Extrication.Com
19 Baldwin Circle
Plymouth, MA  02360
-USA-

Modified Dash Roll (MDR)

Extrication.Com's "Modified Dash Roll"

Intermediate Skills Level Technique

Modified Dash Roll: The above photo is an example where the "Modified Dash Roll" can be used during a vehicle rescue when the conventional dash roll is impractical, not possible.

During an Extrication.Com heavy truck training program a vehicle under ride scenario (ten wheel dump truck vs. car crash) was staged for the Monroe CT Fire Department. Using conventional method of dashboard displacement would be impossible in this given situation.

Can the MDR really save time? The best time reported time during an actual crash was done by a signal operator (Fairfax VA firefighter/instructor) in a remarkable 3:42 time; as clocked by his incident commander.

What is the Modified Dash Roll (MDR)?

The MDR is a variation of the conventional dash roll or dash board displacement. It omits or reduces the need to removing all glazing, roof and doors. The technique is not a does all procedure and should be considered as an option or another "tool in the box" for the responder to consider.

The MDR was intended to replace the conventional dash board displacement, it is an alternative to the conventional dash displacement technique. The MDR has the many benefits when there is a dashboard entrapment in a crash vehicle, but not limited to the following:

•     Reduces the need to remove all glazing
•     Can be used for vehicle under/over rides
•     Rapid intervention is possible 4-6 minutes or less
•     By-passes most active side impact protection
•     Eliminates the need for roof removal
•     Reduces the need to remove doors
•     Eliminates the front end from diving down
•     Does not move the patient if hyper-   
      extending the lift is required

For decades since the introduction of hydraulic rescue tools by George Hurst responders have performed the following tasks when performing a dash displacement:

•     Stabilization
•     Glass management
•     Roof removal
•     Door removal
•     Displacement of the dash

However, it should be noted that displacing a dashboard does not require that both roof nor doors be removed. Omitting this step eliminates much of the glass removal. The average time to perform all these tasks requires added manpower and needless time consuming tasks required to perform the conventional dash displacement.

Who developed the Modified Dash Roll? The Modified Dash Roll (MDR) was originally conceived by Extrication.Com's founder Ron Shaw in 1998 to cope with active side impact protection (compressed gas inflators) and ROP/ROPSs. The development phase took almost a year to reach a point where the technique would work flawlessly in any modern crash vehicle.   

Why developed the Modified Dash Roll? During static bench testing of compressed gas (hybrid) inflators it was demonstrated that when heavy rescue tools breached the harden case the metal fractured causing a sudden release of the pressurized gases resulting in projectiles.

Concerned with responder safety Shaw studied the modern vehicle construction for passenger vehicles and not long after modified conventional dash roll.

The new concept leaves the doors and the roof on vs. removing doors and roof displacing (full or partial flapping) or removing the roof (total removal). Leaving doors and the roof on eliminates time consuming tasks associated with the conventional method for dashboard displacement.

How far will the Modified Dash Roll displace the dashboard? Using a large spreader with 32-in arms will lift the dash up and out through the windshield line approximately 14-inches. When done properly, the dash can be slightly hyper-extended and will settle back slightly, usually not more than 4-inches.

Why not remove the doors? Door removal in most instances is unnecessary. Extrication.Com teaches a rule of thumb; "If you can displace a door 90-degrees or better the opening will not increase by removing the doors". Unless required due to the nature of the crash or better access, leave the door on. Door removal can greatly increase the overall time to mitigate the rescue. Often the responder becomes obsessed with not letting the door get the best of them using heavy rescue tools they loose sight of the mission. Cutting the door off from the hinges increases the risk of damaging the tool to the point that they warp or fracture. If this happens the operation reverts back to a hand/power tool operation that most responders no longer have the skills. Leaving the door on will also give greater rigidity to the A-pillar and enhance the lift when using large spreaders.

What tools are required for the Modified Dash Roll? The Modified Dash Roll can be completed in 4-6 minutes or less by one responder with two heavy rescue tools: (1) cutter (the larger the better) and (1) large spreader. While a ram can be used, a 28-inch (or larger) spreader works best for this method. Most departments are setup for a two-tool operation, using cutters and spreaders. In this situation time is spent dumping the system, unhooking the couplers and then attaching the third tool (ram). Using a large ram is not recommended, this causes the dash to push forward rather than rotating up and away.

How can I get a detailed explanation of the Modified Dash Roll? Extrication.Com has developed a stand alone PDF slide show or non edible PowerPoint presentation; complete with instructor notes and student handouts on a CD.

If interested, send a postage paid self addressed CD Mailer check for $50 USD to:

Extrication.Com
19 Baldwin Circle
Plymouth, MA 02360
USA

Note: Extrication.Com does not teach this technique in the basic skills programs instead we choose to present this in our intermediate and advanced programs. It is not a does all technique, and we feel that the other techniques should be learned prior to the MDR. Once students have mastered conventional methods to displace a dash, they then can progress to the MDR.

Last modified: 05/10/08