Several weeks ago, a driver in Nebraska, Tony Linner, was involved in a crash that resulted in a fire and he was in the burning car for an estimated 5 minutes. There are lots of questions that result from this situation...let's take a positive slant on the situation...what can we learn?
Be interested in what kind of fire suppression equipment is available where you race. Ask questions of the safety team (yes, there should be one)...if you are using methanol, water-based extinguishers are much better than dry chemical. Are the team members wearing firesuits or other protective clothing? Is there an ambulance present? What are their medical capabilities (EMT, Advanced, Paramedic)? Do they transport or meet another unit in the parking lot? Does the safety team have hydraulic rescue tools or do they call the local FD/rescue squad? Either way is not awful...just good to know.
Another detail about this incident...apparently the driver removed his helmet before getting out of the car...before he could get out, the ruptured tailtank (no bladder) and resulting fuel spill ignited...it is probably a good idea to leave your helmet on until you are away from the car.
If you are not using a bladder in whatever kind of fuel tank you have, please reconsider that situation. Only 5 gallons of fuel makes one dandy fire that can seriously hurt you...if you do not have the money for a fuel cell....maybe...
How about your firesuit? Is it at least double layer? Is it clean and free of grease/oil stains? Are they areas that are torn, frayed, or worn thin? REPLACE IT.
I have visited burn units...I have had significant burns...I have taken care of severely burned patients...none of these was a particularly pleasant experience...and I was not the patient in the burn unit!
At the end of the day, everyone goes home standing up!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009
Give 'em a way out!
It is important to think about how you and your team would approach a burning race car with the driver still on-board. Using your extinguishers and fire streams effectively to make a path of egress (exit) for the driver is critical.
An important concept to keep in mind is to work as much from the closest point to the driver and fight away from the car. When you watch videos carefully, you will often see rescuers pushing the fire toward the driver, not away from him/her. It is not always possible to use this tactic...the majority of the time it is. Think about putting yourself between the driver and the fire.
Remember that gravity can be your friend. Unless there is an unusual reason not to, fight the fire down the banking, not up. Often, this situation is totally compatible with tactic mentioned in the previous paragraphs. Trying to push the fire up the hill is not productive...and especially if you are using a liquid agent, the extinguishing will run down hill putting out the burning fuel/liquids.
This sounds perfectly obvious, and it still is worth mentioning, pay attention to the driver after he/she exit the car. I have seen several situations where a driver exits the car, on fire, and the safety team continues fighting the vehicle fire and does not go after the driver. That driver needs to think he/she needs swimming lessons!! They must get extremely wet (yeah, dry chemical or CO2 does not make it) very quickly, and that hot fire suit needs to come off PRONTO. Modesty has no place in this discussion. Leaving the hot material in place will aggravate any burns present and can cause new burns by simple contact with the skin. If you ever look at what I carry in my on-track holster, you will find 2 rather large and sharp scissors...the idea being if we have to remove a hot fire suit quickly, more is better.
Think it over before the need arises...look at videos on the Internet...critique yourself and others...we all get better when we do. Simply throwing water or powder at the fire is not good enough...we can be more effective when we give it some thought.
At the end of the day, everyone goes home standing up.
An important concept to keep in mind is to work as much from the closest point to the driver and fight away from the car. When you watch videos carefully, you will often see rescuers pushing the fire toward the driver, not away from him/her. It is not always possible to use this tactic...the majority of the time it is. Think about putting yourself between the driver and the fire.
Remember that gravity can be your friend. Unless there is an unusual reason not to, fight the fire down the banking, not up. Often, this situation is totally compatible with tactic mentioned in the previous paragraphs. Trying to push the fire up the hill is not productive...and especially if you are using a liquid agent, the extinguishing will run down hill putting out the burning fuel/liquids.
This sounds perfectly obvious, and it still is worth mentioning, pay attention to the driver after he/she exit the car. I have seen several situations where a driver exits the car, on fire, and the safety team continues fighting the vehicle fire and does not go after the driver. That driver needs to think he/she needs swimming lessons!! They must get extremely wet (yeah, dry chemical or CO2 does not make it) very quickly, and that hot fire suit needs to come off PRONTO. Modesty has no place in this discussion. Leaving the hot material in place will aggravate any burns present and can cause new burns by simple contact with the skin. If you ever look at what I carry in my on-track holster, you will find 2 rather large and sharp scissors...the idea being if we have to remove a hot fire suit quickly, more is better.
Think it over before the need arises...look at videos on the Internet...critique yourself and others...we all get better when we do. Simply throwing water or powder at the fire is not good enough...we can be more effective when we give it some thought.
At the end of the day, everyone goes home standing up.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Why we do what we do
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAELVdoHmUE
Please take the minutes it takes to watch this video! It demonstrates any number of critical points about how drivers need to think about their protective clothing and equipment...how safety crews are equipped and trained for what we do...and why we do what we do. This situation can happen any night...at any track...in any class of car...with any type fuel.
Please...give this video some thought...how would you and your crew measure up?...how would your firesuit and accessories protect you in the same situation?...what would you want to see done differently?
Congratulations to the Hanford Safety Team on "getting it done!"
At the end of the day, everyone goes home standing up!
Please take the minutes it takes to watch this video! It demonstrates any number of critical points about how drivers need to think about their protective clothing and equipment...how safety crews are equipped and trained for what we do...and why we do what we do. This situation can happen any night...at any track...in any class of car...with any type fuel.
Please...give this video some thought...how would you and your crew measure up?...how would your firesuit and accessories protect you in the same situation?...what would you want to see done differently?
Congratulations to the Hanford Safety Team on "getting it done!"
At the end of the day, everyone goes home standing up!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Drag racing
Back in the day, I was offered numerous opportunities to work safety at IHRA National drag racing events while working with Professional Track Services (PTS). I steadfastly declined those offers...I just did not see the value of working a race that only lasted a few seconds and did not involve any turns (unless it involved a serious crash or simply turning off the end of the track). I finally relented and agreed to work an IHRA event at Milan Dragway, near Detroit. I was quickly hooked on drag racing.
While my EMS schedule at the time was not really conducive to making the longer road trips required to cover IHRA events further away from home, I had fallen for drag racing. I only worked a handful of events from the safety perspective...and have continued to enjoy the occasional drag race as a spectator with my sons and various other guests. There is no sensation like being near a nitromethane fueled engine when they hit the throttle! Between the sounds, the fragrance of the nitro fuel, and feeling the sounds in your body...it is hard to describe...And we have not even left the pit area yet! Experiencing a car making a 300 mph pass in the 3-4 second range is incredible. 8000 horsepower is impressive at the least.
I you have never been to a professional drag race, especially one with nitro cars, do it soon! While it is not the same as circle tracking, it is worthy of a serious race fan.
While my EMS schedule at the time was not really conducive to making the longer road trips required to cover IHRA events further away from home, I had fallen for drag racing. I only worked a handful of events from the safety perspective...and have continued to enjoy the occasional drag race as a spectator with my sons and various other guests. There is no sensation like being near a nitromethane fueled engine when they hit the throttle! Between the sounds, the fragrance of the nitro fuel, and feeling the sounds in your body...it is hard to describe...And we have not even left the pit area yet! Experiencing a car making a 300 mph pass in the 3-4 second range is incredible. 8000 horsepower is impressive at the least.
I you have never been to a professional drag race, especially one with nitro cars, do it soon! While it is not the same as circle tracking, it is worthy of a serious race fan.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Teamwork
Over the years, I have had the honor of working with several very successful racing safety teams. All of the organizations have had something in common...teamwork!
There is no better feeling than seeing your team work their way through a tough situation...with skill and proficiency...and doing everything that can be done for the person involved, driver, fan, or crew. Having a positive outcome makes it even better. Having well-defined roles and responsibilities are good starting points...we all know that some situations require adjusting on the fly...knowing the basics is critical.
A couple of weeks ago, after having worked a challenging situation that had a great outcome, I was struck by how important it was to be able to trust your teammates to protect each other. Our situation required me, as the person with responsibility for the driver, to have undivided attention on the driver. Later, I saw a photo that shows the other guys on my truck there with me, while another crew was arriving on the scene. The photo reminded me of the 2 layers of teamwork at work, as the guys on my truck were covering my sizable rear end... the other truck arrived, helping us finish off the situation. What a great feeling that not only did our team work well together, the driver did well after a very shaky initial assessment.
Constantly assess how your team is working together...makes sure everyone knows their role and responsibilities...debrief, however informally, after every "working" situation to see how others viewed things...encourage open and candid comments. Waiting until you face a critical event is not the time to deal with shortcomings in teamwork.
Everyone goes home standing up!
There is no better feeling than seeing your team work their way through a tough situation...with skill and proficiency...and doing everything that can be done for the person involved, driver, fan, or crew. Having a positive outcome makes it even better. Having well-defined roles and responsibilities are good starting points...we all know that some situations require adjusting on the fly...knowing the basics is critical.
A couple of weeks ago, after having worked a challenging situation that had a great outcome, I was struck by how important it was to be able to trust your teammates to protect each other. Our situation required me, as the person with responsibility for the driver, to have undivided attention on the driver. Later, I saw a photo that shows the other guys on my truck there with me, while another crew was arriving on the scene. The photo reminded me of the 2 layers of teamwork at work, as the guys on my truck were covering my sizable rear end... the other truck arrived, helping us finish off the situation. What a great feeling that not only did our team work well together, the driver did well after a very shaky initial assessment.
Constantly assess how your team is working together...makes sure everyone knows their role and responsibilities...debrief, however informally, after every "working" situation to see how others viewed things...encourage open and candid comments. Waiting until you face a critical event is not the time to deal with shortcomings in teamwork.
Everyone goes home standing up!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Dirt Late Models
I really enjoy watching Dirt Late Models (DLM) race!
When I work races involving DLM's, I am reminded of how much I wish we would make a safety-related change. The window/roll cage configuration is just not practical in terms of the driver getting out in bad conditions. I have worked numerous flips involving DLM's and it is always very difficult for a driver to get out while the vehicle is upside down. Now, let's add a fire to the equation...not sure I like how it might turn out. Having a full-containment seat makes egress even more challenging...and the better seats are NEEDED...think personal roll cage!
It is time for the DLM community to take action on this situation and increase the vertical distance from the top edge of the door tin to the lowest surface of the roof panel/halo bar. This distance, again, is measured vertically...NOT on the diagonal. A practical specification would also be needed for an unencumbered horizontal measurement.
In a perfect world a total change would be made immediately...and it is not a perfect world. In the mean time, I am sure a formula can be worked out to give an advantage (weight, etc) to those who go to the new chassis/cage configuration...time and natural attrition will see the older style chassis going by the wayside.
It is nice to see an increasing number of DLM's using modern techonolgy seats...there are still those who cling to ineffective seats, poor seat mounting ideas, and unsafe seat belt mounting methods. Drivers...if you do not look out for yourselves and move toward safer seats and associated concepts, eventually someone will force the issue.
Remember, everyone goes home standing up!
When I work races involving DLM's, I am reminded of how much I wish we would make a safety-related change. The window/roll cage configuration is just not practical in terms of the driver getting out in bad conditions. I have worked numerous flips involving DLM's and it is always very difficult for a driver to get out while the vehicle is upside down. Now, let's add a fire to the equation...not sure I like how it might turn out. Having a full-containment seat makes egress even more challenging...and the better seats are NEEDED...think personal roll cage!
It is time for the DLM community to take action on this situation and increase the vertical distance from the top edge of the door tin to the lowest surface of the roof panel/halo bar. This distance, again, is measured vertically...NOT on the diagonal. A practical specification would also be needed for an unencumbered horizontal measurement.
In a perfect world a total change would be made immediately...and it is not a perfect world. In the mean time, I am sure a formula can be worked out to give an advantage (weight, etc) to those who go to the new chassis/cage configuration...time and natural attrition will see the older style chassis going by the wayside.
It is nice to see an increasing number of DLM's using modern techonolgy seats...there are still those who cling to ineffective seats, poor seat mounting ideas, and unsafe seat belt mounting methods. Drivers...if you do not look out for yourselves and move toward safer seats and associated concepts, eventually someone will force the issue.
Remember, everyone goes home standing up!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Equipment maintenance and replacement
The final component of our blog on pre-season maintenance covers personal equipment and equipment on the safety vehicle.
1. Cleaning, of firesuits and other protective items, if not done at season's end. Follow
manufacturers recommendations. Don't forget those helmets!
2. Powered hydraulic rescue tools should be refilled with fresh fuel...engine oil and all
appropriate filters should be changed...a new spark plug makes the power unit as easy to start
as possible. Hoses should be checked for damage or leaks...the fluid level in the reservoir
needs to be checked and refilled as necessary.
3. Medical kits and devices must be inventoried and restocked..expiration dates checked...items
like immobilization devices and back boards need to be cleaned...if used at a dirt track,
consider covering them with plastic bags to keep them as clean as possible.
4. Make sure all rechageable items are fully charged and fully functional. Radios need to be
periodically checked and maintained.
5. Check your personal holster and the like...fresh batteries to flashlights...sharpen knives and
scissors. Lubricate tools as needed. Clean everything!
While these lists are not perfect, they should give you some ideas and serve as memory ticklers to help you be as ready as possible for the upcoming season.
Have a great season...keep yourself and your crewmembers safe!
1. Cleaning, of firesuits and other protective items, if not done at season's end. Follow
manufacturers recommendations. Don't forget those helmets!
2. Powered hydraulic rescue tools should be refilled with fresh fuel...engine oil and all
appropriate filters should be changed...a new spark plug makes the power unit as easy to start
as possible. Hoses should be checked for damage or leaks...the fluid level in the reservoir
needs to be checked and refilled as necessary.
3. Medical kits and devices must be inventoried and restocked..expiration dates checked...items
like immobilization devices and back boards need to be cleaned...if used at a dirt track,
consider covering them with plastic bags to keep them as clean as possible.
4. Make sure all rechageable items are fully charged and fully functional. Radios need to be
periodically checked and maintained.
5. Check your personal holster and the like...fresh batteries to flashlights...sharpen knives and
scissors. Lubricate tools as needed. Clean everything!
While these lists are not perfect, they should give you some ideas and serve as memory ticklers to help you be as ready as possible for the upcoming season.
Have a great season...keep yourself and your crewmembers safe!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)