The rescue card: important help for the fire brigade and the like.
This is why the rescue card in the car is important
After an accident, every second counts: The rescue workers have to free injured people from the accident car as quickly as possible so that the emergency doctor can treat them. To do this, they often have to cut open the vehicle first. But modern cars are becoming more and more stable and the technology more complex. The danger: Hidden airbags or high-voltage power lines in e-cars can endanger emergency services or accident victims. This is where the rescue card helps: It shows the fire brigade and co. all the technical features of the vehicle. We show you where you can get a rescue data sheet for your car free of charge and where it is best to store it in the guide.
What is a rescue card?
Where is the battery located on the car – and where is the petrol tank? How is the high-voltage system of an electric car reliably deactivated? And what is important to prevent the airbag from triggering afterwards? In the event of an accident, emergency services must answer such questions within seconds.
The rescue card helps them with this. The vehicle technology of your car is schematically depicted on it. In a side view and from above, for example, the belt tensioner, airbag igniter and side impact protection are drawn. In electric cars and hybrid models, the traction battery, high-voltage components and power lines are also marked.
This is important so that the fire brigade and rescue services know exactly where on the vehicle they are using their tools such as spreaders and rescue scissors after an accident. In addition, in electric cars and hybrid vehicles, for example, they can see which components are energized and where they park it. This is the only way they can quickly cut open the body and free the injured without putting themselves and them at additional risk.
Emergency card: When things have to be done quickly
This shows that if the worst comes to the worst, a rescue card or a rescue data sheet in the car is indispensable. The sketches on the emergency map are standardized. Vehicle manufacturers offer them free of charge for every vehicle type.
Good to know: You can print out the rescue or safety card for the car yourself and leave it in the vehicle. With the sticker "Rescue card in the vehicle" on the windscreen, you show the emergency services that they will find an accident card in your car.
Where you can get rescue cards and stickers for free, you can read further down in the guide.
Paper rescue card in the digital age?
Paper lifesavers: At present, it is not yet possible to transmit the emergency card of a certain type of vehicle quickly and reliably to the emergency services at the scene of the accident. In practice, this means that if there is no rescue card on board, rescue workers request one via the control center. However, it sometimes takes longer than necessary for them to receive the technical information electronically. For example, if the emergency services are in a dead zone.
Advantage of the paper rescue card: If it is located in the vehicle behind the sun visor on the driver's side, the firefighters can access it directly.
Important: So far, there is no obligation to leave a rescue card in the car. However, safety experts recommend that all drivers carry an emergency card in their vehicle in their own interest.
How to get a rescue card for your vehicle
For example, if you need a rescue card for your BMW, Audi or Dacia, it is best to contact your vehicle manufacturer directly. This also applies to all other car models. On the manufacturer's website you will find the right emergency card for your vehicle. Automobile clubs such as the ADAC and the testing company DEKRA also offer free rescue data sheets for various vehicle models.
Rescue cards for download (small selection)
Print out the rescue card and leave it in the car: This is how it works
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Be sure to download the right accident card for your vehicle type, for example the rescue card for the Audi A3 or A4. This is because each model has its own technical features, which are listed on the map.
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Check whether the contour of the vehicle shown corresponds to your car.
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Print the rescue card in colour, as various components and areas relevant to rescue workers are colour-coded. This is the only way for the emergency services to recognize immediately what they need to pay particular attention to.
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The original rescue cards are in DIN A4 format. Please be sure to print them out in this size.
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If you don't have a color printer, contact either the car manufacturer or an automobile club. You can also order the appropriate rescue card there free of charge.
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Do not fold your printed emergency card too small and with the printed side facing outwards so that it is immediately noticeable. Then clamp the rescue card behind the sun visor above the driver's seat. This spot in the car is considered an international standard and is known to all emergency services.
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If you have left your rescue card in the car, don't forget to include a corresponding information sticker. The sticker with the inscription "Rescue card in the vehicle" is available free of charge from automobile clubs such as ADAC and ACE or the TÃœV. Stick it on the top left or bottom of the windshield on the driver's side – in such a way that it does not obstruct your view as the driver and is easy to read for the emergency services from the outside.
Our tip: Here we tell you how to form an emergency lane correctly after an accident.
Frequently asked questions and answers about the rescue card in the car
Why is a rescue card important in the car?
The rescue card in the car makes it easier for emergency services from the fire brigade or the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) to rescue injured people from a vehicle quickly and safely. The emergency map schematically shows technical components and special features of a vehicle. The rescue forces are guided by this and can thus plan the rescue faster and better.
Based on the sketches, they can immediately see where they can cut open the body and which areas are too massive and would therefore delay the work. Or where concealed airbags or high-voltage power lines endanger rescue workers or accident victims.
It is therefore important that you download the rescue card free of charge from your car brand's website, print it out in colour and stow it in the car behind the driver's sun visor so that the emergency services can find it.
Is a rescue card mandatory?
A rescue card in the vehicle is currently not required by law. However, security experts recommend carrying the card in the car. In an emergency, it can speed up the rescue by the emergency services.
Where does the rescue card go in the car?
It is best to clamp the rescue card behind the sun visor on the driver's side. The rescue workers look there first, because this place is internationally considered the place for the emergency card. In addition, you can order a sticker with the inscription "Rescue card in the vehicle" free of charge, for example from the ADAC or ACE. If the sticker is stuck to the top or bottom left of the windshield, the emergency services will know that you have left an emergency card in your vehicle and can access it immediately.