Hurst® Jaws of Life rescue systems have been instrumental in saving thousands of lives throughout their 30 year history. From race track beginnings in 1972 to the rescue heroes of today, Jaws of Life systems travel with more than 35,000 rescue squads, fire and police departments throughout the world.
Originally manufactured by Hurst Performance Inc, in Warminster, PA, the tool was developed for use in the race car industry. Hurst Performance also manufactured the famous Hurst Shifter which was used extensively in race cars. The original tool was a two-part system consisting of a 32-inch hydraulic spreader powered by a two cycle gasoline power unit. When activated, the scissor-like spreaders opened and forced crushed metal away from trapped victims. Because the tool reduced the time to extricate a victim from a car crash, literally snatching them from the “jaws of death”, the tool earned the name Jaws of Life. Today, Jaws of Life is a registered trademark of Hale Products Inc.
During the past 30 years the Jaws of Life product line has grown significantly. New spreaders, cutters, rams, and very lightweight tools have been added to the world-renowned line. In 2005, Vetter pneumatic products was acquired to add high and low pressure airbags and many hazmat products. In 2006 Airshore International was acquired and brings to the Jaws of Life family of products quality shoring products. Continuous development of the product line continues in both the pneumatic and hydraulic areas as the Company strives to provide the finest, most reliable rescue products to its customers.
An Aberdeen police officer and his passenger who were injured in a Sunday morning accident remain in fair condition, said a nurse at Avera St. Luke's Hospital.
A police-involved crash in Fort Lauderdale Tuesday morning left one person trapped inside an SUV as firefighters struggled to extricate him out from the vehicle.
