In collapse and trench rescue, the first enemy is secondary movement. Before victims can be reached, unstable structures, leaning walls and shifted vehicles must be stabilized - and that is the job of heavy support systems.
What heavy support systems include
A modern heavy support kit typically contains telescopic struts, extension pieces, base plates, articulated heads, straps and locking pins. Systems like the ODE ZC-35 are engineered for rapid assembly and rated for substantial axial loads, allowing crews to shore vertical, angled or horizontal loads in minutes.
Best practices at the scene
- Assess before you touch: identify load paths, voids and hazards before placing any strut.
- Build on firm footings: use base plates or cribbing to distribute force and prevent sinking.
- Work in pairs: one rescuer positions while another monitors structure movement.
- Over-shore, never under-shore: rated capacity should exceed the estimated load with a safety margin.
- Monitor continuously: vibration, aftershocks and weather can change loads over time.
From collapses to construction
Beyond earthquake and explosion rescue, heavy support equipment is widely used in construction for temporary shoring and in heavy-vehicle accidents. Manufacturers such as ODE Technology design their kits for both emergency and engineering use, with interchangeable components that reduce the logistics burden on response teams.