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Post by blueeighty8 on Oct 21, 2005 17:37:00 GMT -5
www.firefighterclosecalls.com/downloads/SeatbeltNOBS.mpgWasn't sure where to put this, but I figured "Rescue" was the best place, after all that's what we all do anyway. It's harsh, but it's very telling to watch this slo-mo video of what happens in a quarter of a second. Too bad it is considered too graphic for US Television, but you can see it every day on our roadways.
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Post by ddddyyyy on Jul 22, 2009 2:37:38 GMT -5
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Post by chief322 on Jul 22, 2009 19:46:58 GMT -5
I whole heartedly agree now about seatbelt use and what happens in a split second in a head on crash, as I am living proof. 15 years ago, as Fire Chief in Monroeton, I was involved in a head on crash on the Ulster Hill north of the Crystal Springs , just in Ulster Township. I was driving a 1991 Camaro and came upon a snow squall approaching the hill. I was not buckled, but my car did have airbags. 3/4 of the way up a northbound TT jacknifed in the squall conditions while going downhill and came into my lane. I had no where to go with my vehicle and took the briunt of the force. I was propelled into my winshield, but I was not ejected. The force of the impact propelled my mini-edge 75' up the road. The front of my camaro basically folded over the top and back. After coming to, I managed to crawl outta the wrieck and checked on the people in the other vehicle. They were moving and attempting to self extricate. I returned to my pile of crap and found my mobile still having power to it. I radioed county and advised of MVA, requesting fire / rescue. Matt Fritsch was working fire board and after hearing my call, started questioning me on air (like taking a call). I gave him what I could and when I told him I was involved and bleeding profusely from head / face ( from winshield impact) he immediately declared an emergency status only on Bradford Fire. He talked with me while he could till I finally told him I couldn't talk any longer and basically signed off the air. I was transported to RPH with severe facial damage requiring reconstruction. All because I wouldnt "click it". The accident was not my fault however my neglicgence caused the most damage.
That being said though, 7 years later my oldest daughter was involved in a direct T-Bone in front of the Ames Plaza in Towanda Township. She was a rear seat passenger with her belt on. Her side of the vehicle took the direct hit and the seat belt did its job.....to the point it caused her more harm than if she had not worn one. Upon impact she was thrown sideways to the other side of vehicle, till the locking mechanisim kicked in. This held her in place as the vehicle caved in around her and ultimately her head and face went through the collapsing rear door. The Towanda Fire Dept. had this crash and command notified me immediately to respond once they realized who was involved. Upon my arrival she had been extricated and was being packaged. Her injuries to the face looked identical to what I had have happened to me years prior.
So to this day I wear my belt. I have seen both sides to using them and am not 100% sure they save lives. I think they help and sometimes hinder or make the situation worse. I still to this day remember the old drivers ed. class that had the video of a trooper saying he never unbuckled a dead man. I personally wonder now what he was smoking or if he was just a desk jockey, because I personally have unbuckled them, quite a few times.
Tim
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