powder (as in gub powder) actuated seatbelts???? (1 Viewer)

[stayalert]

In my EMT class the other night we were learning the basics of vehicle extraction...The instructor said that nearly all cars have powder actuated (like a shotgun shell of sorts) seatbelt devices that activate in a crash. She was pretty convincing about all cars even pre-airbag vehicles - I was skeptical and come here to ask:

Is this true of my '94 80 series??????

 

[Beowulf]

Definitely not true on a 97 80-Series and probably not true on your '94 and more than likely not true period.

-B-

 

[NLXTACY]

What the hell?!

Seat belts are supposed to do one thing: NOT detach while holding you in your seat.

There would be zero effective use for having a device like that on a seat belt. I *think* the instructor was thinking airbags and not seat belts.

EDIT: after reading below I guess I stand corrected. Who knew?

 

[psfpilot]

Some of the latest and greatest cars have them; not a factor for us because we drive the latter but not the former.

Firehouse.Com's University of Extrication - Pre-Tensioner Systems: Design & Function

 

[Stereo11]

Yes, she is right. The seatbelts do have a sort of shotgun cartridge in them, used to auto retract your seat belt in an accident and pull you back in your seat to stop you hitting the windscreen. Only have seen them fitted on Vehicles in conjunction with Airbags. Have had a set in a car go off on me and trap my arm between the "B" Pillar and belt. ...oh yeah and if you set one off they all go off.

 

[deano180]

high guys, i am only a newy to the forum but i have a little knowledge on this from when i was swinging spanners on cars.the differences from aust to your vehicles would not be much in this area i don't think.
what the instructor was talking about was pyrotechnic seatbelt pretensioners.they are more of a 2nd generation supplementary safety device(where airbags are the first).they are now commonly fitted in conjunction with airbag equipped vehicles and are designed to fire when the airbag fires to take up any slack in the seatbelt they do this by shortenig the buckle length,the idea is to reduce the forward travel of the occupant.once these have fired as with airbags they are a throw away item.
to answer the original question no your cruiser would not have them fitted as they have only been a common fitment in the last 8-10 years(in australia anyway)
hopes this info helps.

p.s. posted my 80 series in the register with some pics if your interested.
cheers Deano

 

[IdahoDoug]

No pretensioners on the 80 series. Great feature to have, though.

DougM

 

[60wag]

My 99 SAAB has them mounted inside the B pillar. Its a serious looking little device with warning stickers all over it.