Jaws of Life tools are well known for their role in extricating victims of vehicle crashes, but many people don’t know their full history.
The first Jaws of Life was invented more than 60 years ago by George Hurst, a giant of the automotive and racing worlds. Hurst – the cofounder of Hurst Performance who revolutionized the auto industry with his shifters – saw that manual methods of rescuing crash victims were slow and ineffective. In 1961, after witnessing rescue crews take over an hour to extricate stock car drivers from crashed cars, he developed hydraulic rescue tools that ultimately became the famous Jaws of Life.
Today Jaws of Life tools are widely used not only by fire department rescue teams at vehicle accidents but by search and rescue teams, military units and disaster response organizations in collapse rescue and similar scenarios.
What is the Jaws of Life tool?
The first hydraulic rescue tool developed by Hurst and known as the Jaws of Life was a spreader used to pry apart wrecked vehicles to rescue those trapped inside. Prior to this, rescuers had to use crowbars, hammers and saws. This method had several drawbacks:
- Traditional saws can create sparks, increasing the chances for fire and explosion.
- They take a long time to create a safe opening to extricate a victim, increasing injury probability.
- They’re extremely loud and may cause stress and aggravate victims’ injuries.
Hurst’s spreader (and other, related tools that quickly followed) drew praise for enabling the quick extrication of accident victims who were snatched from the “jaws of death.” This led to the nickname “Jaws of Life,” which Hurst trademarked. While Hurst tools are the only hydraulic tools officially named Jaws of Life, the term is colloquially used to describe many brands of hydraulic rescue tools.
Jaws of Life tools and other hydraulic rescue tools are standard for fire departments and emergency response teams, especially in urban areas, where they are often carried on specialized rescue vehicles. Due to the typical Jaws of Life price, smaller and rural departments may not have full sets due to cost.
Traditional hydraulic Jaws of Life tools required external pumps and hoses. Newer versions may be battery-powered.
Who invented the Jaws of Life tool?
George Hurst was an American inventor, entrepreneur and automotive engineer. He was a major figure in the automotive industry, particularly in the development of high-performance shifters and aftermarket car parts.
In the 1950s Hurst founded Hurst Performance, which specialized in aftermarket performance parts, including high-performance muscle car shifters. The company became a major player in the muscle car era, producing parts for companies like Oldsmobile, Pontiac and AMC.
A vigorous promoter, Hurst partnered with racetrack beauty queen Linda Vaughn, known as the First Lady of Motorsports, as the Hurst Golden Shifter Girl in the 1960s. Vaughn was the company’s official spokesperson and promotional model, appearing at car shows, races and promotional events. She became one of the most recognizable figures in motorsports history.
How does the Jaws of Life tool work?
The Jaws of Life tool uses a piston system, not dissimilar from a car engine. A gasoline or electrical power source pushes hydraulic fluid into the first piston, which then drives down the second piston and applies immense pressure into the tool quickly. Instead of an hour or more extricating a victim, the Jaws of Life can remove a car roof in roughly two minutes.
Most hydraulic equipment uses some sort of incompressible fluid, or fluid at its maximum density, to help create optimal force. Oil can be used in many types of hydraulic equipment, but because oil is extremely flammable, Jaws of Life tools typically use phosphate ester fluid, which is both nonflammable and does not conduct electricity.
Newer models of Jaws of Life tools may be powered by batteries.
What are the four types of Jaws of Life tools?
There are four main types of Jaws of Life tools: spreaders, cutters, rams and combination tools. Each serves a vital function in the extrication process.
Spreaders – Hydraulic spreaders are primarily used for compressed car frames and other damaged and collapsing structures. Like a pair of reversed scissors, spreaders start in a closed position and apply outward force, moving apart steel and fiberglass frames with ease, giving victims the space to be removed from a hazard.
Cutters – A more efficient version of the old-school circular saws and the opposite of spreaders, cutters operate like scissors on steroids. Using immense hydraulic pressure, they cut through metals to remove damaged and dangerous obstructions, allowing openings for firefighters to extricate victims.
Rams – While creating openings are important, there are times when firefighters need to dislodge parts of wreckage, like a steering column or a dashboard. That’s where rams come in. These are sturdy metal alloy rods pressed forward to punch or ram apart sections of an accident that may be pinning a victim down and preventing their extrication.
Combination tools – Instead of carrying multiple tools around, combination tools allow firefighters to use one device to both cut and spread damaged areas and extricate victims. A combination tool can shave precious seconds off a rescue, lessening the chance of harm or stress to a victim.
What is the Jaws of Life price?
Jaws of Life prices vary depending on the tool type, brand and power source (hydraulics vs. battery). Traditional hydraulic Jaws of Life tools may run between $5,000–$30,000 each. Battery-powered Jaws are cheaper (from $4,000–$20,000 per tool) and more portable.
Broadly, cutters may range from $5,000–$15,000; spreaders from $6,000–$12,000; rams from $4,000–$10,000; and combination tools from $7,000–$18,000. Full sets may run $30,000–$60,000. Used or refurbished tools can be cheaper. Top brands include not only Hurst Jaws of Life but Holmatro, Genesis and Amkus.
Understanding the Jaws of Life price and comparing features is critical for departments making procurement decisions under tight budgets.
What PPE should be worn when using Jaws of Life tools?
Unlike standard fire gear, when performing an extrication, firefighters need PPE. The goal of extrication suits is to allow firefighters optimal mobility and flexibility to react as situations change. However, they also have to keep safety top of mind. Good extrication suits have:
- Lightweight material to increase flexibility.
- Reflective areas to alert oncoming traffic and keep firefighters safe
- Fire resistance in case situations become perilous
- Reinforced elbows and knees to increase padding when having to crawl and maneuver around accident scenes to extricate victims.
Firefighters also need solid extrication gloves. Ideally, these are cut-resistant to protect firefighters from protruding glass and metal but also provide enough tactile feedback to allow them to recognize what they are touching when vision is impaired from low light, obstructions, smoke or rain.
Jaws of Life tools are an important asset in every fire department’s arsenal. Using hydraulic technology, they can quickly, efficiently and safely extricate victims trapped in wrecked vehicles. Coming a long way from the days of power tools being used on race car tracks, Jaws of Life tools have saved countless lives as they help snatch victims from the “jaws of death.”
This article, originally published on August 23, 2024, has been updated with additional information.