popular Jaws of Life hydraulic spreaders and cutters the new Cen SC14 Fi Combination tool and the Cen C9 Fi Cutter boast unique electrical current insulation providing extra safety for rescuers when cutting charged parts of all kinds. The tools are being sold under the Hurst Centaur brand.

As sales of hybrid vehicles rise rapidly, rescue crews are increasingly exposed to accidents involving the fuel-efficient vehicles. And with up to 500 volts running through some wires in the vehicles, as opposed to 12 volts in traditional cars, there is a growing concern that rescue workers are at risk when extricating victims at an accident scene. It is this concern that prompted the engineers at Jaws of Life to develop a rescue tool designed to meet the challenges of dealing with electrically charged components.

"There is a real need for rescue workers to take extra precautions when dealing with hybrid vehicles," states Bob Linster, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Hurst. "At Hurst, we believe we have a responsibility to manufacture tools that not only save the lives of victims but that also protect the lives of the emergency responders."

The Cen SC14 Fi Combination tool and the Cen C9 Fi Cutter tool are safer for an object voltage of 1500 V DC or 1000 AC. All tool components coming in contact with the operator, such as handles, valves and actuators, are covered with non-conductive insulated materials. What's more, the insulation reacts to electrical exposure visually. Both tools are lightweight and compact and possess the easy operation features popularized by the Hurst Centaur Rescue Tool brand.

[x242Steve 1]

Sounds like a good idea! Hand-held power tools have been using double-insulation for years- it makes sense that they are doing something similar with rescue tools. I wish my personal drill and sawzall would react "visually" to electrical current-- that would be much better than the old light-bulb-in-the-teeth method.

Also, rescue tools aren't just for extrication- Who knows where and when else you might utilize the cutter or spreader where electrical current might be present.

Edited November 2, 2005 by 242steve

[cas2383 22]

I was just at a seminar with reps from both honda and ford, both stated that when the 12v battery/supply is cut on their cars it shuts down the relay to the high voltage battery system thus making it inoperable and the only way shock was possible is if the battery itself was punctured. These systems also shut down after airbag deployment in most cases as well. Besides the special parts for the hybrids they later went on to tell us to procede as usual. Good thing to keep in mind.

[ny10570 745]

I was just at a seminar with reps from both honda and ford, both stated that when the 12v battery/supply is cut on their cars it shuts down the relay to the high voltage battery system thus making it inoperable and the only way shock was possible is if the battery itself was punctured.  These systems also shut down after airbag deployment in most cases as well. Besides the special parts for the hybrids they later went on to tell us to procede as usual. Good thing to keep in mind.

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All of the manufacturers have maintined that since the begining. But they also all say that we should still take every precaution to observe and not cut into the high voltage wires. Murphy was a very smart man and thank him for his many laws. I for one would rather not be the first guy to find out that either the manufacturers were wrong or that what ever could go wrong did go wrong and catch 500 volts.

[cas2383 22]

Also we were told emergency response guides are now available on almost all manufactureres websites for specific vehicles. Great tool to have in your command car or other front line piece for reference.