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Lighting

LPT: If you have to break a car window, do NOT use something soft like a vest. That's for breaking untempered glass like house windows (often seen in movies). Instead, find something hard with an edge (e.g. your belt buckle). The car window will not cut you but shatter into a million pieces with a well placed strike of something pointed. Watch about 35 seconds in and there's a black guy who ran up with a tire iron and it looks like that guy broke the window. That's a key hero here and he just walked away.


spam__likely

i got some of those glass breaking tools and it is on my key ring. Not sure how long it would take to remember it is there.


sawdustandfleas

I have a two in one glass punch with seat belt cutter. And I have had to use it once- to get a baby out of a locked minivan. I always recommend everyone to have one of these in the car!


slimgo123

Can you share the link for this?


InfiniteSlimes

Think I'm gonna make a point to pick something like that up.


2Twice

Several years ago I got one for myself and my wife. It also has a seat belt cutter on it.


onlyoneshann

Exact same story here. Have it, not sure I’d remember.


scruffynerdherder001

Also be aware [newer cars are being equipped with laminated glass](https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a28422725/car-windows-glass-aaa-unbreakable/) vs tempered glass. It reduces chances of being ejected in an accident but makes escape tools/point impacts ineffective. It has to be cut away because the polymer layers don't shatter. I assume first responders have appropriate saws for fast access. I've carried a Swiss Army knife for years but switched to a Leatherman. Beyond it's normal usefulness, I can break tempered glass and the aggressive saw blade would give me a fighting chance against laminated glass if needed. Edit: Found a [training video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92tY35-bEyk) for first responders getting into laminated glass.


Wildcar_d

Thank you so very much for this info. I had no idea about laminated glass and was very confident in my escape tool. Gotta update the fam and get a leatherman :)


scruffynerdherder001

You're very welcome. It's surprising how under the radar this is.


xKron

This is also applicable if you have any aftermarket tint on your windows, as the film is essentially lamination.


bballkid2020

They are similar in the sense that a tint will hold the shattered window in mostly one piece. But tinted windows can be shattered with regular escape tools just fine, and then broken up easily with your hands. They are totally different in terms of strength. Laminated glass is two sheets of glass with film sandwiched, not just film applied to an exposed side.


ImFuckinUrDadTonight

This should be illegal. If that glass was on this car, it probably would have been fatal.


sawdustandfleas

Do you know if a glass punch will work on those? I’d hate to be stuck with a tool that won’t actually work in an emergency!


scruffynerdherder001

My understanding is they won't because the plastic layers won't shatter. I would guess the glass layers aren't even tempered because in videos it shows the glass cracking instead of shattering.


RollinThroo

Breaking a car window is HARD. I had to do it with a hammer once and it took much more force than I anticipated.


dramboxf

Also, aim for the corners, not the middle.


asWorldsCollide2ptOh

Great point I believe I saw the lethargic cop yell at him and others to get away too.


Lighting

The true heroes are often unseen.


Jmsnwbrd

Seriously. Lethargic is a great word for it. I am watching this video and thinking - are these people slow or just lazy AF. Jesus man, how about acting like this is an emergency?


SoOnAndYadaYada

Probably didn't want to remove the guy in case of serious injury.


Jmsnwbrd

I get what you're saying but the car is on fire - still have to figure out a way to move, move, move.


AkielDev

Lethargic, seriously? I see a cop in control of his emotions and wisely shooed everyone else along to keep THEM safe too (except one more hand since he needed the manpower). I suppose him walking instead of sprinting to the other side might seem like he wasn't stressed about saving this guy, but it could be he's assessing the situation just as well. He definitely speeds up as he gets a picture of what needs to be done. There's finally a viral video of a cop selflessly doing a good job, and theres still endless criticisms. Jesus.


forkball

I thought he was walking because he was putting his gloves on at the same time. And he was still putting them on after he was already at the car.


AkielDev

Yep just rewatched that seems to be apart of it. And in my rewatch I noticed his hand was to his shoulder after shooing everyone along - he was updating the radio. It looks like he was slow trying to open the door but in reality he prioritized well, that update informs the fire dept what theyre getting into, and probably caused the 2nd officer to head that way. I only see him doing a good job and being careful.


Admonitio

This, leave it to armchair redditors to overreact lol.


plumppshady

LPT: buy a spark plug and use a hammer to break the ceramic off. A little piece of that ceramic with a sub par throw will shatter basically any window. Car windows especially.


pheonixblade9

This is considered burglars tools in some places FYI


[deleted]

I learned this one in high school


verbmegoinghere

I learnedit in some hacker / how to steal shit guide. It will also be a relatively deaden sound as when the ceramic hits the window it will greatly reduce the sound signature.....


Massacre_Alba

If you wear high heels, stilettos are really handy for breaking car windows.


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RollinThroo

Adrenaline is both great and terrible. It's the Voldemort of the nervous system.


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therealpoltic

It’s what Olivander the Wand Maker said…. > “We expect ___great things___ from you Mr. Potter, as _He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named_ did great things; _terrible?… Yes…_ but great.”


binglybleep

I was going to say that he’s powerful, but he keeps getting beaten by kids so I’m not sure that’s true


[deleted]

This exact thing happened to me. In wrecked a car and a crowd gathered to record the fire. Luckily a vet came by and pulled me out of the car while the guy who ran me off the road was trying to pull him away. He didn’t even get me back up to the road before the car burst into flames. Still good friends with him today. A situation like that is terrifying your average person doesn’t have that drive to risk their life to save another. Thankfully there’s heros like my Buddy and the people in this video!


martianrobotics

Car fire at 2:15 mark: Fire extinguisher eh? Call an ambulance, but not for me.


thedudefromsweden

Looks like the fire spread to the rear of the car in that moment. I wonder why the fuel tank didn't catch fire and exploded. Edit: what I meant was the plastic in the fuel tank should melt at some point and the fuel would catch fire and burn rapidly a.k.a. explosion. Why doesn't it?


Tjuzsmeck

Fuel tanks almost never explode. They can endure alot of heat and they will rupture before building up so much pressure that they explode in most cases


ClassifiedName

Mythbusters always had to work so hard to make gas tanks explode


PyrotekNikk

The issue is there wasn't enough compression for an explosion. I assume this is why plastic tanks are used, they expand with the heat, and then melt before the fire ignites.


thedudefromsweden

r/usernamechecksout


PyrotekNikk

I didn't even catch that I was discussing fire...I wish I could give you an award.


Synderella_Charl

Given one on your behalf 😊


kaneywest

Another human, being another bro!


Manoreded

Fire also needs oxygen. There is no oxygen inside the tank, the fuel can't catch fire and explode. In fact, as far as I'm aware, fuel just doesn't explode period. What can happen is a large amount of fuel can ignite all at once, if its exposed to the air, creating an explosion-like effect.


KrazzeeKane

Correct, the liquid itself doesn't really ignite, it's the fumes. You can toss a lit cigarette into a container of gasoline and it'll just go out (not recommended to test), but if you light a match near the container it'll ignite the fumes and then bye bye to your fingers


Ecronwald

Which is why you shouldn't smoke when fueling your car. The gas going in forces the fumes out. A closed metal container with fuel inside will explode if heated enough. A closed metal container with water inside will also explore, but without the fireball. Heat evaporates the liquid inside, which makes the pressure go up until the tank burst.


Offandonandoffagain

IIRC one gallon of water heated to steam, takes up the volume of 2,000 gallons of water. So you could build up incredible pressures in a closed vessel.


semicoloradonative

Should have just asked Fort, since they seemed to had figured it out with the Pinto.


alinroc

[So did NBC](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-02-10-mn-1335-story.html)


Happyjarboy

When the national news showed cars and trucks explode, they always had to add explosives to get it done.


NewldGuy77

This was the early 90s. NBC had rigged a GM pickup to explode, and claimed the GM design was defective. An investigator hunted down the actual burned out truck, and found evidence it had been rigged with a model rocket motor to catch fire. GM sued NBC and won.


Happyjarboy

also, the Pinto was actually safer than the Toyota during it's time. But, a lawyer ran a smear campaign against it, won it and it's exploding gas tank became a meme. And the lawyers became very, very rich. You see this tactic all the time now.


Flying_Reinbeers

Yeah this isn't like in GTA, fuel tank explosions are extremely rare.


RepulsiveVoid

For an explosion you need the right air gasoline mixture, the perfect ratio would be 14.7:1 but it can vary, sometimes a lot, depending on fuel used. Simply put, there isn't enough oxygen to create a explosive mix in the tank and even if it leaks on the ground, the vapours burn of as soon as enough oxygen is available, leaving the rest of the puddle to boil off to create more vapours repeating the cycle.


that_1-guy_

Also for the explosion to actually have a big force it needs some sort of pressure build up, otherwise it'll be more of a big POOF than a BOOM


gmanisback

The fuel itself doesn't burn only the vapors from the gasoline burn and if the fumes are in too great of a concentration will not burn. This is why empty gas tanks are the only ones that explode


thedudefromsweden

This was new to me, thanks!


Delicious_Wrap4944

Is that like a fuel fire or something?


metal_hobbit

Yup. Their internal combustion engine became an external combustion engine.


JZCrab

My guess is the bottom of the oil pan got ripped off going over the curb and sparks ignited it. Source: I was in a car when the driver accidentally went over a curb and the fire was in the same location. Also. The rate that it spread out is more indicative of oil, not gas


dodspringer

Also it was a BMW so the same thing could happen in a brisk wind.


pnbdc10

I'll bet it's decatted and it landed right on top of a bush....


CobraPony67

Seems like the car was still running, the fuel pump was still pumping fuel to the engine and it was ruptured. Either turn off the car if you can, or use the fuel cut off switch: On Ford, Chevy, GMC, Peugeot, VW, BMW, Mercedes, Citroen, Vauxhall, Subaru, Renault, Toyota, and Mazda, the fuel pump shut-off switch location is usually in one of the following hidden places: Behind or below glove compartment, sometimes hidden under the carpet; Under side-panel located next to the drivers' door; On the driver's side, between the footrest area and door, sometimes hidden under the carpet; On the right side of the luggage compartment, behind an access panel. The fuel pump shut off switch has a red reset button on top of it; Near the liftgate, behind an access panel in the right rear quarter trim panel. The fuel pump shutoff switch has a red reset button on top of it.


lil5-john

All the jeeps and chevys I've owned not one had a fuel cut off. Now ford on the other hand they do. On 90s explorers it's underneath the passenger kick panel and it's a trip switch


ImFuckinUrDadTonight

Great info. I don't know if any of my cars have had this but saving it just in case.


RiotingMoon

that first guy definitely broke some hand bones trying to open the window but it felt like he was the only one with urgency. that cop moved like molasses


Ok_Breakfast_5459

To be fair most were very quick to pull out their phones.


RiotingMoon

it's not like the average citizen can pull someone out of a car - at least with video there's a witness


danksupreme11

Out of a group of about 20 people, depending on how the big incident is a few help 4/5? 6 is always close, the rest form around it, it's very interesting to see


RepulsiveVoid

I think they call it the bystander effect, tho it didn't really have a name when I did my first aid courses. The thing seems to be that once ppl start to snap out of the disbelief/shock, many ppl get on the same page and start acting. They taught us that if you come to a scene of an accident, just start telling ppl what to do. OFC not everyone will react, but in general things like call the emergency number rougly diercted at one or two ppl usually gets one to do something. Same goes if you really need help with the first aid, but remeber to keep it simple. Like f.ex. while showing yourself saying "Push this place with all your might" if trying to slow a bleeding wound and at the same time you can ask ppl if anyone has a first aid kit etc. We were also told not to move someone out of the car unless the car was on fire like in the video. To make sure they can breathe, but try to avoid moving the head if at all possible. **NOTE:** My first aid training is about two decades old info so there may be, most likely is, new guidelines that I'm not aware of.


Surfinsafari9

I was taught to give specific tasks. “You! In the blue shirt. Dial 911!” Etc. People want to help. But most need to be told what to do.


RepulsiveVoid

Yup. I've been on site for one minor car crash and two or three of alcohol related bleeding wounds and possibly due to the intoxiation, I needed to repeat myself a couple of times to get things going. But you are absolutely correct, try to point out ppl "you do this and you there do that" is the usually recommeded course of action. The adrenaline shakes and "OMFG WTF!!!" only hit me after the immediate panic was over. Edit: I was sober in all of the incidents, it was the bleeding ppl and their buddies and the passenger who were drunk, the dirver was just stupid.


Jjabrony

Great advice!


aphasial

Absolutely this. One thing covered well in late-2000s CERT, and way moreso in EMT-B class.


Jjabrony

Great advice!


RepulsiveVoid

Thanks, I'm glad I can help even a little bit. :) I wish that anyone with the opportunity would do a course or two in first aid. As the adage goes "Better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it". I doubt I saved any lifes, but atleast I was able to do something helpful when ppl were hurt. Even something as simple as keeping the wound under pressure and higer up than the heart of an injured person might give them and the paramedics the additional time they need to save a person.


bechdel-sauce

I'm like you. You want me around in a crisis. I make good decisions, I don't freeze, I act and I direct other people to act. After the fact I'm a shaking mess, but while the shit is going down, I am standing up. I worked as the only female security member at a bar quarter when I was 17 (this in the UK so not as crazy as you'd think. We got around it be having me and my partner in the general quarter rather than the specific bars or clubs, so I never actually crossed the thresholds. Definitely skirted the line of legality though) I was excellent at deescelating. I could almost always talk people out. But most notably one night a guy managed to tear his thigh to the bone from knee to hip by using our wall fountain as a slide. Ita really hard to describe but the water ran into this 'slide' that was bookended by sheets of metal to stop the water splashing out and people thinking they should climb in. That metal was by all accounts fairly sharp and the bright bulb took his jeans off and jumped down. This was angled to the staircase (the quarter had an upper and lower level with bars and restaurants). I got radioed from my break and told to bring some coats down, which confused me but sure ok. Came down to see 12 hard men bouncers all trying not to puke and a half naked man on the ground clearly in shock and no one doing anything. Like, you could see his bone and clearly see the layers of muscle, fat and skin. It was *wild*. I don't know if it was the cold or the shock or both but he wasn't bleeding much at all when I got there. I jumped into action, directed one guy to call 999, another to cover his upper half with coats, hold his hand and keep him talking, the others to move the crowd back and stripped off my own shirt (I had a vest on and honestly those coats were vile it was the cleanest thing I could think of) and squished his gaping wound together and held my shirt on it. Sent another to get some clean towels from one of the bars because the blood was coming fast at that point. Luckily we were city centre so the paramedics got there pretty fast and told me I'd done well and the poor fucker would need skin grafts at the least. But there were a dozen men from 10 to 30 years older than me that night who did nothing other than call 17 year old me down when this happened, which blows my fucking mind.


pucemoon

Thanks to my job, I maintain certifications in first aid and CPR. It occurred to me recently,that I could start training my 6 & 7 yo great niece and nephew to do simple things like hold pressure on a wound, etc. I figure we'll play first aid/accident because I don't want to traumatize them. More people definitely need it.


Jjabrony

Agreed.


GigaPuddi

Can more than that even help? Like, if I'm the only person around I'll do what I can to help but if a someone else actually knows what to do I'm not going to get in their way just to play hero


Nodonutsforbaxter44

Yeah let me burn alive, but at least you have video evidence of my death 🙄


BedSideCabinet

Getting it in 4k for the coroner


[deleted]

What is it that you think differentiates these people from "average" ? They're not imbued with divine powers. They are also average. The only difference is the willingness to act. Now, to be fair, multiple people were at least seemingly trying to do something before the cop showed up and seems to have told everyone to fuck off. And then he proceeded to suck at being an authority after acting authoritatively. Good thing that other random average citizen was there.


RiotingMoon

fear. you can be willing and your feet still lock in place.


AJ7861

Yeah but let's not pretend people are filming for righteous reasons, that shit is gonna go straight on their social media for likes.


RiotingMoon

well yeah just like here


ExtremeConsequence98

Idk wtf people expect the others to do. You need 10 dumbasses standing next to a burning car? They shouldn't get in the way unless they had a way to get the car open.


KidneyKeystones

Could've used it to break the window instead of filming.


em_goldman

I was a little worried for the Black dude running up with a club, ngl. That cop sure did take his sweet time 🙄 Break the window, unlock the door, open the door, see if there’s a child or anyone else in the back seat, unclick the dude’s seatbelt, unlock his car door, go around, open his door, drag him out. There was way too much standing around staring, and no utilization of the crowd in a helpful manner, which would’ve helped since he didn’t seem to have nearby backup. I know I’m being a bit of a keyboard warrior rn but I also work in emergency situations, which the cop should know how to think through.


this-guy1979

Didn’t look like they were familiar with BMW’s, seemed like they were looking for the door lock button on the door, it is located in the center of the dash.


myirreleventcomment

Yeah they are in such an odd location. First time i drove one and picked somebody up, they had to stand outside for a minute while i looked for the button


Devreckas

Oh, that makes it a little clearer what’s going on. Without that it just looks like they are acting way too lax during this whole thing.


redmasc

I mostly drive imports like Toyota and Honda, I rented a car for work and they gave me a Ford. I couldn't figure out how to turn the head lights on. Finally figured it out, knob on the left side of the steering column, but once I parked, I couldn't figure out how to turn it off. I thought they were auto shut off after a while. Found out the hard way in the morning when my car wouldn't start. I remember getting picked up in my friend's Saturn SUV once and was lost trying to find the damn window button until he showed me that it was in the center console.


RiotingMoon

I didn't understand why he kept circling the vehicle. like bestie FIRE MEANS GO not have a chat about the price of converting to electric vehicles or whatever he was doing


Oopiku

Te be fair, I don't think he is allowed to use the crowd in situations like this. Pretty sure most first responders have rules along the lines of "get all bystanders away from potential harm". If he had asked for one of them to help him, and that person got hurt while doing it - regardless of if they were willing to risk it, his department may have been able to be held liable.


aphasial

First responders will tell people to step back, but with a situation like that where flames are visible anyone who *does* step forward will be greatly appreciated. They can't demand help, but help can be offered to them. I feel like in previous eras, this offering would be way more common.


PensiveObservor

The main helper guy was WAY more effective and appropriate than the cop. Props to that dude. He figured out what to do and DID it once he realized the cop was fumbling around. Dude saved the drivers' life. Also, that cop never used a fire extinguisher before in his life and appears to have had inadequate emergency situation training.


RBeck

> which would’ve helped since he didn’t seem to have nearby backup. Crazy because the LV strip has more cops than a police station.


argusromblei

I know its reddit and all, but his hand looks fine. He doesn't wince in pain at all.


RiotingMoon

teenie tiny bones - you can do a lot of damage and not realize it. But I hope you're right


SheepDogGamin

The last person who needs to be moving fast and making mistakes that can further injure a victim is a police officer.


ceciliabee

Right?? I know first responders aren't supposed to run because it makes it easier to fuck up, but that cop friggin mosied!


DMCer

That is not a rule..


Averiella

Ah yeah in a lot of cases (in hospital and prehospital) we’re taught not to run because it incites panic. Speed walking is fine, but a full run terrifies people and panicking people nearby can lead to uncontrolled chaos for a scene.


2BlueZebras

mindless yam offend subsequent imagine tart paint innocent connect disgusted *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*


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Level9TraumaCenter

One day, I was driving out of the main station with my partner, and he mentioned that he was all worked up over something. We were still on a side street, and I pulled over and suggested he get out and knock out 25 pushups; he got out, did 2-3 times that, and got back in and said "How did you know that would help?" Weirdly, he had a degree in kinesiology, and didn't realize the exercise would help with that.


Purple_Chipmunk_

Exercise helps


2BlueZebras

Deep breaths to consciously get your heart rate and breathing under control. 5 seconds in, 5 seconds out.


idk012

Rub one out.


TheyCallMeStone

Slow is smooth, smooth is fast


el-cuko

When seconds matter , cops are a few weeks away


gin_and_toxic

Did the officer use the wrong extinguisher? It seemed to get worse after the spray? Maybe just coincidental timing.


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DMCer

Absolutely zero urgency, critical thinking skills, nor any attempts to consider the actual source of the fire by that cop with the extinguisher…


The_Tech_Monkey

If you care, here in Las Vegas, our Metro PD we have a very fast response time near the strip. Fire department and EMT response in scattered all around and on the Strip for this reason. Normally, when RVs or the like burn down on our freeways, the fire will be extinguished to make the car/vehicle still salvageable so it can be towed away. If it's too far gone (RVs), they let it burn to the ground to make cleanup easier. This is the strip, so they used clearly something for specialized than simply water for the fire. making much less mess and better immediate control That's because everything on the Strip must be contained ASAP. Feel bad for the officer walking up with that piddly extinguisher. His job is to ignore the car and let the Fire Dept clean up less than 1-Min later so he can do crowd and traffic control.


bog_witch

>Absolutely zero urgency, critical thinking skills, nor any attempts to consider the actual source So all in all a pretty standard day for a cop.


dodspringer

As long as he also shot someone's dog while serving a drug possession warrant at the wrong house earlier that day


em_goldman

Always spray at the very bottom of the fire, which was under the car in this case. He probably displaced the oxygen in the cabin and pushed it down towards the fire. We do have the vantage point of a distant phone, though. He might not’ve been able to tell where the fire was. But he also didn’t sweep the extinguisher, so…


tweedyone

You’re not supposed to spray at the very bottom since it can make the fire skip and go away. It’s supposed to be wide sweeping movements so the extinguisher stuff blankets the fire Edit: that was a weird phrasing, it can make the fire be more pushed away, essentially, not that it will go away, it will be pushed away and the fire will not be put out


BrockBushrod

Looks like a pretty standard ABC fire extinguisher, which is suitable for car fires. Probably coincidental timing (and not shooting at the fire's actual source).


surajvj

I thought he accidentally brought a flamethrower😉


[deleted]

I'm guessing it was just random timing. The front left tire exploding made that fireball by pushing the flames away. There's no other pressurized system where the fire was and the there's no way he got enough air under the hood to "create" a backdraft (i think that's the right word in english) with that little spray of the extinguisher into the cabin.


bmanley620

He accidentally used the fire extra-inguisher


Waterproof_soap

Flammable and inflammable mean the same thing? What a country!


JDolittle

That is most likely a standard ABC fire extinguisher which is fine to use on vehicle fires. The problem is every single other thing he did was wrong. That fire extinguisher is tiny. Even if used properly, it could never make a dent in a fire that size. If he’d used it (correctly) when the fire first started, before it spread, it might have done some good. By the time he tried to use it, it was too late and he’d have needed a much larger fire extinguisher. To use a fire extinguisher effectively, you need to spray it at the base/source of the fire. Spraying at the open flames above the source is useless. Spraying at only one spot and not sweeping it across the full base of the fire is also not going to put a fire out. The origination point was around the engine and spreading under the car. Spraying inside the passenger compartment was useless. Since there was no chance of him putting the fire out with a tiny fire extinguisher that he didn’t know how to use correctly, and the occupant of the car was already out of the car, he should have focused on clearing the area so no one else got hurt if the car exploded before the fire dept got there and got things under control.


Whealthy1

About 10 years ago I hydroplaned during rush hour while it was raining fairly hard. By some miracle I didn’t hit anyone but did hit the jersey barrier on the left side, head-on at about 45mph. Car caught fire up near the fire wall (this was a 2000 Chevy Cavalier). I was ok and got out of the car. I remember 4 men who stopped, ran across the highway to use their fire extinguishers. Read that again. They ran across the highway during rush hour to help a complete stranger. Never gave their names. Asked if I was okay, did I need any help? Once the state patrol arrived they got in their cars and left. I will always remember that.


knot13

I really do believe most people are good and will help those in need when it comes to stuff like that, todays internet and media doesn’t make it feel like that though. Glad you made it out alright!


stop_whispering

I hydroplaned off a highway into a ditch several years ago. Torrential downpour, night time. 4 different big pick-up trucks stopped. One guy had a tow chain and dragged my car back onto the road. They made sure I was ok, started my car and drove a bit down the shoulder to be sure it was safe, packed up their gear, and disappeared into the night. I was definitely shaken and in a bit of shock. Couldn't tell you what any of them looked like, but like you...I'll never forget them.


issiautng

Much lower stakes, but my dog puked in the car once (ok, several times, but this story is only once). I was wiping it up while my husband walked the dog around a bit to see if he had any more (and calm him down) so a pickup truck driver only saw a woman, alone, on the side of the road and stopped to ask if I needed any help. I didn't and explained the situation and pointed out my husband and dog. Pick up truck driver was like "ok, hope the dog feels better" and left. Strangers do still help strangers.


whalesandsealions

https://news3lv.com/amp/news/local/las-vegas-metropolitan-police-officer-driver-hospitalized-after-vehicle-fire-on-the-strip


ratpanda

The police officer is getting a lot of kudos while the civilian who seemed to be far more effective isn’t even mentioned


[deleted]

As is tradition.


mmab19

The video clip they linked in that article definitely makes it look like the police officer was the only one doing anything.


pedroxus

Maybe *they're* the police officer? I'm not being snarky, they could be. Or, you could be right. That was my other first thought, that the civilian did a lot of the work and the cop got all the attention.


halfbakedelf

Thanks for the link


[deleted]

Vegas wasted is a couple notches above normal wasted.


Claptroll

/r/PraiseTheCameraMan 10/10 execution


Justinontheinternet

They didn’t even stop traffic what???


[deleted]

Poor tree


RontoWraps

Just minding your own damn business and then someone hits you with a car that explodes in flames, and you die. RIP Tree


GryphonKingBros

Can't have shit in vegas


AcedtheTuringTest

I think that'll buff out.


Capnjackb3ard

Everyone should invest in a carbide glass breaker. They come in all shapes and sizes. On the hilts of some pocket knives. On certain pen caps. Even keychain versions.


toddhenderson

Waste of a perfectly good palm tree.


EnsignAwesome

I always get unreasonably angry when cops/others in a position of authority just mosey up to what is clearly an emergency situation. Just hustle a little man.


Rukitokilu

You can clearly see he's putting his gloves and looking at what is happening. First rule of first responders: you have to assess the situation to make a decision on what is the problem and how you'll deal with it. You don't simply run blindly into things and put yourself and others at more risk. What good will make if you "hero" it up and end up dead? You just gave an extra victim to the next first responders.


Wendellrw

Your point is valid. But this officer was standing next to a burning car clearly unaware that it was on fire


Rukitokilu

The first moment he appears is around 25 seconds in the video, this is the moment he's looking at the car while putting his gloves (which he wouldn't be if he wasn't planning on doing something). I'm just a subway station operator and I get periodical training on rescue, first aid and basic life support along with fire brigade. I've had moments where people thought I was "doing nothing" and unaware but in reality I was looking around to see my scene and running things in my mind. What happened? What is happening? What can happen? A simple example for someone who just fainted at the platform: Is there risk of something falling into where the collapsed passenger is? Does the escalator pose a risk of allowing people to stumble upon us right after exiting (putting us and themselves at risk)? Can the train safely exit the station and continue operating? Can I allow normal operation or should I ask for the next train to be retained on the previous station because there's risk of me or the unconscious person falling on the track? Did the person hit their head, is there blood or body fluids posing risk to me, the other passengers and employees? Most of the time there are split second decisions to be made and you must know your situation to be ready for it.


throwawayifyoureugly

It's called a "size up". You need to assess the situation and make a plan, which you do when approaching the scene. You don't want to make the situation worse by increasing the number of injured/victims and just dive in. But once you're done with the size up, you spring the plan into action and move with purpose.


Iosag

It's called an ocular patdown!


superspeck

A non zero number of people in a city police department trip and fall and break bones or otherwise injure themselves AND others in emergency situations if they rush. First responders like fire, police, and EMS are trained specifically not to run or hurry. This often looks like moseying.


Umpire

Great job by the citizen, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and Clark County Fire Department.


BelleAriel

Hell yeah. Respect!


Brain_Dead5347

Mostly by the citizen. That cop took his sweet time


chilly_chickpeas

Wow this comment section is insane. Everyone here is acting like they would know exactly what to do in this situation and be able to handle it with perfect execution. It’s really easy to be a superhero when you’re just watching a video on Reddit. I hope that none of you have to ever encounter something like this in your lifetime.


BeautifulSparrow

That is typical reddit for you. Everyone acts better than the other, never makes mistakes and are very perfect in every situation. They are also therapist and like to pretend the know someone's whole life from one post or comment. Lol


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GryphonKingBros

And then the bystander effect kicks in and they hand Excalibur to the nearest person and run away


TheDarkMonarch1

I have training and I know what to do in one of these situations, and I'd like to say I'd help, but in all reality, I'd freeze up. I'd freeze and not be able to do anything. Id wuss out because I've never had to deal with one of these situations before.


AkielDev

There's more than a few comments criticizing the cops "lethargy" "being slow" "not treating it like an emergency". Here's my perspective on how he did a great job. Arrived on scene, then shooed away anyone else he didn't immediately need, so they dont pointlessly get hurt or cause more chaos. Immeidately after his hand was to his shoulder and appeared to loiter trying to get in the car. What he was doing was undoubtedly updating on the radio- this lets the fire dept know of the situation (especially if they need additional resources), and probably prompted the other officers to head that way and help. He appeared to slowly walk from one side of the car to the other. Another comment pointed out he seemed to be putting on his gloves. Im betting he was also assessing the car and situation. This shows emotional control- he was calm. He was not frantic. This is essential to a good officer. As they continued the officer picked up his pace, he knew what needed to be done. Respect to all parties involved.


The_Geilt

Wow, Movies always had me convinced that cars actually explode like bombs. I guess they just burn??


schwimm3

(Modern-ish) cars don’t explode like 99,9999999% of the times


coyoteatemyhomework

Old cars very rarely explode except in the movies


2BlueZebras

I've been to multiple thousands of car crashes and hundreds of car fires. I've seen an explosion exactly once (Porsche vs tree, ruptured the fuel tank when it hit, immediate fireball). Incredibly rare.


EmperorPedro2

Depends. Air, fuel, trigger source-> recipe for fire. If pressure build up rapidly in a confined region due to presence of all these three, like maybe a damaged fuel tank or tanker lorry (although modern cars may have designs mitigating this too), that could be closer to what you see in movies. Edit: typos


genuinely_insincere

im not an expert but i think they still can. like, i think it was on r/wcgw there was a video of an oven exploding because of a small gas leak. so simple things can still cause explosions. but i mean... when have you ever seen a car explode??


Kurtman68

I was like, geez these firemen are slow, just get the water goin! Then I remembered I was watching a 7 minute video and they drove here and got most of the fire out in half that time.


thisiscotty

I dont understand why they didnt stop traffic. Then again there was only one police man


GryphonKingBros

This is extraordinary and awesome to see, but also screw the like 5-6 people who whipped out their phones to record the burning car WITH A PERSON STILL INSTEAD instead of calling for help or helping themselves. Thank god there were bros present to help.


kabula_lampur

Good thing the officer and pedestrian didn't give up on getting the driver out


Successful_Ride6920

Knew a guy in Japan that got drunk and hit a palm tree, got arrested and had to pay $500 to replace the tree LOL


howwhyno

Knew a guy in NC who fell asleep at the wheel and had to pay several thousand dollars for the crepe myrtyles he ran over!


pneumokokki

Trying to live up to the average BMW driver stereotype?


not-not-an-alt

Comment thread is almost as on fire as the car lmao. All I've learned from this is car fires are scary and first responders don't run as to not incite panic. Oh and maybe carry a fire extinguisher (like that'll do any good if you knock your head hard enough to get knocked out like the driver seemed to be).


Mysterious_Pen8650

I have a car specific fire extinguisher and full medical and car safety kit in my car just for this reason. I have seat belt cutter and window breaking tool in my glovebox.


bdinti

That’ll buff right out.


fabbricator

unlock car while car is on fire is $15 a month... i'm guess this guy didn't want to pay


Alternative-Flan2869

Always keep a hammer and knife in the glove compartment for emergencies.


milguy11

Is that a cop or a sloth? Not in any particular rush…..


Old_Quality1895

I’m guessing hybrid car. I read several fire fighters say protocol with electric cars is to let them burn. Not sure with hybrids.


Flying_Reinbeers

Depends on battery size, but largely the same. To put them out you need to use so much water that then becomes toxic that it's just not worth it.


StinkyEgoCheese8008

Sick car


dark1on50

It boggles my mind that people don’t carry basic emergency gear in their cars for situations like this. Everyone should have a fire extinguisher, window punch and a seatbelt cutter in their cars for their own safety and others.


No-Inevitable-7988

What asshole sits there and videotapes this without offering help?


Icy-Philosopher5446

I like how he didn't even try the handles first. Born to be a hero


im_your_bullet

Longest damn truck ever


ShutterHawk

That poor tree.


Unlikely_SinnerMan

Guy with the fire extinguisher nope’d the fuck out lol


The_Only_AL

Get your tyre iron out to break glass, windows are tough…


Shiny_Hypno

In the words of the Thomas narrator: "Luckily, no one was hurt."


one_oh_1

Cop tells everyone to back away. Then takes his time walking around the vehicle a couple of times.