In our New Vehicle Technology for First Responder courses over the years, we have been asked numerous times about the dangers of cell phones keeping a vehicle electrical system alive after the 12 volt battery has been disconnected. The common myth we encounter is that the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) computer will remain energized by the cell phone battery that is connected to the vehicle through the power outlet, and may cause unwanted deployment of airbags during extrication procedures.
March 5, 2012
In the not so distant past, this scenario would not have been the case. Advancements in Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) and body structure have greatly increased your chances of survival during a collision. Just how is this accomplished? Multiple airbags, pre-tensioner seat belts, active head rests and vehicle stability control are just a few of the specific ways modern vehicles are safer than models produced just a few years ago. In this first of three articles, we will be taking a look at the airbag portion of the SRS system, and how it operates.
November 19, 2011