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Sizzling New Extrication Tools (2002) |
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By Mark Uttley
As a guy who’s always on the lookout for fresh new approaches to the extrication rescue industry, I’m often lucky enough to attend trade shows and other venues that showcase what’s new in equipment, techniques and trends. The 2002 Fire Department Instructors Conference unveiled several memorable new extrication products as well as tools that have been around for a while but still deserve mentioning. One very apparent direction for extrication tool development is collapse rescue, and obviously this is a response to events such as 9-11 and the Oklahoma City bombing. During the response to those incidents, needs were discovered and a number of extrication tool manufacturers have jumped into gear to satisfy those needs.
A View from the Show Floor
Here are some of the wild new products I saw in Indianapolis at this year’s FDIC show:
Micro-Pump Miracle
 Photo 1: Holmatro's new combination hydraulic cutter/spreader introduces micro-pump technology, backed up by 24-volt battery power. (Photos by the author.) Perhaps the neatest technological development introduced at the show was Holmatro’s battery-powered combination hydraulic cutter and spreader. The new BCT 3120 SCRT (self-contained rescue tool) uses micro-pump technology that is powered by a 24-volt battery. Holmatro joined forces with DeWalt Tools to utilize the readily available DeWalt 24-volt battery system. The battery is the same one used on all DeWalt 24-volt power tools and is interchangeable with other 24-volt DeWalt tools. The SCRT is reported by Holmatro to operate at 10,500 psi and can accomplish feats similar to those of the externally powered 3120 model. I have not had the opportunity to use one yet, but look forward to giving it a go. Take a look at Photo 1, showing the Holmatro salesperson with the unit strapped on his back, utilizing the available backpack accessory.
For more information, contact Holmatro at (410) 768-9662, send e-mail toinfo@holmatro-usa.com or visit the Web site at www.holmatro-usa.com. Dust Buster
 Photo 3: At just 21 pounds, Hurst’s new Centaur CEN SC10 combination cutter/spreader may be light, but it's not a lightweight. I got the door off this minivan without a hassle. And speaking of Hurst, the manufacturer has introduced a new line of tools over the past year under the Centaur Rescue Tools label. This equipment represents the company’s most important technological leap forward since it introduced the first set of Jaws of Life tools in 1972. This new Centaur spreader weighs in at just over 72 pounds. The Centaur CEN SC10 that I’m using in Photo 3 is a combination cutter and spreader. It tips the scales at 21 pounds and is very efficient in performing the job while keeping the rescuer’s comfort in mind. I had virtually no problem breaking the door off this 2001 minivan. The Centaur line of tools is Hurst’s first move away from the 5,000-psi system. Included in this line of tools is a battery-powered backpack—a sealed unit that worked very well in the World Trade Center environment. Hurst’s Larry Anderson operated the unit for several days following the collapse; he says the unit’s excellent performance is due to its extreme resistance to dust, not allowing it into the unit’s inner workings.
Big Blowhard
 Photo 4: When you need a constant source of air for tools, look no farther than Air Systems International's Tech-Rescue cart, which also provides breathing air. Another item that caught my eye at the FDIC show has been around for a while, but it really deserves mention: the air distribution systems offered by Air Systems International. These air carts are a really good idea when you need lots of continuous air (such as at a wreck, a confined space incident, or a HazMat event). The Tech-Rescue cart (seePhoto 4) is able to supply air tools from the blue side of the regulator system and provide breathing air on the yellow side of the cart, which is the respirator air control side. This little gem has a whole batch of features—in fact, too many to list! Air Systems International has many models of air carts and I’ll bet you can find one to suit your needs (including a cool Drag Bag rescue system for Rapid Intervention Teams).
For more information, contact Air Systems International at (800) 866-8100 or visit the Web site at www.airsystems.cc. World Champion Weight Lifter
 Photo 5: Zumro’s NT air bags system lets you attach many air cells together and use it like one great big air bag. Next let’s take a look at some unique pneumatic lifting bags. Zumro’s NT Resq-Bags were designed in the Netherlands to fill a void left by conventional air bags. Conventional bags have a limited lifting height and, unfortunately, this problem can be solved only by using larger high-pressure air bags or by stacking them. However, when stacking bags, it’s advisable to not stack more than two because they can fly out of place. This happens because the bags balloon outward, thereby minimizing the contact points between the bags and the item being lifted—which can easily create a dangerous situation. The NT bags can be attached together, creating what is virtually a single-bag system, but one with many air cells. Photo 5 shows sets of two large air bags attached to a set of smaller air bags. The NT bags are available in three different sizes: the NT-23, rated for 50,600 pounds of lift; the NT-58, rated for 127,600 pounds of lift; and the NT-132, rated for 290,400 pounds of lift.
 Photo 6: ResQ Tek's Rapid Stair features polyethylene materials and staggered, interlocking teeth to create a solid stabilizing device. ResQ Tek Inc. sells these bags, along with many other products. One of the other items that caught my eye is the Rapid Stair, coupled with a wedge made from 100 percent recycled polyethylene. (Photo 6 shows this well-done piece of cribbing.) Most recycled-material cribbing that I’ve looked at and played with are pretty rough. These particular units are crisp with staggered teeth that interlock, creating a fairly consistent stabilizing device.
For more information, contact ResQ Tek Inc. at (314) 439-2890 or visit the Web site atwww.resqtekinc.com.
Night Light
Bosch Power Tools sponsored an FDIC booth for the second year in a row, using an old wreck of a car for demonstrating the manufacturer’s latest tool. Last year, Bosch introduced the 24-volt reciprocating saw to show attendees and even gave away a pile of saws in hourly drawings, and the company returned to do it again this year. The new product on display was a fire/rescue blade for use in recip saws. (Once again, Bosch gave away a bunch of these blades.) But what makes this bladeespecially interesting is the fact that it’s coated with a glow-in-the-dark paint, so that rescuers can easily find the blade if they happen to drop it while working in dark conditions. The recip saw has a “toolless” quick-blade-change feature that doesn’t require watching while it’s being used. That’s great—rescuers don’t have to fumble with an Allen hex wrench to change blades. The glow-in-the-dark feature is a nice and novel idea—but don’t let the gimmick fool you. This blade is excellent and, in the hands of a skilled rescuer, should stand up very well. I most recently used the saw and blade on a school bus, with excellent results. A nice feature on the reciprocating saw is the dual-stroke setting, which allows a three-quarters-inch stroke, or—with the flip of a switch on the top of the handle—an inch-and-a-quarter stroke.
Adapt(er) to Your Surroundings
DeWalt also has an excellent 24-volt reciprocating saw that can chew up some of the toughest materials you’re likely to encounter on the job. The really nice feature of the new DeWalt saw is its optional AC/DC adapter. Sure, batteries are a wonderful thing, but eventually they do run out of charge; an adapter like this one from DeWalt could save you some embarrassment.
External Energizers
Another great new product unveiled at this year’s show can provide longer run times for battery-powered equipment. The Robopaks introduced by Aircraft Dynamics Corp. function as external battery packs that can be fitted to your tools through the adaptation of your saw’s existing battery housing. The Robopaks can accommodate any tool voltage, just by inserting the plug into the corresponding receiver. I’m waiting for an evaluation pack so I can really give it a workout, but from all test reports that I’ve received, I’m expecting to be impressed. For more information, contact Aircraft Dynamics Corp. at (800) 874-4702 or visit the Web site at www.aircraftdynamics.com. NF&R |
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