BTLS Access

May 28^th 2005

Archived in EMS

Chris got to spend the day watching EMS students tear apart cars. Yes. Chris gets to do cool things at his job; I believe I mentioned this in the STARS post I did last fall.

These photos were taken during a BTLS (Basic Trauma Life Support) Access course that Chris was teaching. Rather than me pretend to explain what BTLS Access is in my non-EMS garble I had Chris tell me what to write. He says:

BTLS Access is an extrication course designed for EMS personnel. It teaches the use of extrication using hand tools not hydraulics. The course teaches you how to get people out of cars when you can't get them out normally after a MVC (motor vehicle crash).

It's kind of scary to see how quickly and easily the newer cars come apart. I've heard it likened to taking apart tinfoil.

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Bob said on May 28 2005
Humm! What ever happened to the 'Jaws of life'? This could also be a course for car thieves.

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sharbean said on May 28 2005
The Jaws of life a.k.a. cutters and spreaders are hydrolics. It takes 2-3 minutes to set up if you know what you are doing. To set up a hacksaw takes no time.

As for car theives -- there's not much left of the car once the hacksaw is through with it. Probably not the best option if the goal is to sell the car later.

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Bob said on May 28 2005
Yes but a lot of people steal cars these days for parts. This is a very lucretive business especially for asian cars.

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