Brigade tests ‘jaws of life’

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33815, 11 April 1975, Page 3

Brigade tests ‘jaws of life’

The Christchurch Fire Brigade is almost sure to add at least one set of “jaws of life’’' to its steadily increasing arsenal of equipment for saving human life.

I'he brigade put a set of the jaws through a searching test yesterday, and senior officers said later that they were much impressed. The jaws are a power tools for rescuing people trapped in mangled motor vehicles at road accidents

and behind such things as steel security grilles in burning buildings. The jaws cut through steel faster than conventional cutting gear without making any sparks. They have other uses like prising lumps of metal apart. Powered by a small petrol engine, the jaws can hydraulically exert nearly five, tons of pressure on obstructions between rescuers and trapped injured people. There are no flames.

noise or spinning blades to frighten or even further injure shocked victims awaiting rescue. On a vacant section in Antigua Street yesterday all firemen on the day relief got some practical experience in using the jaws. They set up an accident involving five wrecked motor vehicles in which were trapped five "victims.” To get at the “injured.” firemen using the jaws chopped the top off one car and lifted out a “vic-

tim.” They similarly freed “victims” from the other vehicles. The jaws are made of titanium — an extremely hard metal. The whole unit costs $3895 — an amount considered small in comparison with the likely savings in life. The fire brigade says it is now* called on to assist at many accidents where skill in freeing victims as well as fighting fire is essential.