![]() ![]() With 7,000 employees and manufacturing operations in more than 20 countries, IDEX is a high-performing, global $2+ billion company committed to making trusted solutions that improve lives. Founded in 1988 with three small, entrepreneurial manufacturing companies, we’re proud to say that we now call 40 diverse businesses around the world part of the IDEX family. Our distribution partners provide excellent sales, service and training to fire and rescue departments, emergency services, military installations and government agencies across North America and beyond.Īnd thanks to IDEX, our parent company, we’ve made connections with fire and safety groups worldwide. HURST Jaws of Life has the strongest network of distributors in the industry with extensive coverage throughout the United States, Canada, Latin America and the rest of the world. DISTRIBUTION Our products travel with more than 35,000 rescue squads and fire and police departments throughout the world.A combination tool can shave precious seconds off a rescue, lessening the chance of harm or stress to a victim.George HURST and Bill Campbell at the dedication ceremony of the building that ultimately would become the first headquarters for HURST Jaws of Life. That’s where rams come in, where a sturdy metal alloy rod is pressed forward to punch or ram apart sections of an accident that may be pinning a victim down and preventing their extrication.Ĭombination Tools: Instead of carrying multiple tools around, combination tools allow firefighters to use one device to both cut and spread damaged areas and extricate victims. Rams: While creating openings are important, there are times when a firefighter needs to dislodge parts of wreckage, like a steering column or a dashboard. Using immense hydraulic pressure, they cut through metals to remove damaged and dangerous obstructions, allowing openings for firefighters to extricate victims. Like a pair of reversed scissors, spreaders start in a closed position and apply outward force, moving apart steel and fiberglass frames with ease, giving victims the space to be removed from a hazard.Ĭutters: A more efficient version of the old-school circular saws and the opposite of spreaders, cutters operate like scissors on steroids. Spreaders: Hydraulic spreaders are primarily used for compressed car frames and other damaged and collapsing structures. There are four types of Jaws of Life tools. Rather than an hour or more extricating a victim, the Jaws of Life can remove a car roof in roughly two minutes. A gasoline or electrical power source pushes hydraulic fluid into the first piston, which then pushes down the second piston and applies immense pressure into the tool quickly. The Jaws of Life tool uses a piston system, similar to a car engine. The tool became an essential rescue device due to its speed. Oil can be used in many types of hydraulic equipment, but because oil is extremely flammable, the Jaws of Life typically use phosphate ester fluid, which is non-flammable and does not conduct electricity. Most hydraulic equipment uses some sort of incompressible fluid to help create optimal force. They’re noisy, which just adds to the stress and strain a victim might be enduringīecause they are “hydraulic” tools, the Jaws of Life are aided by fluid. In this case it would include car doors, buses etc. ![]() The tools can be cumbersome and take longer for rescue, exacerbating the probability of injury The Jaws of Life is a tool that helps cut through heavy materials. ![]() Traditional saws can cause sparks, increasing the possibility for fire and explosion There were several drawback to using saws exclusively: Rescuers typically used circular saws to cut open car frames. Saws were used most often before the Jaws of Life were invented. ![]()
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