What is the correct procedure for safely shutting off a vehicle's battery during a rescue?

Shutting off a vehicle's battery during a rescue is a critical safety procedure, and the recommended practice is to disconnect the negative terminal first and then the positive terminal. This method is essential because it significantly reduces the risk of electrical shocks and short circuits.

When the negative terminal is disconnected first, it creates an open circuit, which minimizes the likelihood of electricity flowing through the system. If the positive terminal were to be disconnected first while any part of the vehicle's body or frame is grounded, it would create a risk of a short circuit and potential sparks. These sparks can ignite fuel or other flammable materials present at the accident scene, posing a grave danger to both rescuers and victims.

This procedure is standard practice in both automotive safety and rescue operations, ensuring that all responders can work in a safer environment. Turning off the ignition before disconnecting the battery, although a good practice, is secondary to the order in which the terminals are disconnected. Leaving the battery connected is not advisable, as it can lead to unintended activation of vehicle systems, which could endanger rescuers or complicate the rescue process.