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ILLUSTRATION BY: SCDF

Locating the man’s arm from below

“When we went to the unit below, the neighbour was very cooperative. Anticipating that the cutting of pipes would release some water into his kitchen, we quickly shifted his furniture and items to a safer place,” WO1 Azlan shared.

The team examined two vertical pipes leading from the unit above.

“First, we opened the cap on the smaller pipe to release the pressure and suction inside,” WO1 Azlan said.

The team then cut open the smaller pipe with a battery-operated saw. Using a fibre-optic scope, the rescuers confirmed that the man’s hand was not in this pipe.

They then turned their attention to the larger pipe, cutting open a section of it. “After we made the cut, we cleared the debris inside and felt for his hand,” WO1 Azlan explained. “Once we confirmed where his hand was, we used the multi-tool to carefully cut off the pipe bit by bit around his hand.”

With the trapped arm now visible, the rescuers could assess the entrapment and determine how to carefully manoeuvre it free. “Usually, when a person’s arm is stuck for a few hours, swelling is expected. Fortunately, the swelling in his arm was not too excessive,” WO2 Zulhelmi noted.

Dismantling the kitchen sink to create space

While WO1 Azlan and WO2 Zulhelmi worked on gaining access to the man’s arm in the unit below, the team upstairs began to remove the kitchen sink. This would give them the vertical space needed to lift the man.

“If the man’s arm was very swollen, it would not be advisable to lift him out. We would have to consider breaking the concrete around his arm,” WO2 Rasheedh explained. “But since his arm was not very swollen, our strategy was to remove the kitchen sink first and attempt to lift him.”

“Removing the kitchen sink and cabinet from above the man was a delicate process,” WO2 Rasheedh said. “Throughout, we ensured that the debris would not fall near him.”

Three DART Specialists, SGT3 Ahmad Fauzan Bin Ahmad Jupri, WO1 Mohammad Syazwan Bin Mohd Illias, and SGT3 Syed Amir Haziq Bin Syed Ahmad Alkugsi, also used blankets and plastic shields to protect the man from debris.

A medical team from Ng Teng Fong General Hospital was also on-site, working with SCDF paramedics to assess and provide medical support to the man.

“We removed the kitchen sink in intervals. Every 10 minutes, the man’s vital signs would be checked by SCDF paramedics and the medical team from Ng Teng Fong General Hospital. Upon confirming that the man’s condition was stable, we continued the breaking process,” SGT3 Ashraf shared.

The confined space and limited ventilation in the kitchen proved to be uncomfortable for the man, who perspired profusely. As the rescuers and paramedics provided water to him, they also reassured him and verbally prepared him for the rescuers’ next course of action.

Meanwhile, in the unit below, WO1 Azlan and WO2 Zulhelmi periodically touched the man’s hand to ascertain if he could feel anything. “He reacted when we touched his hand, so it was a good sign,” WO2 Zulhelmi said.

Freeing the man’s arm in three tries

Once the kitchen sink was removed, the rescuers prepared to lift the man.

“The strategy was to lift the man upwards in his original position,” WO1 Azlan shared. “Before that, we had to ensure that his arm was aligned in the same angle that it entered the pipe. If not, lifting him may result in more harm and pain.”

Describing the scene, SGT3 Ashraf said, “WO2 Rasheedh and I held the man’s upper torso, Fauzan and Syazwan held his hips, and two firefighters held his legs.”

“As WO2 Rasheedh had a clear view of the man’s arm from his position, we waited for his signal. On his cue, we lifted the man in one synchronised movement, keeping his body parallel to the ground and his arm straight. At the same time, the team in the unit below gently pushed the man's arm upwards,” he added.

The first attempt looked promising. “We saw the arm move upwards and knew it was working,” WO2 Zulhelmi said.

After ensuring that the man was not in pain, the team made two more coordinated attempts to lift him. Finally, his arm slid free from the pipe, marking the end of the two-hour rescue operation.

“The man was relieved and grateful to be freed. Our EMS colleagues assessed and conveyed him to the hospital,” WO2 Rasheedh said.

For the DART Specialists, who each have nine to 12 years of experience, the incident was straightforward, though not without its challenges. Approaching it with precision and skill, they managed to free the man quickly and safely.