Hydraulic rescue tools are used by emergency rescue

Emergency service

Emergency services are organizations which ensure public safety and health by addressing different emergencies. Some agencies exist solely for addressing certain types of emergencies whilst others deal with ad hoc emergencies as part of their normal responsibilities...

 personnel to assist vehicle extrication

Vehicle extrication

Vehicle extrication is the process of removing the vehicle from around a person that has been involved in a motor vehicle accident, when conventional means of exit are impossible or unadvisable. A delicate approach is needed to minimize injury to the victim during the extrication...

 of crash victims, as well as other rescues from small spaces. These tools include cutters, spreaders, door busters and rams. They are popularly referred to in the English speaking Commonwealth nations, as well as the USA and Canada as Jaws of Life, a trademark of Hurst Performance

Hurst Performance

Hurst Performance, Inc. of Warminster Township, Pennsylvania, manufactured and marketed products for enhancing the performance of automobiles, most notably for muscle cars.-Products:...

, Inc. The Jaws of Life was first used in 1963 as a tool to free race car drivers from their vehicles after accidents.

Hydraulic rescue tools are powered by an hydraulic pump

Pump

A pump is a device used to move fluids, such as liquids, gases or slurries.A pump displaces a volume by physical or mechanical action. Pumps fall into three major groups: direct lift, displacement, and gravity pumps...

, which can be hand-, foot-, or engine-powered, or even built into the tool.