Mercedes-Benz has added a sticker to all of its vans designed to assist emergency services in an accident.
The Rescue Assist sticker incorporates a QR code, which rescuers can scan using an enabled smartphone or tablet.
Doing this opens up a digital rescue card that shows all model details including the location of vital vehicle components, such as fuel tanks, airbags and electric cables.
According to Mercedes this information enables a fast and safe rescue, minimising the risks for both occupants and emergency teams, and in the process saves around two minutes of precious time.
If no mobile internet connection is available, the rescue services can also make use of a free-of-charge app specially developed for this purpose and available from 2015.
The app allows digital rescue cards to be called up offline from the device’s memory, which can be updated with new and modified rescue cards at the touch of a button.
The location of the Rescue Assist sticker is standardised for van model. On the Vito and the Sprinter, it is located on the B pillars on the driver’s and the co-driver’s side. The Citan has it inside the fuel filler flap and on the B-pillar on the other side of the vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz is also offering the Rescue Assist sticker as a retrofit option on all of its vans built since 1996. Dealers will be able to supply the stickers from January 2015.
