extrication struts

[remya]

Does anyone have any experience with extrication struts?. Pros/cons and brands used would help point me in the right direction.

Thanks

[Red_Devil]

i have experience with z mags, i highly recommend them, they are very easy to use, take up little room on the truck and work very well. look em up!

[fireman2697]

WE USE Z-MAGS FOR VECHILE STABLILITY WE FIND THEY WORK GREAT. MADE THEM OURSELFS

[iamvff]

I know this is going to sound stupid, but what is an extrication strutt? I have taken lots of vehicle x courses but never heard this term. I am assuming they are to help stableize(sp?) the vehicle?

Be Safe
iamvff

[Hart]

Extrication strut's are adjustable stabilization system used for rollovers vech. on their sides. the ones I have seen are rescue 42 they are square tubes that hook on abase in the tube are adjustable sections inside you pull the section out to proper height they come in differnt lenghts. They are adjustable from 18 to 47" or 36 to 101" they also have straps that hook from the strut to the vech or you can use them for building collaspe, make a tri pod for confindspace rescue. they are handy to have.The dealer for Manitoba is Trans Care Rescue

[remya]

We had looked at the rescue 42 system but have started looking at air shores (airshores.com). I believe that they are a Canadian company. Head office is here anyway.

[iamvff]

Thanks for the lesson on strutts. That is what I had figured that it was. We have a more common name for them out here in the boonies.......4x4 fence posts :-)

Be Safe
iamvff

[cduval]

Z-Mags are quick, easy to use and fairly cheap.

Our Dept recently purchased the Junkyard Dogs http://www.junkyarddogindustries.com/

They work pretty good. I find they are more adaptable. One problem was that the strap had a ring throug it about 36" from the hook. As a result, the hook sometimes conld not be ratcheted in as tight as the operator would like. That problem is now fixed with their new strap and seperate axle stap.

[pitter19]

Hello
Our deparmrnt uses ZMAGS. Simply put, they are very quick and easy to use. They take very little space.

[remya]

We have a set of airshores on order. I will let you know what they are like once we have had some time to play with them.

http://www.airshore.com/home.cfm

[firefighter316]

Res-Q-Jacks or something like them is the way to go if your dept has the budget They are infinitely more adjustable than z-mags or 4 x4's and can actually lift a vehicle to get an airbag under if one should need to.

[Roadwarrior]

Although we don't use them, the Z-mags look great. I wonder if anyone has ever had a probem with the rachet straps on them. I can never get the dang things to work properly when just tying down cargo. Would a rope rachet work better?

[North_of_60]

So I am going to bump this to the top and ask for some follow-up.

We are looking at Strut systems to compliment our wood cribbing. I have been primarily looking at the Paratech Struts and the Rescue 42 Telecrib system. We are in a big Oil & Gas Exploration area, so we do deal with large vehicle MVA's more often than others might. These can range from large bed trucks to Super "B" Trains...

Does anyone have experience with both systems and can give me pros and cons?
If you have one or the other, do you like it and why?

Another Department in our area uses the Paratech system and likes it, but if the Rescue 42's will work better for us then I am definily open to that.

Thanks in advance for the input.

Stay Safe,

North of 60

[litew8t]

We have the rescue 42. They seem to work very well. They can help stabilize a vehicle fast. No real probems as of yet

[red_dog_six]

We also use the Rescue 42 System. Rollover yesterday on the 401 and the mini van was stabalized in no time flat.

[irsqyu]

We used the Z-Mags when they first came out, then switched to the "Junkyard Dogs" which performed very well. Z-mags still carried as backup.

[PFD023]

We used the Z-Mags when they first came out, then switched to the "Junkyard Dogs" which performed very well. Z-mags still carried as backup.

Do you remember what system you guys used for this one? :>

[Squamish-FF]

Hey North, we use the Rescue 42 on both our rescue trucks and they are great. Easy to use and sturdy construction. We used them on all aspects including bus extrication.
Excellent for the vehicle on its side, especially taller ones.

Just be careful retracting them! One member retracted the sliding beam and sliced the tip of his finger off!

We have used them for approximately 2 years and have had very positive results. I recommend them.

[hmckay91]

We are looking at Strut systems to compliment our wood cribbing. I have been primarily looking at the Paratech Struts and the Rescue 42 Telecrib system. We are in a big Oil & Gas Exploration area, so we do deal with large vehicle MVA's more often than others might. These can range from large bed trucks to Super "B" Trains...

Most if not all commercial strut systems work well for passenger cars and trucks.

If you are considering bigger get in contact with someone who has taken the Big Rig H.O.T.S. course.


The Big Rig H.O.T.S. symposium is designed to teach firefighters what they need to consider when arriving at a collision involving large transport vehicles and a passerger vehicle. Whether it be a tractor trailer, cement truck, a tanker truck, an overturn, or an undreride.

The symposium covers the hazards encountered while operating at a "Big Rig" collision: and to practice safety precautions for such; the advantages and disadvantages of low and high pressure lifting bags and strut rescue systems; understanding of assembly, and loading capacity of various types of cribbing formations; grades of chains, types of synthetic slings, types of wire rope, hooks, and fasteners, and their suitability during rescue operations.

You will also work along side a tow truck operater as heavy recovery usually is needed in lifting the "Big Rig" off the vehicle or stabilizing the larger vehicle before starting your extrication employing a five step discipline for overturns, and underrides as follows: The first thing is to identify the cargo of all vehicles involved. Second is to stabilize the larger vehicle. Third is to lower the smaller vehicle. Fourth is to lift the larger vehicle, and fifth is to separate the vehicles, and extricate victims.


The Alberta Vehicle Extrication Association has co-hosted this twice at the Alberta Regional Extrication Challenge (Nisku 2009) and the North American Vehicle Rescue Challenge (Calgary 2010). The next course will be once again in Nisku September 22-23 of 2011.

You can also check out some free big rig knowledge articles at www.albertavx.com (http://www.albertavx.com)

There are some pictures from the Calgary event compliments of Hero To Hero

http://herotohero.smugmug.com/2010-NAVRC-CALGARY/HOTS-BIG-RIG-SYMPOSIUM/2010-NAVRC-BIG-RIG-SYMPOSIUM/13957758_rcZw7#1025584399_8Cpnr

[Pumphead]

We use the Res-Q-Jack system. Still new to us and hasn't seen much use yet, but seems like the Cat's ass.