No, you're right. The first thing I do is turn the key off and put the car in park if it is not already, providing the scene is otherwise safe. Airbag sensors are tricky things and they can deploy after the fact, not to mention all the cornstarch powder stuff that is used to keep them dry and functional that is released when airbags deploy (kind of a wierd "smoke" that isn't smoke at all).

 

Mike, you need to put the info in the proper context.
If you were an owner, you may know the proper context.

When the car is "healthy and normal" the FEH will leave certain circuits energized for a few minutes for convienience sake.

During an accident, all systems de-energize in a fraction of a second.
Unless of course, the accident was too minor to cause the safty systems to trip, and in that case, I'm 99.99% sure that no "first responder" would be using any tools to cut into the vehicle... but that's just my very informed opinion.

 

I agree with the fact that the manufactures have done everything they can to make cars as safe as possible. Probably even more so on the hybrids. In my own personal opinion I think they are the best made vehicles on the road. I have been in the automotive diagnostic business as well as the towing and recovery business for over 25 years. The only problem is that all the different scenarios can not be played out in a lab environment. Its the real world that puts every safety feature to the test. The MFG's themselves are quick to remind everyone not to assume anything. Here is a picture of a late model buick that ran into a downed tree. The tree went right through the firewall and into the passenger compartment and never triggered the air bag. I know its not a hybrid but its just an example of the fact that not every safety feature is guaranteed to work everytime. If an air bag deploys it will disable the high voltage system What if it doesn't deploy. I have to admit in my time of being around the towing business I have only seen two cases of bad crashes that the air bag didn't deploy. Probably a very small percentage I'm sure but always a possibility.I agree with the fact that the manufactures have done everything they can to make cars as safe as possible. Probably even more so on the hybrids. In my own personal opinion I think they are the best made vehicles on the road.