Augustus thread
9 ECHO 1
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 12,467
Likes: 58
From: Missouri
A great time was had by many yesterday in Long Beach where my company let a select few thrash on some ambulances.
Events included:
45-0mph emergency stop
45-0mph emergency stop (diminishing track)
Forward/Reverse Slalom
L-Turn Backing in tight quarters
25mph evasive maneuvering
The first event was simple. Get up to 45mph, then stand on the brake.
Second was very similar, except the track narrowed to 2 inches wider than the ambulance and you must maintain control in the emergency stop and not hit the cones on either side.
After that was the slalom, no minimum speed, but you couldnt touch the brakes. Forward was fine, reverse was a bit unnerving.
L-Turn backing was to test your use of mirrors and spacial awareness
25 mph evasive maneuvering was the hardest/most fun. You would pass a line of cones to stop you from turning too quickly. Faced with a wall of cones and only seconds to react, the instructor would yell right or left and you must quickly jerk that direction to avoid the cones and maintain control.
And no... the sides are not actually that blank
Events included:
45-0mph emergency stop
45-0mph emergency stop (diminishing track)
Forward/Reverse Slalom
L-Turn Backing in tight quarters
25mph evasive maneuvering
The first event was simple. Get up to 45mph, then stand on the brake.
Second was very similar, except the track narrowed to 2 inches wider than the ambulance and you must maintain control in the emergency stop and not hit the cones on either side.
After that was the slalom, no minimum speed, but you couldnt touch the brakes. Forward was fine, reverse was a bit unnerving.
L-Turn backing was to test your use of mirrors and spacial awareness
25 mph evasive maneuvering was the hardest/most fun. You would pass a line of cones to stop you from turning too quickly. Faced with a wall of cones and only seconds to react, the instructor would yell right or left and you must quickly jerk that direction to avoid the cones and maintain control.
And no... the sides are not actually that blank
9 ECHO 1
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 12,467
Likes: 58
From: Missouri
It was fun, and even having experience with large vehicles I learned a thing or two. The ambulances start at 9000lbs from the upfitter, then we load them down with equipment and people, so they get heavy.
I was responding Code 3 from Lakewood to Downtown in a LARGE ambulance the other day. It weighs in around 15k lbs and coming up to red lights the rig didnt want to stop. But we also had 1 Paramedic, 2 EMTs and a 400+lb patient in the back. This training allowed me the opportunity to test the limits of the ambulances withOUT a patient in the back so I am ready if I ever do have to do something like that with a patient.
That is correct. We got a heck of a deal on the cost to use the parking lot from them. Most places wanted $5000/day.
9 ECHO 1
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 12,467
Likes: 58
From: Missouri
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Thread Starter
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FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 30,595
Likes: 1,236
From: N. IL
Only the patients enjoy the Chebby.
I took a course similar to that by driving dynamics. Best thing I learned was to look ahead. Simple, but most drivers don't realize how much accident avoidance time that saves. http://www.drivingdynamics.com/behin...l-training.php
I took a course similar to that by driving dynamics. Best thing I learned was to look ahead. Simple, but most drivers don't realize how much accident avoidance time that saves. http://www.drivingdynamics.com/behin...l-training.php
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FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 30,595
Likes: 1,236
From: N. IL
From e-trailer:
Did you know that 99 years ago today, the automobile snow tire chain was patented? Harold D. Weed of Canastota, New York, was issued U.S. Patent No. 768,495 for his "Grip-Tread for Pneumatic Tires." Imagine putting tire chains on a 1904 Ford Model B!
Did you know that 99 years ago today, the automobile snow tire chain was patented? Harold D. Weed of Canastota, New York, was issued U.S. Patent No. 768,495 for his "Grip-Tread for Pneumatic Tires." Imagine putting tire chains on a 1904 Ford Model B!
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FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 30,595
Likes: 1,236
From: N. IL
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,400
Likes: 319
From: Whittier, CA
Looks like a nice trip, Bob, less one deer collision. Thanks for the interesting pics. Have you got an estimate on the repair yet? Just curious.
Pop, good luck with the spindle repair. I know you've done your homework on the job, so I am surprised that replacement parts were cost prohibitive. I don't know what that alloy might be, but it can be welded, of that I am sure.
We just got back last evening from a week in Bridgeport. Had a nice relaxing time. Only fished a little, and it wasn't very good. Managed one meals worth for the week. Tried all week to get out to Bodie, but a fire had the road closed every day until the day we left. Seen it plenty, so no big loss there. Could see smoke from the fire all the way over to the west side of Yosemite, which is a long long way off. Only saw the smoke on Thursday, so I guess the wind was just right. All internet and cell service was out throughtout Bridgeport valley on Thursday. The ol' truck turned over 100k on the trip. About the only excitement was taking the dog swimming every day. Read a handful of books, and did a bunch of crosswork puzzles. Ho hum. Better than working.
Pop, good luck with the spindle repair. I know you've done your homework on the job, so I am surprised that replacement parts were cost prohibitive. I don't know what that alloy might be, but it can be welded, of that I am sure.
We just got back last evening from a week in Bridgeport. Had a nice relaxing time. Only fished a little, and it wasn't very good. Managed one meals worth for the week. Tried all week to get out to Bodie, but a fire had the road closed every day until the day we left. Seen it plenty, so no big loss there. Could see smoke from the fire all the way over to the west side of Yosemite, which is a long long way off. Only saw the smoke on Thursday, so I guess the wind was just right. All internet and cell service was out throughtout Bridgeport valley on Thursday. The ol' truck turned over 100k on the trip. About the only excitement was taking the dog swimming every day. Read a handful of books, and did a bunch of crosswork puzzles. Ho hum. Better than working.
