Concerns RE: EMS removing my seats.

Mae

Well-known member

• Sep 20, 2010

• #1

I was thinking the other day, if I were to ever get into a crash with one of the kids, would EMS know how to take my seats out to keep the kids in before getting to the hospital?

I ask because I don't use a seat belt install with my Radians, and the LATCH connectors/anchors are very hidden. Also, you would have to physically peel the cover back to loosen the connectors before unLATCHing them. I know they have magical tools that can cut through anything, but honestly, I don't think they could fit their tools to GET to the LATCH strap.

There is also the tether strap, which even *I* fight with from time to time (you have to uninstall, then loosen before you can pop it off and it's just a royal PITA for some reason) but they can just take their magical tools to that and cut it. So I'm not worried about that.

Does anybody else share this concern with me? Pictures below to show the discreetness of my LATCH connectors. Without the seatbelt pulled back, the LATCH strap is almost completely hidden.

 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob

Staff member

• Sep 20, 2010

• #2

Remember that in a crash, those belts are going to stretch. I think they'd be able to cut them.

If they weren't, they'd stabilize the child and remove from the seat if absolutely necessary.

 

littleangelfire

Well-known member

• Sep 20, 2010

• #3

I'm no EMS, but I would think that they are so used to dealing with such things that they wouldn't have any issues

 

Mae

Well-known member

• Sep 20, 2010

• #4

ketchupqueen said:

Remember that in a crash, those belts are going to stretch. I think they'd be able to cut them.

Click to expand...

Duh, I suppose I forgot about that tiny factor.

I suppose once it is all stretched out, they could just cut 'em. Well that makes me feel better. LOL.

 

natysr

New member

• Sep 20, 2010

• #5

DH was in an accident. The base of Jordan's infant seat was installed in the back. Jordan was not in the car with him.

EMS cut the latch strap that the base was installed with.

 

Mae

Well-known member

• Sep 20, 2010

• #6

natysr said:

DH was in an accident. The base of Jordan's infant seat was installed in the back. Jordan was not in the car with him.

EMS cut the latch strap that the base was installed with.

Click to expand...

They cut the base out ... even though J wasn't in the car?

 

natysr

New member

• Sep 20, 2010

• #7

Mae said:

They cut the base out ... even though J wasn't in the car?

Click to expand...

yep. I don't know why. we didn't notice until we went to the tow yard to get our belongings out.

Either it was a message to say...hey, don't use this again....or maybe they needed to bet behind DH to check him out, move him, etc. Dunno.

DH didn't wake up until he was already on the stretcher.

 

NannyMom

Well-known member

• Sep 20, 2010

• #8

Mae said:

They cut the base out ... even though J wasn't in the car?

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When I took my tech course, 1 of the instructors was EMS. He said he makes sure his "guys" know to cut harnesses and seatbelts to guarantee replacement. And, since the base should be replaced after a crash anyway, I could see them cutting it.

 

Aurezalia

Well-known member

• Sep 20, 2010

• #9

Goodness girl, stop procrastinating! :ROTFLMAO:

 

Mae

Well-known member

• Sep 20, 2010

• #10

That makes logical sense. Although, if a parent really wanted to, they could just use the seat belt ...

 

Mae

Well-known member

• Sep 20, 2010

• #11

Aurezalia said:

Goodness girl, stop procrastinating! :ROTFLMAO:

Click to expand...

Who are you to talk?!

 

Aurezalia

Well-known member

• Sep 21, 2010

• #12

Mae said:

Who are you to talk?!

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I'm DONE is who I am, thank you very much!

 

fyrfightermomma

New member

• Sep 21, 2010

• #13

We can bust into buildings no one else can get into We'd be fine, I promise.

They would just get cut

 

CTPDMom

Ambassador - CPS Technician

• Sep 21, 2010

• #14

Even if they couldn't quickly get the entire seat out, they are equipped to safely remove the child from the seat for transport. Most likely they'd cut the harness straps and slip a KED in behind the child, buckle them into the KED and then remove. For small babies they can use a rigid splint to do c-spine stabilization if they have to remove from the car seat.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kendrick_Extrication_Device

I wouldn't worry about it!