Keeping in mind that hybrid vehicles have 4 tires and a steering wheel just like all the other vehicles on the road today, the major difference is its propulsion system. Take a conventional vehicle, add a traction motor and high voltage battery, and you basically have a hybrid. This is over simplified to be sure, but makes the point that extrication procedures will differ little between hybrid and conventional vehicles in most cases. Consider the diagram below. Note the position of the high voltage battery, orange high voltage wires and inverter/traction motor. Can you remove the roof of this vehicle for patient access without encountering the high voltage system?
December 6, 2010
