Two CRUTCH units in a "tensioned buttress" setup. The forward unit end-tool is in a hole in the unit-body. The rear end-tool has a flat insertion tool under the rocker channel. Handles, shown attached, convert the CRUTCH to a lolly column.

As fire/rescue personnel be-come more familiar with tensioned buttress stabilization for vehicle rescue, additional manufacturers are developing new stabilization systems. This article will feature two new systems and explain their operation. Both systems, designed primarily for stabilization of passenger cars and light trucks, are used in conjunction with cribbing and employ the tensioned buttress concept.

The CRUTCH

A Florida extrication team helped design the CRUTCH vehicle stabilization system to reduce the time required to stabilize vehicles on their sides, roofs or on top of other objects. One CRUTCH is positioned on the roof side of the rollover vehicle, preferably near the firewall area. A second CRUTCH is located along the undercarriage, opposite and across from the first unit. Used in pairs, each CRUTCH consists of 11¼2-inch-square steel tubing that adjusts from 48 inches to a fully extended length of 76 inches. As the upper tube telescopes out to the required length, it is pinned in place. The steel tubing is plated with "yellow zinc," an application proven to outlast paint coatings. Adjusting the length allows the operator to attain the optimum angle of 75 degrees, a most important item to consider when placing tensioned stabilization equipment in position. This angle is good to keep the base from slipping out should the nylon strap be inadvertently cut. Seventy-five degrees is easy for firefighters to reference because it is the typical climbing angle for a ladder.

The base of the CRUTCH has an opening for spiking to the ground. A ratchet and one-inch webbing are permanently attached.

The upper end of the CRUTCH tubing accepts a two-headed accessory called the end-tool. On one side of the end-tool is a rod that fits into holes or corner areas. On the other side of the end-tool is a flat insertion plate end that fits into slender areas such as the hood, trunk and fender seams.

Each CRUTCH has an attached base plate with a non-skid surface secured to it along with a ratchet device, one inch-wide webbing and steel hooks. The metal hooks on the web are attached to firm points low along the vehicle. It is this ratchet and straps that tension the CRUTCH units’ final position. To support an object such as a pole that has fallen on a vehicle, two CRUTCH tools can be formed into an "X" with the top of the X used to capture the pole. The base plates are held together with the ratchet straps. By detaching the unit’s carrying handle, itself a steel threaded rod with a square collar, rescuers can convert the CRUTCH into a lolly column for supporting loads up to 750 pounds at other types of rescue incidents.

Res-Q-Jack

The Companion Jacks stabilize the vehicle opposite the Res-Q-Jack. Note the inboard straps are joined together. This bonding helps resist torsional movement of the vehicle.

The Res-Q-Jack system differs from the CRUTCH in that it actually employs a jacking device and two Companion Jacks to create three tensioned stabilization points around a vehicle on its edge. The Companion Jacks consist of telescopic perforated steel tubes which allow for height adjustment in two-inch increments.

The upper end of each Compan-ion Jack is pointed, allowing it to be braced against a strong point on the roof side of the vehicle. Attached at the base plates area pair of two-inch-wide nylon straps, each with an aluminum cam buckle and a metal hook. Once all components are in place, one simple pull on the strap releases the cam buckle and tensions the stabilization system. The inside straps of each Companion Jack can be joined to further resist torsional movement of the vehicle.

The Res-Q-Jack unit secures to the Jack Post and stabilizes against the rocker channel with the lip of the Jack.

The Jacking Post, which is positioned on the opposite side from the Companion Jacks, consists of a 78-inch fixed-length steel tube with a swivel base plate, two straps and cam buckles. In use, the actual Res-Q-Jack unit slides onto this post and once in place, is cranked up or down. The jack has a unique mechanism which locks itself to the steel upright under load. When unloaded, the mechanism releases and the jack slides up or down to the required position. The rolled metal lip of the Res-Q-Jack is designed to catch the vehicle’s rocker channel edge. Turning the side wind jack handle loads the jack against the vehicle.

With a vehicle completely on its roof, cribbing and the Res-Q-Jack can be used together for vehicle stabilization. A rescue strap or chain is hooked at each end to a secure point at the rear or front of the vehicle. Cribbing is placed at the opposite end from the Res-Q-Jack. The center of the strap or chain is then placed over the lip of the Res-Q-Jack and the adjustable straps secured low on the vehicle. Although the Res-Q-Jack is not for hoisting loads, as the handle is operated, the jack will tighten to stabilize and relieve the load on the overturned vehicle.

CRUTCH Fact Sheet Weight: 17 pounds per CRUTCH Material: 11¼2-inch square steel tubing Yellow zinc coated base plate: 6 inch x 6 inch with non-skid grid Length: 48 inch to 76 inch End-tool rod: length 11¼2-inch End-tool insertion plate: 21¼2-inch wide flange Screw jack: eight-inch length, functions as carrying handle, converts CRUTCH to 750-pound capacity lolly column Webbing: 1 inch x 11 feet 8 inch length, 3,300# rating Adjustment: 1-inch wide ratchet device Special features: all attachment pins have retainer cables Retail price: $495/pair plus shipping and handling Manufacturer: Alpha Rescue Products Inc. Clearwater, FL 727-786-9648 smbff@gte.net

Res-Q-Jack Fact Sheet Companion Jack Weight: 12 pounds each Material: 11¼2-inch square steel tubing, painted Base plate: 3 inch x 5 inch with diamond plate surface length: 50-inch to 86-inch End-tool: 2-inch pointed end Webbing: 20-inch wide nylon strapping, 100-inch length, two each Adjustment: 2-inch wide quick- release cam buckles Jacking Post Weight: 16 pounds Material: 11¼2-inch square steel tubing, painted Length: 78-inches Base plate: 3-inch x 5-inch Webbing: 2-inch wide nylon strapping, 100-inch length, two each Adjustment: quick release clamp Jacking Unit Jack: side wind-type, handle permanently attached Weight: 14 pounds Material: 2-inch round steel tubing, painted Length: 22-inch to 341¼2-inch Jack tongue: 4-inch wide x 6-inch deep with 4-inch x 11¼2-inch angle iron lip Retail price: $649/set plus shipping and handling Manufacturer: Cepco Tool Co. PO Box 153 Spencer, NY 14883 800-466-9626