Heavy Extrication Little Things

The little things matter when it comes to lifting and stabilizing heavy objects. The strut that is a “little crooked” when you started can quickly become very crooked and unsafe under a substantial load. Our attention to detail must stay sharp when setting up to stabilize and lift.
Below is an example of taking a shortcut that could be catastrophic later. Photo A is a picture of the base of a stabilizing strut with the ratchet strap secured into the manufactured attachment point. This is the designed configuration for this type of strut.

Photo B is a picture of a ratchet strap attached to the handle of the plate. The plate handle is not rated for stabilizing loads. The failure strength is unknown. Both pictures show a 12” base plate of a stabilizing strut secured with a ratchet strap and ready to be used. Except one has a known strength and is rated for what we are using it for and the other is just a “hope it works scenario.”