Views: 632 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2026-01-22 Origin: Site
In the vast desert, once a vehicle becomes trapped, rescue becomes a special dialogue with the forces of nature. The unique characteristics of soft sand dictate the uniqueness of rescue equipment and techniques, and any negligence could cause the vehicle to sink deeper and deeper.
Selection of key equipment for overcoming difficulties
The primary equipment is a portable inflatable jack. Unlike traditional hydraulic jacks, it inflates through the vehicle's exhaust pipe, providing a wide and stable support surface on soft sand, safely lifting the vehicle body and facilitating the placement of pads under the wheels. When used in conjunction with a dedicated recovery board, it provides a hard temporary attachment surface for the tires, making it the combination with the highest success rate for self-rescue.
The long-handled rescue plate is another powerful tool. Typically exceeding 1.2 meters in length and capable of being assembled from multiple pieces, it provides a longer distance of hard track for tires, especially suitable for situations where the tires have sunk deeply into ruts. Its metal or high-performance composite structure must possess extremely high bending strength.
Specialized tow ropes for deserts are typically longer (recommended to be 8-15 meters) and are woven from high-density polyethylene material, with virtually no elasticity. This ensures a more direct transmission of pulling force during long-distance towing, avoiding the "jumping" towing caused by elastic ropes in sandy terrain, which can easily lead to secondary vehicle entrapment. All connection points must be linked to sturdy anchor points on the vehicle using D-shackles.
The ironclad rule of safety: no compromise
Tire pressure adjustment is the first lesson for driving and escaping in the desert. Before entering the desert, the tire pressure should be reduced to 0.8-1.2 bar (depending on the vehicle weight and sand quality), which can significantly increase the tire's ground contact area. However, after escaping, it is necessary to immediately use the on-board inflator to restore the tire pressure to the road pressure, otherwise it is very easy to cause tire bead separation during the return journey on the highway.
Before rescue, the floating sand within a range of at least one meter in front of and behind the wheel must be cleared until reaching a solid sand layer. When towing, it is essential to ensure that both vehicles maintain a straight line of traction, as any angular deviation will cause the tow rope to sink into the sand, increasing resistance. The commander must stand in an absolutely safe position on the side and use clear gestures to communicate.
When towing over a long distance, it is necessary to maintain continuous and stable power to avoid frequent stopping and starting. The most effective way is for the leading vehicle to maintain a constant speed, while the trapped vehicle engages second gear or third gear (for automatic vehicles, switch to manual mode), and gently steps on the accelerator to coordinate with the power of the leading vehicle, like "two cars swimming synchronously" to get out of the trouble together.
When rescuing in the desert, it is important to remember that every successful escape stems from respect for physical laws, mastery of equipment performance, and reverence for natural forces.
