Whenever I hear an ambulance drive by, I hear the clanging of chains or something. What makes that sound? Why?

Question

I live about a mile up the street from a hospital in Cincinnati. I hear several ambulances go by a day and they all sound like their dragging around chains or something underneath. Just wonderin.

Answer 1

Depending upon what your local ambulance service spec'd out when they purchased their "bus", it may have come equiped with "insta-chains". These are chains designed to be used in snowy or icy conditions, and are remotely controlled from the cab. You often time see them on school buses, and firetrucks. Why? Because when they are not in service, they hang up underneath and between the frame rails by the back axle.

Answer 2

I know what you are talking about. I work and go to school at UC which is surrounded by a ton of different hospitals so I hear the ambulances a lot. I always wondered what that sound was. I'm glad someone else noticed it too.

Answer 3

the idea of dragging chains came about because sometimes static electricity builds up. the chains allow the static electricity discharge to the ground. the static electricity can cause an explosion if it discharges in the ambulance especially when oxygen is in use.

Answer 4

Do you have any hearing damage at all? Intense noises can sound strange if you have hearing damage like tinnitus. I was around a lot of weapons fire in the Marines and I have some high range hearing loss, sirens and airplanes can be so intense it overwhelms your ears and makes a crackling sound.

Answer 5

are u sure it wasn't u in the ambulance,i think u had some kind of head trama

Answer 6

I've never herd the chains. Where do you live?

Answer 7

never heard that on any around here

Answer 8

ummm.... don't know i just wanted points

Answer 9

that's your brain