Even as cars are growing safer, they are becoming increasingly complex puzzles for rescue workers who might have to cut into them. A new app promises to make the job a little easier.
The myriad threats facing workers include undetonated airbags and seatbelt pretensioners that could cause further injuries if deployed. Hybrids and electric vehicles have fail-safe fuses that cut off electrical power in a collision, but it's always best to avoid wires that might be energized. In addition, many vehicles have specific points specifically designed for easy cutting in the event of a resuce.
Extraction Zones, developed by Bohemian Innovation of Austin, Texas, provides clear diagrams of what lies beneath a vehicle's skin. The idea came from a firefighter and paramedic; the data was drawn from existing vehicle schematics. It's the design and portability that makes it unique.
"The situations that these men and women find themselves in is next to impossible for most people to comprehend," said company CEO Albert Swantner. "We outlined a design approach that allows the users to navigate to the vehicle of their choice using the fewest possible clicks."
To that end, Extraction Zones overlays vehicle components using multi-layered, color coded graphics. The user interface is simple.
"There is no splash screen to sit through, first responders can select and deselect what they wish to see at any given time, as well as choose a day or night vision mode to modify the colors as needed," Swantner said. "Each car layout also has the ability to zoom in and out easily."
It's only available for the iPhone right now, but Android and iPad versions are coming soon. Swantner says insurance companies and fire departments in Nevada, California and Texas are interested and users in more than 30 countries have downloaded it.
"Together, our goal is to create a comprehensive, effective tool that will be used by both professional and volunteer first responders all over the world," he said.
*Photo: Andy Ciordia / Flickr *
