Blog
Read the blog posts of experts travelling the world to train and exchange knowledge with rescuers from all nationalities.
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Motorsports and extrication equipment
14 Jul 2017I am now half way through my first season as part of the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) Extrication Team. The BTCC is the most popular motorsports in the UK and has a 60-year heritage. It has...
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Truck Incidents
03 Jul 2017Incidents involving trucks remain a topic that is very often discussed when it comes to vehicle extrication. In recent blogs, I have talked about how experience breeds confidence and competence with...
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Is Biggest Always Best?
07 Jun 2017There will always be debates about rescue equipment and more precisely, which tools are important. In recent blogs, I have talked about rams and our general reticence to engage with them to a point of...
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The Psychological Effects of Rescue
29 May 2017May 8th - 14th 2017 was Mental Health Awareness Week (UK) and I figured that now would be the perfect opportunity to briefly talk about the mental aspects of vehicle extrication and rescue in general...
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Cross Ramming
12 May 2017In my last blog I discussed two key medical issues facing rescuers on scene; the need to preserve breath and blood. In the very worst of impacts, where damage is severe, getting access to your patient...
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Preserving the Basics of Life
02 May 2017Put very simply, a lack of breath and/or a lack of blood are two of the biggest contributing factors in patients not surviving road traffic collisions. With this in mind then, it is immediately...
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Cutting performance: Theory versus Reality
19 Apr 2017When it comes to assessing performance, we are generally predisposed to being impressed by big numbers. Whether this is the megapixels on our new camera, the top speed of our latest car or the screen...
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Hydraulic Spreaders and More Useless Numbers
19 Apr 2017The latest addition to the Dunbar household is now four months old and there are nights when young Jessica is not as fond of sleep as her parents are. Inevitably the TV goes on and we spend an hour...
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My Final Thoughts and Farewell; Well, Kind of...
28 Feb 2017In the last six years I have covered a lot of miles; physically and mentally. In 2011, I left the UK Fire and Rescue Service with a passion for vehicle extrication and have subsequently spent more...
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Crew Resource Management and Confirmation Bias
13 Jan 2017Although equipment, procedures and techniques are important in vehicle extrication, the most critical piece of the jigsaw and the glue that holds everything together is the people involved in...