Extrication "Quick Tip" #21 (THE DASH WON'T LIFT)

Today’s quick tip is covering a challenging problem that may arise in extrications with very heavy impact/intrusion. This issue is common on rear semi under-rides, due to the degree of front-end damage. This photo is from an extrication involving a rear under-ride that we encountered many years ago. As you can see the dash "cross beam”, (green circle) is what facilitates a successful dash lift. The dash crossbeam goes horizontal from drivers side A post to passenger side A post. This beam can be attached to the A post by a couple different means (spot welds to the common bolt attachment). When the vehicle is involved in a heavy impact, many times the connection from A post to the dash crossbeam can become severed. When this happens the dash lift or dash push on the A post is no longer effective. We then must get away from the A post and use the dash cross beam as the push point to facilitate an effective lift. Below you can see a lift where the dash support "cross beam" and the A post have separated resulting in a lack of actual dash displacement.

ISAAC FRAZIER is a Special Operations Lieutenant with St. Johns County Florida’s Heavy Rescue “Squad 4”. First due to the deadliest stretch of roadway in the nation, Frazier teaches from personal street experience providing tried and true tactics. Frazier is the owner of Tactical Advantage Training and creator of the course Tactical Extrication. Frazier travels nationally sharing his passion teaching fire and extrication courses. Frazier is a Fire Officer II, FL Paramedic, Special Operations Officer, Florida State Instructor, FLUSAR Tech, Diver, and FL Hazmat Tech.  www.TrainTacticalAdvantage.com