The ‘jaws of life’ is an hydraulic-extrication rescue tool which is used by emergency personnel in emergency situations, especially in car crashes. It is used to extract severely injured patients from a damaged vehicle after a serious collision. The one in Vryheid needs a new lease on life though, as the motor has to be replaced. Operations manager Frikkie Bekker from KwaZulu Private Ambulance Services is fully trained when it comes to operating the ‘jaws of life’. Last year October, Bekker and his crew were fortunate enough to receive this rescue tool from an estate. The anonymous donor, who worked for the manufacturer of the tool Amkus, donated the ‘jaws of life’ to the community of Vryheid, where it is to be used and operated by Bekker and his crew only. Unfortunately, it is an older model and is evidently exactly the same rescue tool on which Bekker was trained in 2012. Bekker and his crew have used this set of ‘jaws of life’ approximately six times during emergencies since October to save lives in the Vryheid area. The machine needs a little ‘tender loving care’ though, since the motor needs to be replaced before it can be fully operational again. KwaZulu Private Ambulance Services will contribute partially to the repair work, but the replacement of the motor amounts to approximately R6000 in total. Anyone willing to contribute to the repair work can visit Kragslag to make a monetary contribution, or alternatively contact Frikkie Bekker on 082-804-5691.
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