The rescue card is a standardized information sheet that provides emergency services with important details about a vehicle in the event of an accident. Among other things, it contains information on the position of airbags, battery, tank, body reinforcements and pyrotechnic components. In a modern vehicle fleet , the rescue card is an important element of safety precautions.
What is the purpose of a rescue card?
Every second counts after an accident. Fire and rescue services need precise information about the vehicle structure in order to be able to rescue injured people quickly and safely. Without this information, rescue can be delayed or there is a higher risk for rescuers and occupants, for example due to deployed airbags or damaged high-voltage batteries in electric vehicles.
What does the rescue card say?
The structure varies slightly depending on the manufacturer, but the card generally contains the following information:
- Position of the airbags, belt tensioners and sensors
- Position of batteries, tanks and control units
- Notes on high-voltage systems for electric or hybrid vehicles
- Reinforced body areas (e.g. pillars, sills)
- Disconnection points for hydraulic rescue equipment
Integration into the vehicle fleet
As part of fleet management , an up-to-date rescue card should be stored for each vehicle and kept in the vehicle – preferably behind the driver’s sun visor. Some fleet administrations digitize the rescue cards and make them available via central platforms or apps, especially for larger fleets.
Advantages for the fleet
- Increased safety for vehicle occupants and emergency services
- Faster recovery in an emergency
- Compliance with legal and organizational security requirements
- Signal for responsible fleet management
Conclusion
The rescue card is a small document with a big impact. It significantly improves safety in the vehicle fleet and should be present in every commercially used vehicle – regardless of the drive system. Especially for modern vehicles with alternative drive systems, it is indispensable for quick and safe rescue in an emergency.