Editor's Note: Tom has written in to say that he is undergoing treatment for cancer, and he apologizes to his readers for any delays until he is able to submit future articles. He invites readers to visit his blog to follow his progress at www.caringbridge.org, under the website paramedictom. Please consider stopping by his blog or our own forum thread to submit a message of support.

How many ambulance crashes can you or your agency afford this year? This column by T.E.A.M. Driving Concepts, Inc. focuses on driving safety to help emergency medical personnel attain the specific knowledge, skills and attitudes for today's highly specialized ambulance operator. Columns are written by the educational staff at T.E.A.M. Driving Concepts Inc.

Acceleration is the A portion of the ABCS of emergency driving safety. Just as the airway must be opened and properly maintained for our pre-hospital patients to survive, so to, acceleration is the first vital component of driving an emergency vehicle.

For the most part, we will only be looking at the concept of accelerating from a stop with a patient on board. Acceleration while in motion is considered a change in speed which we will discuss during the column on S for speed.

When beginning to accelerate, thoughts should immediately change to how and when the operator will stop the vehicle. The old saying of what must go up must come down, is the same for vehicle dynamics; what goes into motion (accelerates), must stop (eventually). Acceleration always involves deceleration at some point and time. But few ever give it a thought when accelerating to their next course of action, that being able to stop.

Accelerating from a stop (with a patient on board) should ALWAYS be performed slowly, smoothly and steadily. "Jack rabbit" starts NEVER benefit the patient. The patient and any passengers should barely know that the vehicle is accelerating. The smoother the ride the more confident and relaxed the patient is, along with better patient assessment, care and treatment. Sudden acceleration can cause equipment and supplies to fall onto the patient or other occupants, causing injuries. Your partner can easily be tossed to the back of the ambulance or within the patient compartment with rapid acceleration, again injuring them or the patient.