Rapid help after an accident

28 Apr 2026News & Campaigns

Rapid and focused assistance is essential when someone has to be freed from a vehicle following an accident. Rescuers therefore need reliable information about the vehicle’s structure as soon as possible. The rescue sheet, which is ideally stored behind the driver’s sun visor, gives emergency personnel immediate access to this information. Although many fire services can now call up the right rescue sheet from their control center, this is not always the case. An additional sticker on the windshield makes it easier for emergency personnel to quickly locate the rescue sheet in the vehicle. (www.dekra.de/de/rettungskarte) Opening modern vehicles presents special challenges for rescuers.

High-strength materials, extensive airbag systems, and new technologies are being used increasingly in today’s cars. Highly stable passenger compartments provide reliable protection. However, after a major collision, they may make it difficult to free the injured rapidly and cause delays

explains DEKRA accident researcher Markus Egelhaaf.

It is crucial that rescuers can quickly identify those locations on the car body to safely and effectively position hydraulic rescue equipment. Just as important is information about the location of the batteries (including the 12-volt battery), energy storage systems, and any safety-relevant components. Special precautions must be taken to avoid damaging any parts of restraint systems when working on a vehicle. In the case of electric vehicles, there is the added need to reliably identify and deactivate the high-voltage system.

What can drivers do? Drivers should print a color copy of the rescue sheet for their vehicle. This can be downloaded at www.dekra.de/de/rettungskarte or obtained from the car’s manufacturer. Drivers can use the type code and contour to check whether they have printed the right rescue sheet. This should then be placed behind the driver’s sun visor. It is also helpful to apply a “Rescue sheet on board” sticker to the windshield, either at top or bottom left on the driver’s side. Stickers can be obtained free of charge at DEKRA locations or by clicking the link above.