ACD, together with ICET, offers a complete training program for emergency response services.

SAVER Method

During complex incidents, relying on the basics and a protocol based system offers the best results for survival. In light of this the International Centre for Emergency Techniques (ICET) introduced the SAVER-method. SAVER provides the framework to expand basic knowledge and systematically organise response efforts. Although there existed a systematic approach to accidents (involving serious injury), SAVER helped evolve a simple, effective training concept from amongst the chaos.

The Systematic Approach to Vital Emergency Response (SAVER) is the result of years of international experience gained in the field by ICET and other ICET related specialists and the SAVER Foundation, ICET’s non-profit arm. SAVER is a dynamic, didactic and operational model capable of integration into any existent operational procedure or protocol. The success of the SAVER method has propelled the experts to further develop it into a disaster management model where various management processes are being developed into steps or clusters.

The SAVER-method of systematic approach has many aims. The extrication of casualties in a more coordinated fashion. This coordination leads to a safer working environment for both the rescuer and the victim. This approach ensures that no further harm is done to the casualty. In case there is any aggravation of injury, it is kept to the minimum. ‘Time is life’ and this approach speeds up the rescue effort, making the Platinum 15 minutes attainable, thereby reducing morbidity and mortality.

A systematic approach is easily replicable and reconstructable and can easily be evaluated in terms of quality performance during the rescue effort. This systematic approach offers a fixed and understandable guidelines for all the stakeholders involved in rescue and for all types of incidents. The end goal is to attain maximum efficiency and effectiveness with the available resources.

Rescues, no matter what the cause or type of entrapment are simplified into seven separate steps or phases. Per phase, specific goals can be set and the individuals performing the various tasks can be identified.

Truly Multidisciplinary

At ICET we are of the view that principle emergency assistance is a team activity. If we want an optimum effort, then all principle emergency assistance providers require an insight into every possible method, priority and organisational procedure available.

The training increasingly operates in an interdisciplinary manner involving all emergency services. The inevitable result was a great demand of the courses across the world and a subsequent expansion of course material. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the courses entrapment is not the only subject in SAVER; other emergnecy response aspects are also included.

This philosophy behind the structure of the courses drives students from different disciplines to opt for the SAVER courses. Every student gets a chance to walk in the professional shoes of another. Knowledge sharing, practicing and reliving the experiencing of emergency services of other unrelated disciplines provides valuable insight into others’ functions. The carefully selected SAVER instructors have international and interdisciplinary experience in practical rescue.

International experience taught ICET the global similarity in objectives of emergency response; it also brought forth the differences in approach. ICET thus maintains a proper mix of internationally enforced standards, values and guidelines all the while guaranteeing quality.

Our medical guidelines correspond with PHTLS®, Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support. This course, originally from USA is already used in over thirty countries and is the gold standard practice for professional emergency services when dealing with accident victims. The Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support is in conjunction with the clinical course ATLS®. Advanced Trauma Life Support is the equivalent of PHTLS®, but for hospital personnel.

For the Urban Search And Rescue course (USAR), the guidelines as drawn up by INSARAG, the International Search And Rescue Advisory Group Of the United Nations.

For the Aircraft Rescue course the criteria of the umbrella organisation within aviation applies - ICAO, International Civil Aviation Organisation.

All SAVER courses are evaluated according to international rules and regulations. If there are no international rules, then the generally accepted gold standard as set by a large (national) umbrella organisation is used. The guidelines of NIBRA (Netherlands Institute for Fire Fighting and Disaster Management) apply in the Netherlands, but ICET also looks at the standards and guidelines of organisations such as NFPA -International, National Fire Protection Association (USA). SAVER courses are therefore continuously evaluated and adjusted to the applying standards. ICET has the best of many alternative approaches.

In situations where there are no guidelines or where guidelines are being developed, ICET has a pioneering role. Here lie the foundations of self investigation and development, making ICET very active in tracing new developments from the automobile industry. ICET continuously looks through the eyes of the rescuers: not only what effect the new developments have for the passenger and rescuer, but also what demands are placed on the rescue equipment and materials? Because of this an intensive co-operation has been developed with leading motor vehicle manufacturers such as Volvo and Volkswagen and also with producers of rescue equipment such as Holmatro.

The bottomline is that there is vertical and horizontal integration of expertise in course structuring at ICET. Final approvals of the courses are carried out by the SAVER Foundation Board. The Board itself is well represented by all disciplines including medical and technical..