Emergency Extraction Tool Kit

[John DeRosa]

My club is looking into building a kit of tools (similar to the emergency first aid kit we have) to have on hand in case of an accident where we need to assist extrication of the pilot(s).  We hope we will never need to use it but you just never know.  

While it would be best to have experts perform the extrication - our field is not near a fire station and time can be of critical importance.

This tool kit will need to fit into a semi-large strong+light "Copolymer Resin" tool box that we already have purchased (8" X 25").

Suggestions on what we should we add to the kit?

Thank you.

John (OHM)

[Roy Bourgeois]

John

That's a worthy exercise.  Here are a few ideas:

The largest fire extinguisher you can fit into the box

Cutting tool sharp and big enough to cut seat belt and parachute webbing

Bolt cutter sufficient to cut rudder cables

A coarse tooth hand saw of the type used to cut brush

A Tost ring and some strong rope

Roll of duct tape

One of the biggest challenges in glider pilot extrication is getting the broken canopy away from the pilot

ROY

[Dan Daly]

5' x 6' emergency fire blanket (1.5m x 1.8m) to smother fire or protect pilot as canopy is broken

[Aldo Cernezzi]

In our club we have a chainsaw, a crowbar lever, bolt cutter, belts cutter (car part) and some "blankets" of very strong canvas to protect the people from shards and sharp edges of broken/cut parts. This all stays permanently on the 4x4 small firefighting vehicle.

great topic!

Aldo Cernezzi

[Uli N]

Add a few pairs of heavy leather gloves and/or industrial grade cut resistant gloves to protect the hands of the rescuers. Also, a simple industrial type first aid kit containing band-aids, elastic bandages, gauze and tourniquets might be helpful.

Uli

'AS'

[David S]

We approached our local fire department for advice on emergency equipment and added an AED and two Stop the Bleed kits to our inventory.

These items will not help with extraction but might be needed for the pilot after extraction.

   ...david

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[Tom Seim]

I would add a battery-powered Sawzall. It would also be useful for untold projects around the field.

https://www.homedepot.com/b/Tools-Power-Tools-Saws-Reciprocating-Saws/N-5yc1vZc2h7

Tom 2G

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[Dave Nadler]

On Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at 12:07:50 AM UTC-4 Tom Seim wrote:

I would add a battery-powered Sawzall.

Where is Bob K. anyway?

[John DeRosa]

All - Thanks for your comments.  Very good info.

Tom - Yes, a battery powered reciprocating saw (A.K.A. "Sawzall") is on the road map.  A few comments;

- I want this saw to be dedicated to the emergency kit.  If it is used for other purposes then it won't be easily found when moments count.

- How to keep the battery charged?  I am thinking that the battery and charger would be keep inside, or attached to, the tool box with a quick release AC power cord.

- What type of blade should be used? I'd hate to hurt the pilot by using an aggressive long blade. Probably short fine toothed metal cutting.  And spares.

Other thoughts?

Thanks, John (OHM)

[Marc Brinker]

For the reciprocating saw, I'd recommend a high-quality all-purpose "demolition" blade in a fairly long length.. Probably the best option to cut through metal, wood, and composites. (I've had good results with the "Diablo" brand blades).  Realistically you need to get the pilot out, I would not be too concerned with possible injuries from the blade - those will heal. Time may be of the essence in any kind of extraction. 

And two batteries, rotated on the charger on a regular schedule, might be a good way to ensure it's ready to go. 

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[Mark Mocho]

The pilot being sawn into pieces might object to your lack of concern. A really energetic and careless time saving cut might render the speed factor moot.

[George Haeh]

A Plexiglas scriber / cutter is much simpler and safer for the pilot. Maybe add a mallet and block.

Absolutely ensure the pilot's eyes are protected.

In the fatal accident I attended, the canopy was shattered on impact. There is a YT of an upside down French DG-400? where the fire service spent considerable time extracting the pilot. I was left thinking it would have been simpler to first get the glider right side up. 

A low speed nose over is usually not injurious to the spine. Taildragger pilots tend to walk away. 

If the pilot can't move his toes, much safer to wait for the EMTs. 

[Chip Bearden]

Mike Reisman, the former operator of Chilhowee in the 1970s-80s, died when his kayak flipped over and he was trapped. Rescuers tried to free him from the kayak skirt around his waist but it was too stiff. In trying to cut him out, they accidentally severed--IIRC--his femoral artery and he bled to death quickly. Not assigning blame. I wasn't there and it was a long time ago. My understanding was that he was under water, they couldn't right the kayak, time was of the essence, and the stiff skirt was very difficult to loosen and slash. Not the same thing as a pilot in a fuselage on the ground. But the notion of someone eagerly jumping in with a Sawzall leaves me feeling queasy, given how I've seen a few overly enthusiastic guys behave with chain saws when recovering a glider from the trees.

Chip Bearden

ASW 24 "JB"

[Tom Seim]

A lithium battery would hold its charge for the season. Recharge it at the beginning of the season.

Clearly, any blade could present a hazard to a pilot, but it is like a sharp knife: dull knives are the hazard, not sharp ones.

How you store it is up to you.

Tom 2G

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[Tom Seim]

A Sawzall, or equivalent, is a last resort measure after all others have failed, and time is of the essence. I would not recommend a chainsaw.

Tom 2G

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[Uli N]

>> Clearly, any blade could present a hazard to a pilot,... <<

Not true in general. Use a diamond-coated blade. It has no teeth but will cut through steel, cast iron and fiberglass. I have used it on steel tubes cement-board and even red brick, where a regular, toothed blade melted after a short distance. 

https://www.lowes.com/pd/LENOX-Diamond-8-in-Grit-Wood-Metal-Cutting-Reciprocating-Saw-Blade/1003019144

Uli

'AS'

[Tom Seim]

Another option is a battery-powered die grinder with a metal cutting blade. 

https://www.walmart.com/ip/HT-12V-BRUSHLESS-DIE-GRINDER/5593971858?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&wmlspartner=wlpa&cn=FY25-ENTP-PMAX_cnv_dps_dsn_dis_ad_entp_e_n&gclsrc=aw.ds&adid=222222222975593971858_0000000000_21407473164&wl0=&wl1=x&wl2=c&wl3=&wl4=&wl5=9195953&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=5593971858&veh=sem&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21690411341&gbraid=0AAAAADmfBIo0gLdNfKvDzZMVT0PlUpva3&gclid=Cj0KCQjwwsrFBhD6ARIsAPnUFD3g6mlfgAmPe_tRMINiVeZ_Ar83JqHYbsShJ9N_pxfV9bfDjocQ1iMaAnLoEALw_wcB

[John DeRosa]

Tom,

Thanks for the idea about the die grinder as an option.  I had through of an angle grinder before.  

I have been primarily looking into a battery powered reciprocating (Sawzall) tool.  So following your lead I went on Walmart (already been to Amazon - too expensive).  I found the following that comes with three lithium batteries, blades, case, etc for $40.  https://www.walmart.com/orders/200013539282316.

The trick with battery powered tools is keeping them charged.  So my plan is to have the battery charger permanently mounted INSIDE the emergency tool box.  The charger's power cable/brick will be external.

- John (OHM) 

[Eric Greenwell]

What do the glider manufacturers recommend? Or the very large clubs like Lasham in England?
Eric

[John DeRosa]

Eric,

These are two good questions.

Manufacturers - You have to wonder if they have explored how to aggressively dismantle their own gliders during a rescue.

Lasham - I would think that they, if anyone, would have such an emergency kit.  Are there any "Lasham-ers" listening in that can point us in the right direction?

Question - During an accident what should be anticipated when attacking a glider made of aluminum versus fiberglass versus carbon fiber?  Is one more dangerous?  To the pilot?  To the responder?  More difficult to deal with?

- John (OHM)