The prius from a Fire/EMS workers perspective

[quadracer1014]

Ok heres some info for you.
Im a fire/medic/extrication tech/hazmat tech.

Prius's well hybrids in general are the worst vehicle you could get into a serious accident with.

Reasons:

High voltage lines running thru them when we are cutting cars apart to get you out of them not all the lines are clearly visible. That puts not only your life in danger but mine too.

Another reason. Even with the key out of the ignition. Or out of the area for those that have wireless type ignitions we have to wait 45 minutes before we can do anything with it. even after we disconnect the engine start battery the main battery holds a residual charge and can allow the car to move.

The worst reason yet. Most areas will not allow you to extricate without a hazmat team present because of the size and nature of the batteries in prius's and other hybrids

[fuzzy1]

I must call BS, because it flatly contradicts so many other sources of hybrid safety information. In other contexts, this is called FUD.

Where did you get the training that makes these claims?

Other sources indicate that the fuel and airbags are more dangerous than the hybrid electrics. Do you call out hazmat techs for all vehicles that contain fuel or airbags?

[rjm06590]

actually its true they teach the same things in our are. My uncle is a captain in NY and was tellin me about them couple weeks ago

[Bigfarmtruck]

no what he is saying if you grap the jaws of life or saw outta the back of that fire truck and go to cut someone out of a hybrid there is electrial lines running all threw that car and we dont know excatly where if we cut into one geuss what happens to us we get shocked maybe even kill us fuel and air bag is a total different story fuel only lights with a spark

[AGP]

Originally Posted by fuzzy1

I must call BS, because it flatly contradicts so many other sources of hybrid safety information. In other contexts, this is called FUD.

Where did you get the training that makes these claims?

Other sources indicate that the fuel and airbags are more dangerous than the hybrid electrics. Do you call out hazmat techs for all vehicles that contain fuel or airbags?

A hybrid vehicle has high voltage lines that are live after a crash. If a firefighter has to use cutting tools to extract the person from vehicle who knows if they are going to hit one of these wires. If the batteries crack during the crash, those could also leak highly toxic chemicals.

[quadracer1014]

Originally Posted by fuzzy1

I must call BS, because it flatly contradicts so many other sources of hybrid safety information. In other contexts, this is called FUD.

Where did you get the training that makes these claims?

Other sources indicate that the fuel and airbags are more dangerous than the hybrid electrics. Do you call out hazmat techs for all vehicles that contain fuel or airbags?

That info and training comes straight from the NFPA and Toyota actually

[TheForce]

This is complete FUD. Here is the Prius Emergency Response Guide straight from Toyota.

http://jaygroh.dreamhost.com/prius/P...ce%20Guide.pdf

[Bigfarmtruck]

sounds like that are the ones that need some training on there own cars

[Tideland Prius]

If you can't see the bright orange wires, then maybe you're not fit for the job??

plus more and more cars are coming with keyless ignition so how is it limited to hybrids?

[efusco]

You have no idea what you're talking about and should surrender your license as a medic if you believe this drivel. There is absolutely nothing anywhere in any reputable forum that suggests anything like a 45 minute wait to rescue a person in a hybrid or "touch the vehicle". First of all, if the risk of electrical shock were that great they'd teach you how to ground the vehicle.
Second, the battery is designed to disconnect in an accident.
Third, the procedure to manually disconnect is very simple and you should have learned that.
Fourth, when cutting through a vehicle you rarely, if ever, cut through the floor of the vehicle or the engine compartment.
Fifth, if you do have to cut through those areas you simply avoid the areas where the blaze orange cables run (some vehicles they're bright purple, but most are orange), then don't cut them.

There've been numerous accidents with Prii, some very severe...there've been ZERO reports of any rescue personel injured during these accidents...that's because they're very safe. If you're worried about anything in particular...watch out for that big tank of gasoline.

BTW, your trolling titer is getting pretty high...just about to my threshold.