This guide should be considered an operational extrication text.  The goals behind the book are to provide a good basis to the principles of extrication rescue techniques, through the use of clear colorful diagrams and simple explanatory text.

Advanced patient care will not be covered in this book.  The reason for this is that I would like to focus on sound extrication principles.  Emergency care of the entrapped patient is a subject well covered by many other texts dedicated to this topic.

It is however well understood that good patient care during any extrication effort is an important aspect of any successful rescue and it is strongly advised that skills in patient treatment do not go unmentioned in any extrication-training program developed.

This book is by no means the last word on vehicle extrication.  It does not represent all the good ideas in the field.  It must be mentioned that in all cases of conflict with the content of this book, guidelines from your local authority should be followed.  It is not possible to cover every eventuality in the vehicle extrication arena.  This text covers certain generic principles that can be used or adapted to every situation.  It is also essential that this publication be seen as a resource to complement a good vehicle extrication training course.  The techniques described in this text can only be used effectively when practiced after training in a team-orientated manner.

Vehicle Extrication Techniques has been written with the latest developments in vehicle construction in mind.  There may be several new approaches covered that are not currently approved or used by your local authority.  Like all new extrication techniques it is strongly recommended that they first be practiced by your team in a controlled training environment before being adopted into standard practice.  The techniques described in this text have also been performed and developed using the latest advances in extrication rescue equipment and therefore it may be necessary to check the ability of your equipment before going ahead with certain techniques. 

Whatever your professional discipline; rescuer, fire fighter, paramedic, law enforcement or military, I trust that you will find studying this book as much fun as I have had writing it.

Brendon Morris

Technical Rescue Consultant, Holmatro Rescue Equipment

Btec EMC, NDip AEC

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