If your aerial apparatus begins to skid, what should you do?

When an aerial apparatus begins to skid, taking your foot off the brakes is the appropriate action because it allows the tires to regain traction. During a skid, the wheels may be locked or skidding due to excessive braking, and by easing off the brakes, you enable the tires to start moving again. This shift in control usually helps in reestablishing grip on the pavement, allowing for better steering control and preventing a complete loss of stability.

Engaging the brakes immediately can further destabilize the vehicle, worsening the skid, while accelerating may cause the vehicle to lose even more control. Steering against the skid is often a recommended technique in some situations, but it needs to be coupled with proper braking and throttle control; if the apparatus is still skidding due to locked brakes, simply steering without proper traction control will not effectively manage the skid. Understanding the dynamics of both the vehicle and the conditions it’s operating under is critical, and taking your foot off the brakes serves to optimize that balance.