A Cut Above The Rest: How The Vancouver Fire Department Quickly Resolves Stuck Ring Challenges
An Unmet Need: Effective Ring Removal Tools
The North Vancouver Fire Department struggled to find an answer to their stuck ring challenges. Joel Urbani, Emergency Vehicle Technician at North Vancouver Fire recognized a need for reliable tools that do the job and prioritize safety. He set out to find a ring removal tool solution.
The Quest for Better Ring Removal Tools
While not an expected situation, many people find themselves in a situation where their ring gets stuck on their finger. Unsure what to do, they may try at-home methods for removal, but ultimately they have to reach out for medical assistance. Like many professionals who find themselves removing stuck rings, Urbani recalls the traditional manual methods of ring removal to be inadequate for the job.
“Previously our emergency ring removal tools consisted of the typical hand crank ring cutters with a steel disc for soft metals, a Dremel tool with copper strips to protect the patient's hand for hard metals and a variety of pliers” Urbani stated.
While a seemingly simple procedure, these traditional ring removal tools fell short and put both patients and providers at risk. With his crew’s dissatisfaction clear, Urbani purchased the Ring Rescue Compression Device in Fall 2020. This device provides reliable results with a predictable approach to ring removal, and it also allows for the ring to remain intact.
While the Compression Device is an effective solution for some stuck ring cases, it did not completely satisfy the stuck ring problems the department faced.
“We found that a majority of patients would rather have the ring cut off which led us back to the problem of using tools the crews weren’t completely happy with,” Urbani explained.
The department continued looking for an effective finger ring-cutting tool to solve this common problem.
A Promising Stuck Ring Solution
With the non-destructive removal option secured, the final piece of the ring removal puzzle was to find an effective and safe medical ring cutter. Enter — the Dolphin Ring Cutter.
Theresa, a Ring Rescue Sales Representative, introduced the Ring Rescue Kit and Dolphin to the Vancouver department and showcased the innovative features. “One demo and I knew this device would solve a lot of our problems,” said Urbani.
The department purchased the Ring Rescue Kit and, coincidentally, they had a stuck ring call the day after it arrived.
The Delivery Day Debut — Dolphin Ring Cutter
A true testament to the Dolphin’s efficacy came sooner than the Department had expected.
“The day we took delivery of the Dolphin we had a ring removal call” Urbani noted. “Other than having seen Theresa’s demo and the videos online I grabbed the Dolphin and went with the crew to the call. The Dolphin was easy to use and performed flawlessly. The ergonomic shape of the tool that allows you to rest it in a position that keeps the patient and users hands in a comfortable position is a huge positive. It’s quiet and the ring stays cool which is great for patient comfort.”
In an industry known for its high safety standards and tough critics, there were no complaints from Urbani’s crew. The Dolphin's user-friendly nature and ability to deliver consistent results with minimal training further solidified its position as the department's go-to finger ring cutter tool.
Minimize the Hassle and Provide Quality Patient Care
Fire and EMS professionals are often the last line of defense when no one else can solve a problem – that’s why they need the right tools for the job to deliver the quality care patients expect.
This story highlighted the immense value of providing crews with tools that are not only highly effective, but also easy to implement. As Joel Urbani wisely puts it, "A new tool that does not require a lot of finesse or training is great."
With the Ring Rescue Kit, departments can standardize ring removal with purpose-built, adaptable tools that allow a single user to remove any stuck ring - safely and efficiently - regardless of the ring metal.
(Editor’s note: This blog was originally published in October 2023 and was updated in May 2024 to reflect the most up-to-date information.)
