• Electric shock is a greater risk in hybrid cars.lightning 73 image by chrisharvey from Fotolia.com
  
  Rescue tools for hybrid cars are necessary to protect against the increased risk of electric shock. Hybrids use less gasoline than standard cars, but doing so requires an alternative source of energy, which comes from electricity. Because of this, rescue workers are at greater risk of being electrocuted. "In a 12-volt vehicle, if a rescuer cuts through a battery cable, the biggest threat he faces is creating a spark that ignites something," firefighter instructor Todd Hoffman tells ABC News. "In a hybrid, if you cut through the wrong thing---a high-voltage cable---it's possible you'll have a dead responder on your hands."
  
  

Insulated Gloves

• The greatest asset a rescue worker has is the ability to use his hands. Reaching into a badly damaged hybrid car to touch parts or people puts the unprotected or underprotected hands of a worker at grave risk. Insulated gloves are a must for rescue workers in these situations, because unlike standard cars, states ABC News, rescue workers are 10 to 20 times more likely to get shocked rescuing someone from a hybrid vehicle.
  
  

Hybrid Cutter Tools

• The Jaws of Life are used when battered cars need to be cut open to rescue passengers. The metal friction and powered engine of the traditional Jaws of Life put rescue workers cutting into charged parts of any kind at substantial risk. As a result, reports The Auto Channel, hybrid cutter tools are available to keep workers safe. These tools are manufactured with electrical current insulation to let workers cut without the risk of electrical shock.
  
  

Hybrid Combination Tool

• The hybrid combination tool is a third option to keep rescue workers safe from harm. The combination tool gives a worker the option to cut or spread pieces or parts of a car to extricate passengers. Nonconductive insulation is also used to coat a combination tool. Cutting into hybrid cars can be even more scary, reports ABC News, because parts are not always labeled clearly, preventing rescue workers from seeing if what they're cutting into is putting them at risk. Combination tools are lightweight and can be used by hand---making the insulation an even greater benefit.