March 28, 2024
Annapolis, US 51 F

Airbags outside the cars are saving more lives

In cases of emergency, time is of the utmost importance. When victims become trapped in a vehicle or in a collapse, it can be extremely risky and difficult to try a rescue effort. Even highly trained emergency service workers can’t always get to victims as soon as they would like.

With newer technologies, there may be a chance to save more lives in the future. Innovations in lift methods are proving to be an economical and life saving solution. Local fire departments across Maryland are utilizing air bags to get the job done!

Earlier this year in Phoenix, during a daring rescue following a train accident, heavy lift air bags were used to help rescue a victim that had been pinned in the wreckage. This new method was instrumental in saving the man’s life and was able to effortlessly lift the train, allowing for extrication in less than 7 minutes.

With this kind of time saving technology, there’s no way to tell how many future lives may be saved. Although rescue air bags are not yet in wide use, they are becoming an affordable and essential piece of rescue equipment that is being considered by rescue companies small and large, nationwide.

Fire stations across the country are investigating the benefits of investing in airbag technology. With a small specialized team, victims of car crashes or collapse emergencies have a better chance of getting the help that they need in much less time.

The heavy duty air bags are constructed from reinforced rubber tubing that expands with the help of a simple air compression system. When the bags are deflated they measure less than 2” in height, making them ideal for tight situations. They can be easily slid under an obstruction and inflated quickly to help lift the load off of the victims. These industrial air bags can lift up to 70 tons in just minutes.

Many smaller towns and communities do not currently have the budget to afford larger and more complex rescue machinery like cranes and rescue jaws, leaving them helpless in an emergency. Many victims have to wait for teams with this equipment to arrive on the scene from neighboring towns or larger cities. The time that is wasted in waiting for help to arrive can mean the ultimate difference in saving lives.

With the overwhelming benefits and versatility of airbag technology, you can expect to see this kind of rescue equipment more and more frequently. As more successful extrication efforts continue to make the news, smaller towns and cities will most likely be seeking these types of solutions.

The heavy lift air bag systems are affordable enough for even the smallest communities. Small teams of rescue personnel that are properly trained in deploying an airbag rescue can save a ton of money on the labor and equipment costs of other more complex systems.

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