Deployment of vehicle airbags during flood conditions
Information from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service - UK:
Fire crews recently attended a car stuck in floodwater with two elderly occupants inside. On arrival the wipers appeared to be on intermittent indicating that the ignition was probably still on. The crews were instructed to isolate the ignition which they did. The elderly female occupant was ill and on her way to being admitted to hospital, therefore an ambulance was requested. Approximately one minute later, whilst the crew were waiting for a stretcher to safely evacuate the lady, there were two loud almost simultaneous bangs and both side curtain, drivers and passenger seat airbags deployed. We can only assume this occurred due to a short circuit in the wiring system caused by water ingress. Crews made immediate efforts to isolate the electrical system by disconnecting the battery. We believe the car had been in the water for no more than five minutes before the airbags deployed. Fortunately no personnel were affected or injured and the incident was recorded as a near miss. The car involved was a Volvo C3 with a 09 plate. The water depth was approximately 2.5 – 3 foot deep.
The AA have also reported that these types of incident have occurred, particularly with VW and Audi vehicles Some vehicles fitted with electronic handbrakes are activating whilst the vehicle is being driven through flood water, due to the ingress of water shorting out the control modules leaving the car stuck in water.
Emergency crews need to be mindful of these risks when attending vehicles in flood water and ensure wherever possible they keep minimum personnel within a risk area, and a safe distance from any potential hazard.
Technical Rescue Magazine AnnounceS its newest publication: (To be Released in Spring 2013)
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Park Ranger magazine is a wilderness version of Technical Rescue, same cost, same design, same layout, more scenic panorama shots but the same down to earth (but technically explicit) articles.
Where Technical Rescue involves equipment-intensive specialist rescue operations Park Ranger takes an altogether more light-weight, back-packable approach. There is crossover with all our magazines in the rope -related activities and much to learn even if wilderness rescue and tree work aren't your fields. PARK RANGER magazine articles include:
- search management and techniques,
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- whitewater rescue and lifeguarding/beach rescue),
- mountain rescue and ski patrol,
- cave rescue
- search dogs
- SAR helicopter operations
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Park Ranger is Edited by TRm's US SAR editor Lee Lang. Lee is a NASAR Board member, qualified National Park Ranger and veteran member of Larimer County Search & Rescue in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Making sure that UK, European, South African, Australian and New Zealand content is maintained in PARK RANGER magazine is the wizzened UK-based TECHNICAL RESCUE magazine Editor Ade Scott and his band of veteran rescuers from around the world. PARK RANGER enables us to look at equipment that we haven't previously covered much, if at all - rucksacks, climbing equipment, tents and sleeping bags, outdoor clothing, litters/stretchers, 4 x 4 vehicles, forest fire equipment and PPE, chainsaws, winches and even helicopters although Technical Rescue will continue to be the home for Air Ambulance or Heli-Med craft. If you like TECHNICAL RESCUE but work more in rural or wilderness areas than urban -industrial you'll love PARK RANGER.
The PHOENIX RESCUE SLED has been developed to enable safe and rapid rescue of casualties in water situations.
Read more...PenSafe 9225 Friction Buckles
SAFETY NOTICE
REQUEST FOR IMMEDIATE SELF-INSPECTION
of all CMC Rescue and CMC/Roco harnesses and straps using PenSafe 9225 Friction Buckles
Ropeman 3 Recall
VOLUNTARY RECALL NOTICE
29th October 2012
For the safety of all of our customers we are issuing an immediate recall of the Wild Country Ropeman 3. If you own a Wild Country Ropeman 3 please read this notice carefully and follow the instructions: “How to Return the Product”.