IPSS Search and Rescue teams will be better equipped to save lives thanks to the donation of the ‘Jaws of Life’ tool.

The R200 000 hydraulic tool allows first responders to prise open car wreckages to get to trapped victims and can often be the difference between life and death in situations where every second counts.

The tool was donated by Mozambik owner, Brett Michielin, last week and gratefully received by the IPSS team.

Named the ‘Mozambik Claw of Life’, the tool has already been put to use, most recently to free a trapped patient in Umdloti while awaiting the fire department’s arrival.

Michielin said he and his partners wanted to support a non-profit organisation and have committed to donating one Jaws of Life to a different non-profit organisation each year across the country.

“When IPSS Search and Rescue operations director Marinus Nabal and his team asked for a place to hold a fundraising event, they told me how important the Jaws of Life are when it comes to rescuing people. I thought, they are doing an incredible job, helping people, so I spoke to my partners and we decided to help,” said Michielin.

Nabal thanked Michielin and explained the tool’s use.

“There was a time when three accidents happened at once. The KwaDukuza Fire Department did great work, but they were the only ones with this tool. This meant people trapped in cars had to wait longer for help. Now, we can rescue them faster. We also want to thank Resqtec for training our team on how to use the tool,” said Nabal.

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