Grain Bin rescue

Most rescuers are taught to make cuts in the side walls of grain bins to rescue trapped people. Have you used this technique? Does it work well? What tools do you find work best? Any problems?

Heres something to try to see how this technique works!

Take a spring water bottle (the big kind like in the water coolers in offices), cut two holes on opposite sides and attach the cut pieces bach on hinges (so you can close the holes back up...same as you would cut a bin). Cut the top open to facilitate ease of refilling. Fill the bin with birdseed or small grain. Put an action figure in the grain and bury it. Now open the opposing hatches and watch the grain fall out and away from the victim.. You will need to build a platform also to set the bin into and collect the grain.

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sort of like this.....but i cant get it to fit right.



[This message has been edited by e33 (edited July 18, 1999).]

first thing you need in a grain bin rescue is people who are used to working around grain and grain bins. once you cjt a hole in the side of a bin, you have opened a floodgate that you are not going to be able to shut off. you will not only need to be able to move and control the flow of grain, but also keep track of your patient and any personnel that may be in the flow path. also realize that ten thousand bushels of grain in a bin looks a lot different than the same amount on the ground.
if i were going to take this route with a bin, i would consider cutting the bolts on three sides of a panel and peeling it away. then if you needed to slow or stop the flow, you have a gate in place,

A "v" cut is often used to unload the grain in a bin.
There should be at least 3 cuts made in the bin depending on its size.
The cuts should be an equal distance around the bin. The cut creats a flap which can be pulled open to allow faster grain flow, or pushed shut to almost stop the grain flow.
When using this procedure it is important to flow the grain from all sides at an equal rate to prevent collapse.
Remember that you have to do something with the grain you have let out. It will quickly pile up and become an obstical to the rescue.
While the patient is of primary concern(just behind the recuers), try to make all of the cuts on the same level (ring). This will allow the farmer to repair his bin with the least amount of cost. This is absolutely a secondary concern as the saftey and welfare of the rescuers and the victim is priority.
It is a good idea to have a charged line flowing when you make these cuts. Grain dust is explosive!
I have seen these cuts be made with a fire axe.
Remember any pernonnel inside should be properly secured by a rope so that they don't also become a victim to flowing grain. If you are up to your knees you will not get out without help.

Play Safe,
Dave

Dave mentioned flowing grain. In the middle 70s we responded to a shelled corn entrapment. A boy, around age 8, jumped from the top of a bin onto corn that was being unloaded with a bottom auger. God must have been watching out for him. His father turned the auger off just as it pulled him in, up to his chin. His twin brother was with him and alerted their dad. Pieces of plywood and sheet metal were forced down into the corn about a foot from him. We then remove corn from within the box and pushed in other pieces and removed more corn until his legs were free.