Rescue Squad demonstrates techniques to driver ed classes.
By: Donna Lukiw
Unsafe driving can have many devastating consequences including being trapped in a car with a broken leg or neck or even death.
As 600 driver education students from Hillsborough High School gathered in the high school parking lot Monday members of the Hillsborough Rescue Squad showed what can happen after a car accident and what tools may be used to save someone’s life.
By using three donated cars, the rescue squad demonstrated how hydraulic tools such as the Jaws of Life can remove the car roof, doors and windshield to extract victims.
"It makes you face the reality of bad car crashes," sophomore Ashley Pira said. "It showed us the effects of unsafe driving."
Rescue squad members used hydraulic tools to take the doors off, cut the roof and remove other car parts to make the process of helping the victim out of the car easier.
The hydraulic tools cut 90,000 pounds of force, Lt. Robert McDonnell said.
"We’re just trying to show you, if you’re hurt, what’s going to happen around you," he said.
Lt. McDonnell also reminded students of the importance of wearing seat belts for the passengers in the back seat.
Driver education teacher Charlie Davis gave pointers on how to avoid broken necks and assured students that if they are ever in a position where the Jaws of Life may have to be used, there will always be help around.
"EMTs are constantly monitoring the victim and talking you through it," Mr. Davis said.
Mr. Davis reminded students how the headrests, attached to the driver’s and passenger’s seats, should fit the driver’s head, since the headrests may protect someone’s neck from snapping forward and back and possibly causing paralysis.
"The purpose of the lesson was to make the students aware of the various safety features of the car and how they can protect you," Mr. Davis said. "The forces generated in a auto accident are greater than the forces used to remove the door or roof. Hopefully they will understand and remember to buckle up every time they get into a car."

