Got Cribbing?

[Kelly Tool]

Our dept recently did a drill on car stabilization. I was told that we should have a lot of the same thing, instead of a mix of odds and ends. It was sugessted to me to have a lot of 4x4's for box cribs, wedges, and then some long 4x4s (6 of 6' and 6 of 4') and maybe some step blocks. What do you feel is a good assortment of cribbing?

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Put the wet stuff on the red stuff!
Visit our Dept. Schodack Valley

[Capt. Skippy]

Far and away, have lots and lots of 4x4s. Then go get some more! A general list:

* 100 4x4s three feet long (Ever tried to lift an inverted semi on top of the driver?).
* at least a dozen wedges (more is better).
* 6 to 12 4x4s six to eight feet long (Great for vehicles on their sides with something like a capabear (SP?) claw set).
* 4 step blocks minimum, 8 is better (remember you could be doing two or even three extrications at once from a bad MVA!)
* 6 or more webbing straps (3 inch wide) 10 to 20 foot long.

I know this sounds like a lot, and I must admit we don't even have all of this, but we are working on it. Local lumber yards are a good place to get donations! Carry the cribbing where ever you can - on Engines, the Rescue truck and the Ladder (if you have one).

Hope this was helpful!

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Remember - Safety is a way of Life!

[NCRSQ751]

A good assortment is important, don't forget the little 2x4's and the larger 8x8's. Also don't rule out the high lift jacks, bottle jacks and other simple items that aid in stabilization without taking up as much room and have multiple purposes.

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Susan Bednar
Captain - Forsyth Rescue
North Carolina Strike Force 1

[RSQLT43]

We have went away from 4x4s, and now we use 3x4s, and 4x6s about 60 of each, we also carry 4feet and 6 feet 4x6s, we carry 2x4s,2x6s, and 2x8s at 24 inches long, we have 12- 12inch wedges, we carry 6- 14 inch microlams at 3 to 4 feet in length, and 4 sets of step chocks.

Except for the long 4x6s and micros, all cribbing is painted yellow with sand added to the paint, all the cribbing is yellow pine, we painted it company colors to help keep track of it, and to keep the wood from absorbing gas and oil.

We went away from pressure treated wood to save weight, yellow pine untreated boards will hold the same weight as treated, so that is not a factor.

We also carry four Hi-Lift jacks that we can use for stabilization, as well as Cepco Tools Heavy Duty Rescue Jack, this is one of the best tools that we have ever bought, before we bought this we had no way of stabilizing a car on its side, now we can stabilize most anything in a matter of minutes.

[M G]

We carry quite a lot of cribbing. The rescue truck carries the following:

Compartment 4 (officer side)



(56) 4x4 24" / (20) 2x4 24" / (18) 4x6 shims (wedges) / (8) Step chocks

Compartment 5 (driver side)



(25) 6x6 24" / (24) 4x4 shims (wedges)

Compartment 12 (officer side rear)



(4) 4x4 4 foot buttress cribbing / (4) 4x4 6 foot buttress cribbing / (4) Z-Mag bases

Tech Rescue Support Truck carries: (estimations accurate within 5 pieces, no pictures avail....sorry)

(20) 6x6 24" / (40) 4x4 24" / 1 milk crate of 4x4 and 2 crates of 6x6 wedges. This truck also carries all of the lumber for shoring and trench collapse.

There are 4 ambulances in the station as well, each carries (4) step chocks / (8) 4x4 24" and (8) 4x4 wedges

The station storage shed contains extra milk crates of every side cribbing plus a lumber rack with many sizes and lengths of wood.

I have to say that it is very nice and comes in handy to carry lots of wood. The most important thing I can say is to make sure you standardize lengths, color code and add web handles. We also ran every piece through a router table to round the edges, it keeps you from getting splinters and makes the wood less prone to splintering.

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The information presented herin is simply my opinion and does not represent the opinion or view of my employer(s) or any department/agency to which I belong.

[This message has been edited by M G (edited June 30, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by M G (edited July 06, 2000).]

[Carl Avery]

I saw a post here about the Cepco Res-Q-Jack, While I do like the tool and capabilities, there are other and each has it positive features. Others Like Zmag Ground pad, Capa bearClaws, the crutch and others. This seems to be a segment of our rescue tool area that is expanding by Leaps and bounds. Look around and see what is available before you drop your bucks. Also when ever you can pick these guys brains (guys Like Mike Schmidt and Cris Pasto)the are anxious to market there tools and have lotsa good ideas on how to use there product and save on cribbing

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Carl D. Avery

[Rich Behling]

By the souds of the postings here most everybody is running a dedicated resce unit. We are not as fortunate, we run a combination rescue/pumper. I agree with the more the better idea but space is limited. We carrry a wide assortment of stabilzation tools,air bags w/ straps, hilift jacks, we have made our telesopic stabilizers that have worked wonderfully and give us a lot of flexibility without having to carry 6 and 8 foot 4x4's, come longs w/chins. We also carry an assortment of wood cribbing including 4 step chocks, 8 6x6, 20 4x4, 40 2x4 and about 20 wedges. If I could I would like to add extra wedges you almost always need more than you have. Our ladder/rescue also carrys cribbing,but not as much, they never have enough room either.
hope this helps
stay safe
Lt. Rich B.

[Zmag]

There is a slight misinformation going around that a lumber yard is needed to go along with my Ground Pads or some of the simular devises that have come out since. This is fairly simple, folow the math with me: You need 3-8 foot 4x4's, cut one of those in half, cut the remaining two at the 3 foot mark. What you now have is a pair of 3 footers, a pair of 4 footers, and a pair of 5 footers. Not all that space comsuming when you compare that to the huge pile you would need to build a box crib that high (which would be very unstable anyway). Add a simple set of my 4x4 couplings and you can make one long piece out of 2 short ones, so you still have your 8 foot reach if needed. I have just made a simple little storage rack for my own rescue truck for these pieces, after I get it installed I'll snap a photo of it.
Zmag

[M G]

Z-mag (Mike) True on your information, however I'd still say that its beneficial to carry the extra wood. There are situations where you need the strength and properties of a box crib that yours and similar devices cannot fill in. We are a believer of Z-mag for certain uses..you can see 'em there in the truck. Just some food for thought.

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The information presented herin is simply my opinion and does not represent the opinion or view of my employer(s) or any department/agency to which I belong.

[Carl Avery]

Did I see a reference to use of Airbags for stabilization? This sends a shudder threw my Back! I hope while Airbags mold and provide a LARGE Foot Print. they are not a stabilization tool! I can see them used in conjunction with some form of SOLID Cribbing. Were is there support in Air?

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Carl D. Avery

[Engine 224]

Of all the posts only one mentioned non- symmetrical cribbing, i.e. 4x6. There is a lot more flexibility in making a snug fit when you have two height choices with one piece of cribbing. 4x6 cribs are much stronger than 4x4 and give you a full range of heights in 2 inch increments vice 4 inch increments. (think about it - 4", 6", 8" ..... and so on). I don't see much use for 4x4s and 6x6s when I have plenty of 4x6s.

Something to ponder anyway!