Alternative methods in RTC extraction are those that are out of the norm, using many different tools and techniques.
Hydraulic tools are used extensively to remove doors, tailgates and other parts of a vehicle in road accident rescues. However, the use of a cordless Impact Wrench can allow rescuers to remove these within minutes.
This technique can also remove the need for hard protection, with no sharp edges left and the risk of accidental Airbag activation greatly reduced.
Images: Alternative Methods in RTC Extraction
Some crash damaged vehicles require other techniques, but with good vehicle knowledge the use of this type of tool can prove invaluable.
With limited funds this may be a tool that a lot of rescue services may not be able to afford, however they can at least try it to experience how effective it can be.
Metal Shears
The pictures below show the use of metal shears or in old money Zip Guns powered by air. Today these tools are now cordless, which makes their use at incidents a lot easier and less cumbersome.
Images: Alternative Methods in RTC Extraction
They can be used for the roof flap, by using the shear to cut across the first roof skin. This takes away a lot of the structural strength which makes flapping the roof a lot easier, with less brute strength needed. Some vehicles may have 2 skins, so in this case you can leave the inner skin as this will not hinder the flap that much, since a lot of its integral strength has already been removed.
If the roof only has one skin then you could use the shear to completely cut off the roof by cutting across the entire roof, this could also be done with a reciprocating saw, a benefit of the shear is there is very little noise or vibration.
Another way in which this tool can be used is to assist with flapping the roof down on a vehicle resting on its side. In the above pictures show cutting across the roof parallel to the upper side rail, once finished the cut across the roof, the inner skin can be dealt with if there is one with the reciprocating saw or repeat the above from the inside if you can, depending on what the roof lining is like. You will have to deal with that on the outcome of your assessment.
By using this technique to flap the roof there should be no need to manage the upper door glass, not needing to cut the A-B-C posts which will remove a lot of the risk of impeding on side SRS systems, although you must still carry out the peel and reveal protocols.
One point to think about is that any reinforcing or obstructions under the metal skin your are cutting can stop the tool, with practice you will see this and see how you can work around these problems, and secondly creasing in the metal will hinder the tool at times and creasing will as we know effect the flapping of the metal.
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