About a week ago, I performed my first auto extrication. Last Friday night, we were called to an intersection where someone had pulled out in front of a sheriff deputy. Both drivers were injured, but the deputy was able to get out without having to be extricated. The person in the other vehicle, wasn't so lucky.

Our rescue truck came with a crew of three. We got the assignment of extrication. When we got on the scene, the driver raised the stadium lights, while the person in the officer's seat started up the hydraulic engine. I just took the spreaders and started walking. When I was sure that I had enough tubing, I started tward the crash. In all actuallity, I was not expecting to be the one popping the door, but as soon as I got to the scene, they told me to pop it.

Need less to say, I was nervous. The only other time I've ever done that was during fire class. Anyway, I stuck the tips of the spreaders between the door and the car and started prying. The door eventually popped open and I just stepped aside, allowing the medic crew to do their thing.

As that was all going on, I was quite overwhelmed... but as I started doing it, it just came to me. After it was all over, I felt good. I knew I made some mistakes, but it wasn't bad for my first one.