Motor City Monday Extrication Tip; Side Curtain Airbags
Ever wonder why you arrived on scene of a motor vehicle accident and the side windows are blocked by a inflated deployed airbag? Vehicle inflatable curtains airbags generally fall into two main categories. The first is designed to absorb the energy of a direct side impact called “First Impact”. The second type of curtain is designed to retain the pressure and is able to provide energy absorption up to several seconds in rollovers and in case of second impact. This second type of airbag retains pressure which when used in a vehicle, meet the NHTSA’s requirements for ejection mitigation in rollover accidents.
Side airbag curtain can covers the entire upper part of a vehicle’s side. Basically anywhere a passenger is seated next to a side window. It can be designed to protect one row (A to B pillar), 2 rows (A to C pillar) or 3 rows (A to D pillar) of occupants. In case of large passenger vans like the Ford Transit, a single side curtain airbag can cover all five rows of seating with a single bag. For more information of the Ford Transit large side curtain airbag inflated by 2 stored gas inflators read my post on Boron Extrication.
This screenshot from Moditech’s Crash Recovery System highlights the Side Curtain Airbags and the stored gas inflator.
Heavy Stabilization & Lift Class
This weekend, Toranze Lee and Premier Extrication held their Heavy Stabilization and Lifting class taught. The class focused on advanced techniques using the Paratech equipment, eDraulic tools, grip hoists, vehicle stabilization methods, airbags for lifting, power tools, and the use of heavy wreckers for extrication.
Some of the departments that attended:
The North Carolina Extrication School at Sandhills Fire Training Center was hosted by the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal. Firefighters had the opportunity to learn cutting-edge tactics in the world of vehicle extrication from some of the top instructors in the county.
Training
Car into an apartment building
In Mississauga, Canada, a vehicle crashed into a large residential building and the damage could have impacted up to 4 stories. Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services stated the vehicle hit the window on the building’s second floor. The driver was extricated and transported to the hospital.
Car into an apartment building
In Mississauga, Canada, a vehicle crashed into a large residential building and the damage could have impacted up to 4 stories. Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services stated the vehicle hit the window on the building’s second floor. The driver was extricated and transported to the hospital.
