Raising the hood allows responders to evaluate potential hazards in & around the motor compartment
Story & Photos by Les Baker

Download a PDF to help walk you through the steps of determining whether you should raise the hood (RaisetheHood-Flowchart.pdf).

Due to the increasing number of high-tech devices we’re seeing built into vehicles these days, instructors teach students to always expose areas where they’ll need to perform tactics. However, it’s uncommon to find instructional material or see training that involves raising the hood. Responders are risking injury and possibly even complicating operations by not evaluating potential hazards in and around the motor compartment.

In most collisions that require a dash displacement, raising the hood may not be necessary because of the resulting damage. If there is a gap between the hood and front quarter panel, look for an upper rail and examine its condition. If a rail is not present or a relief cut is not needed, proceed with the typical steps for a dash displacement.

There will also be instances when the hood has not been displaced enough to allow you to see the motor compartment or for proper cutter positioning.

Benefits of Raising the Hood
Although raising the hood isn’t always needed, doing so during training allows responders to check the engine compartment and assist with dash-displacement tactics. Those responders who advocate not making relief cuts during dash displacements should at least be able to visualize the motor compartment to make an educated decision as to whether the cut is needed.

There are several advantages to raising the hood. Raising the hood can help you:

Locate an Upper Rail: Depending on vehicle type and construction, an upper rail may be present. Raising the hood allows you to determine if an upper rail is present, the extent of damage and, based on experience and knowledge, whether a relief cut is necessary.

Locate Engine Compartment Components: The location of components in the engine compartment varies by vehicle make and model. In certain cases, these hazards may be unavoidable, and responders should be prepared for them. Something as simple as puncturing a windshield washer fluid reservoir may create hazards (i.e., slip, flammable or health hazards). An additional benefit of raising the hood is the ability to identify any pre-existing holes that may assist with operations. Photo 3 at right shows just a few of the hazards present on a 2011 Buick Lacrosse in the area of the driver’s side upper rail.

Identify the Proper Location for a Relief Cut: The approximate location of a relief cut in the upper rail may appear obvious based on the location of the tire and strut tower. Responders may cut into the strut top where the strut connects to the body, and the strut top could extend as much as 10 inches to each side of the strut connection point. For the relief cut to be effective, the upper rail should be severed between the strut top and dash.

Assist with Relief Cut Depth & Cutter Movement: The cutter has the natural tendency to rotate until the blades are flat on the material being cut, and they will rotate to that point in one direction or the other based on the resistance at the tips. In situations where the hood has not been displaced, that movement is typically downward, toward the front wheel or the ground. This movement could injure responders or cause vehicle movement if the tool contacts the ground. By raising the hood, the cutter can be placed at a higher angle that allows a deeper cut and upward movement if the cutter rotates. Additionally, it gives the cutter blade tips something to grasp. This results in a more efficient operation because it requires fewer cuts. The average cutter opening is 5 to 8 inches. With the hood displaced, the cutter may be able to complete the upper rail cut at one time. Even if the relief cut can’t be completed in one cut, it’s much easier to visualize what remains and the need for additional cuts.

How to Raise the Hood
Responders should raise the hood early during the dash displacement to allow the disentanglement group supervisor and other responders to identify what steps they’ll need to complete the operation. Because responders are raising the hood several inches and already have spreaders in the immediate area, the additional step only takes a few seconds.

Spread at the hinge area or the patient-compartment side of the hinge with the intent of deforming it to the point that it does not require any additional actions or equipment to keep the hood in the raised position. Spreading between the latch and hinge may accomplish this task, but there’s a chance that the latch may release, causing the hood to react violently. Even when the hood is not latched and can be opened, consider spreading at the rear to eliminate the need to have additional personnel or equipment hold it open.

There are two basic ways to raise the hood.
1. Parallel to Hinge: Place the spreader tips between the hood and dash at the base of the windshield. Due to the pre-existing gap, this may be the best option if the front quarter panel has not been displaced or if the damage has not created a purchase point near the hinge. Ensure that the patient is protected, as this method may result in glass fragments.

2. Perpendicular to Hinge: Place the spreader tips between the hood and quarter panel or upper rail. This method allows easier spreader operation and does not require the responder to be positioned near the front door, possibly interfering with other tactics or emergency care. Purchase points may be available near the hinge as a result of the damage.

There are a low percentage of vehicles where the hood hinges are actually on the front. Completing this technique in the manner described will still allow clearance and further examination of the engine compartment.

Check out a video of an improper relief cut here.

Try It!
During training, students should be taught how to complete tactics based on the worst-case scenario. When completing dash displacements, the worst-case scenario for rescuers is actually the best-case scenario for occupants. When there’s just enough damage to trap the occupant, but not enough to generate relief points and cause the hood and quarter panel to be displaced, responders must complete more work for the displacement to be suitable. Even if raising the hood is not required, being able to see the motor compartment is necessary during dash displacements.

Les Baker, a 12-year veteran of the fire service, is an assistant engineer with the City of Charleston (S.C.) Fire Department and a volunteer with the Darlington County (S.C.) Fire District. He has an associate’s degree in fire science from Pikes Peak Community College. Baker is an adjunct instructor with the South Carolina Fire Academy, a member of the Darlington County Extrication Team and a co-contributor to www.navra.net.

A special thanks to Joe’s Towing.

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