In Part 2 of our series, we continue examining the challenges that a Saturn vehicle can present at a crash scene. Using the following “real-world” images, discuss how fire, EMS and extrication tasks are influenced by the structural design of the vehicle, the various body materials used and the safety systems present.

Photo By Ron Moore

Real-World Challenges: Polymer body side panels. The first challenge that any damaged Saturn vehicle presents to a rescuer is the plastic polymer body side panels. Forcible entry for this jammed rear door should include the “vertical crush” attack. Note the door failed inward, moving over the top of the rocker channel. This movement could potentially crush or trap the feet and legs of a rear seat patient in a more severe collision.

Both the door panel and the rear fender are plastic polymer material. Opening the arms of a spreader vertically in the window opening is the most efficient door set-up technique for the Saturn. Attacking the door at the latch will be very difficult because the polymer body and door panels will bend and crack and the spreading tool will slip. In addition, the lightweight metal structure of the door can make the common latch attack more difficult than expected. Cutting the door at the hinges or at the door latch typically is a faster, more efficient forcible entry technique for these vehicles.

Photo By Ron Moore

Photo By Ron Moore

Real-World Challenges: Third door. Forcing entry on the third door requires that the upper roof rail latch and the rocker channel latch be freed. If both the front door and the third door are found jammed, open the front door first. Once open, then pry the lower latch of the third door free at the rocker. Finish the job by cutting through the vertical window frame member of the third door (the one that looks like the B-pillar). This leaves the top latch still attached to the roof but allows the third door to open. The third door can also be removed by attacking the large hinges but only once the door is opened. The hinges are not readily accessible until the third door is actually open.

The point of impact on the Saturn was at the passenger front door hinges. Note that the door hinges are still attached to the A-pillar; they have been torn out of the end of the front door itself. The door now rests squarely on the unoccupied passenger front seat.

Photo By Ron Moore

Photo By Ron Moore

Real-World Challenges: Head Curtain airbags. The airbag ID for the Saturn Head Curtain airbag consists of a small emblem sewn into the headliner near the edge of the sun visors. If the sunvisor is down or turned to the side, the airbag ID may not be readily visible. The airbag’s stored gas inflator module is secured to the inside of the rear C-pillars. Rescue crews should strip away interior trim prior to cutting into the roofline or the roof pillars.

The front and rear door remain attached to the B-pillar and the rear door is attached to the C-pillar at the rear latch. In this incident, if persons were trapped inside, total passenger sidewall removal could best be accomplished by use of cutting tools; there isn’t anything solid enough to support a spreading attack. Note pieces of the fractured polymer body panels scattered around the scene. The small diameter door collision beams are visible now because the door has been “skinned” by the impact. The B-pillar torn completely off at the rocker channel when the spot welds failed.

Photo By Ron Moore

Photo By Ron Moore

Real-World Challenges: Sidewall Removal. The side-resting SUV ran head-on into the four-door Saturn on its passenger’s side. The SUV originally approached the intersection from the upper right corner of this picture, traveling towards where the vehicle is resting now. The Saturn was traveling on the cross-street, moving right to the left in this picture. Fortunately, the Saturn driver was the only occupant of that vehicle.