This is why you ALWAYS use jack stands

[Jeepster_nut]

This is a sad thing that could have been prevented if he had just used jack stands. Always use jack stands fellow BITOG'ers

http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/news/new_haven_cty/seymour-man-crushed-by-his-own-car

 

[Audi Junkie]

When they come down, it's fast and hard.

 

[daves87rs]

SAd...

 

[Jeepster_nut]

I just hope he didn't suffer and it was quick....

 

[daman]

Thats to bad....always jack stand guy's,always...

 

[Bluestream]

He was using a sissor Jack? Not a good idea..

 

[Trav]

That's a real shame.

 

[SZR48207]

Originally Posted By: Bluestream
He was using a sissor Jack? Not a good idea..


this especially. Of all jacks to use on car I would have the least trust in a scissor jack. I almost wonder if he was using the oem tire changing jack for his vehicle to do some work.

 

[Win]

Sure sounds like it.

I always set floor jacks as a backup / failsafe to my jack stands.

 

[bdcardinal]

They even require jackstands in most forms of racing now if any pit crewman goes under the vehicle.

 

[Vizzy]

Very sad for his family.....

I can understand WHY people might do this...the jack that comes with the car is handy and nearby but you have to think for a minute and remember that all it takes is ONE failure of a product that was NEVER EVER designed to be used with a person underneath the car while in use and it all makes sense....ALWAYS use jack stands and preferrably allow the jack to remain partially raised near a solid lift point as well in the rare event that the jack stand might fail...

I also ALWAYS place my cell phone right next to me on 911 speed dial..

But if possible it is ALWAYS good to have someone nearby in ANY case ...just in case you need help.

 

[joel95ex]

jack stands, ramps, or a lift. i would never get under a vehicle with any type of jack no matter what is was rated. I see people doing it every now and then and can't believe they are doing it......begging to die.

 

[Nick R]

I always use jack stands... Our floor jack is very old, but still works, though I want to get a new one. I have only used a scizzor jack once, and it was to hold up the front of the engine so I could reattach the engine mount the other day. The vehicle was on jack stands at the time.

 

[Mr Nice]

A cinder block under the frame of the car could have saved him.

 

[eljefino]

^ if it didn't suddenly crumble into concrete dust

 

[fdcg27]

There is nothing more potentially dangerous than a raised car.
Almost any busy shop will have at least one story of a car falling off a lift.
The jack that comes with a car is intended for tire changing, and is as durable as it has to be for one or two uses through a car's life.
To trust that jack to support the vehicle while you get underneath it is death-wish foolish.
I can understand that someone might think that the task will only take a moment, and it should therefore be okay.
Clearly it isn't okay to get underneath a vehicle supported only with a jack, as this fellow learned at the ultimate cost.

 

[tig1]

Five years ago one of my sons helped pull a man from under a van he was working on when the floor jack failed. He died as well.

 

[Mr_Incredible]

I always use jackstands. For extra margin, whenever possible I'll also slide any taken-off tire/wheels underneath the car as well. Plus I leave the jack just kissing the lift point.

I've cheated the Reaper too many times to give him an easy score.

 

[rslifkin]

This is one of the reasons why I much prefer working on my Jeep to most cars. It's tall enough that I can climb under it and do most stuff without needing to lift it in any way. Oil changes and such are easy with it on the ground.

 

[mjoekingz28]

Originally Posted By: Win
Sure sounds like it.

I always set floor jacks as a backup / failsafe to my jack stands.


Yes, exactly.

My worse nightmare is being buried alive (unable to move my head), and well, this scenario is close enough to that.