Hybrid
Diagnostics

This story from nbc4.com highlights the dangers first responders face with hybrid vehicles. Since many hybrid vehicles do not have the “hybrid look” these first responders are trained to look inside any vehicle for signs of being a hybrid.  As stated in the article:

Officials say rescue crews face challenges in extricating occupants from a hybrid vehicle. Before a trapped victim can be cut out, trained eyes must check for critical markings, and from the outside it can be tricky.

During a training exercise involving hybrid cars, Matt Groff with the Fairfax County Fire Department said the Ford hybrid Escape looks the same as the regular gas vehicle, and so do some of the Hondas.

So first responders are trained to look for warning flags on the inside of the cars.

In a less drastic way technicians face the same dangers.

As more hybrid vehicles enter the market and become more “normal” looking it becomes extremely important for technians and ALL shop employees to recognize the signs that a given vehicle is a hybrid.

Posted under Safety