Rescue Sheets essential for EuroNCAP ratings

30 May 2023

Post-crash safety is critical to how quickly the emergency services can locate the accident and administer medical assistance.

Car safety has improved massively over the last 20 years or so.  This has been achieved through improved structural integrity, leading to much less collapse of the passenger compartment and intrusion of the steering wheel, dashboard etc, and by the greater use of restraint systems such as airbags.  As a result, occupant entrapment is less common than it used to be.  However, where it does happen, extrication can be more difficult than it was. The use of high-strength steels requires specialised cutting equipment and the more widespread use of airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners poses a hazard both to those trapped in the vehicle and to those trying to free them.  Euro NCAP rewards those vehicles for which a ‘rescue sheet’ is made available by the manufacturer .  This sheet is readily available to first-responders and identifies potential hazards such as the location of airbags, pre-tensioners and critical wiring, as well as the best places to cut open the structure.  Time saved in freeing the occupants is critical to their chances of survival.

Additional points can be scored by vehicles equipped with eCall and/or multi-collision braking.