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Comment by abalone | Hacker News Reader

Hi there. Go ahead and watch this video from Tesla about how to cut someone out of a Tesla. The very first step is to cut the circuit like you say, but there are a few things you overlooked.

Much of the video is concerned with instructing responders how to cut around components that may remain electrified such as the converter and capacitors which, in Tesla's own words, present a "serious hazard of shock" because "they can release up to 400 volts in just an instant."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntK3rvVl2Qw

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Nitpicking, I know, but releasing 400 volts means nothing. Current kills, tension does not. It all hinges on the internal resistance of the power source.

That and time. You could get hit with high volts and current, but still be fine if the exposure is short. I have had a few 240v mains shocks on high current fuses, but they were all pretty quick and I had nothing but very slight burns and sore muscles for about ten minutes.

However, there is definitely a risk here, albeit what appears to be a manageable one. Perhaps there could be some use in building volt meters that glow into gloves for emergency responders to help mitigate some of the risk.

Perhaps it would be even better to say, "power transmission kills."

Well, also the resistance of the load.

Voltage means A LOT. A regular 12V car battery is a perfect proof: it has enough current to kill you, but at only 12V it doesn't overcome your body's resistance much under most circumstances.

400V can overcome your body's resistance no problem. And obviously an EV has a crap ton of amperage as well.

Do other car manufactures provide such videos?

I know a paramedic in rural Australia. They get taken to local car dealers to get safety training with electric cars.

As I understand it it's done on a per-model basis, but that wont really work as an increasing number of electric car models end up on the roads. I'm not sure if this is done all over the state/country, or if it's the one local dealer being friendly with the local emergency services.

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