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Dual Airbags - Not wife and Mother in Law

© Robert Moyer

DUAL ACTION AIRBAGS: Robert Moyer, Captain

This notice is to be used as a guide only for all emergency personnel who respond to motor vehicle accidents involving air bags. They now have what is called a dual action airbag. Dual Action type airbags have two inflators. It is now important to treat all undeployed airbags with the same respect as an active airbag. Because you now have the possibility of a second deployment of the airbag, long after the initial impact. This could cause serious problems to the medic or rescuer tending to the patient. The purpose of the dual inflators is so the airbag can deploy the right amount of force, depending on the severity of the crash. So maintaining a safe working distance from these airbags is of utmost importance. Maintain a safe working distance from all airbags by using the following guide:  Side Impact Airbags : 5 - 8 inches distance  Driver Frontal Airbags : 10 - 12 inches distance  Passenger Frontal Airbags : 20+ inches distance Please be aware that these distances are guidelines and will not be appropriate for all newly developed airbags, but it does give the rescuer or medic a general guideline to work from. It should be noted that side impact curtains deploy down from the headliner approximately 12 inches. DO NOT place body parts through open side windows to access the patient. Should an accidental deployment occur, having body parts positioned through an open window could result in serious injury. This would result in having to deal with another victim on top of what you already have. Do not cut the inflator, located in the rear pillar or the airbag its self. This type airbag uses a hybrid inflator. Many manufacturers are now placing these inflators in the lower portions of the pillars (A, B, C posts). So as rescuers or medics, we must now cut these pillars 8-10 inches up from the top of the doorline. The airbag manufacturers, the automobile industry suggests that you should not restrain or cut any airbag system. Most airbag systems use hot gases to fill the airbags. Passenger frontal inflators containing sodium azide will reach temperatures in excess of 1,200 degrees F. Cutting the cushion to the airbag system will only allow these hot gases to be released into the atmosphere of the vehicle's cabin. Cutting the inflator could result in the two ends becoming projectiles.

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