Which devices are used to lift and stabilize large vehicles or objects and are the most stable when fully inflated?

• A. Cribbing
• B. High-pressure airbags
• C. Jacks
• D. Low & medium pressure cushions

Answer: (D)

The main idea is using inflatable stabilization devices that spread the load over a wide area. When you fully inflate low-pressure and medium-pressure cushions, they create a broad, stable base with a low center of gravity. That large footprint distributes the vehicle’s weight across a bigger surface, which helps prevent tipping, sinking into soft ground, or shifting during lifting—critical for safe extrication of large vehicles or heavy objects.

Cribbing is solid and good for supporting loads, but it isn’t used to lift and can settle or shift if not perfectly placed. Jacks have a small footprint and can become unstable or slip under dynamic loads. High-pressure airbags can lift, but their narrower footprint and higher pressure make lateral movement and shifting more likely, making them less stable than fully inflated cushions.

So, when stability and safe lifting of large loads are priorities, low-pressure and medium-pressure cushions provide the most stable option once fully inflated.