Photo by Ron Moore The deployable rollbars on this Saab convertible are hidden beneath the two panels along the rear deck. The silver tags on each rollbar cover panel state “Do Not Cover.”
This article reviews a unique occupant protection system that is appearing on an increasing number of new convertibles in recent years. Although the system has been around for several years, there is a good possibility that you and your medical and extrication personnel are unaware of it.
Certain late-model convertibles are equipped with a hidden, pop-up rollbar system instead of the standard permanent or integrated rollbar. During a rollover crash, the new deployable rollbars operate similar to toast popping up out of a toaster. Instead of toast though, heavy steel rollbars suddenly appear from beneath the rear deck area behind the rear seats while the vehicle is flipping over. To prevent the occupants from being crushed as the convertible rolls over, these systems sense vehicle tilting angle, forward speed and even weightlessness to predict that a rollover accident is about to happen. If the right conditions are met, the rollbars push up through their covers and lock into position in a fraction of a second.
It is critical that emergency responders become familiar with the appearance of the different designs of rollbar rear headrests, covers or deployment panels. In a rollover, they would have already deployed and locked in position. The safety concern for responders is when the convertible has crashed but not rolled over. The deployable rollbars, also known as Roll-Over Protection Systems, or ROPS, get their power from the same circuits that power the airbags and seatbelt pretensioners. As we all know, accidentally shorting wires that are still energized during our extrication work can cause things to happen that we don’t want. One such scenario could be accidental deployment of the rollbar system. This would be especially dangerous for responders working over the back of the vehicle such as when holding manual spinal immobilization on injured rear-seat occupants.
Study the images provided to become familiar with the different system designs. Visit a new-car dealership to look at these systems firsthand. At incident scenes, emphasize the importance of shutting down the vehicle’s electrical system. This minimizes the chances of an accidental rollbar deployment. In addition, just like with loaded airbags, keep personnel, equipment and patients clear of the “pop-up” zone.
Photo by Ron Moore These two different styles of deployable rollbar systems from Mercedes look more like tall headrests. With the gray vehicle, the back half of the headrest pops up to become the protective rollbar during an emergency. On the tan vehicle, the entire headrest moves upward to become the rollbar. Note also the side airbag ID along the rear panel of this two-door vehicle.
Photo by Ron Moore An interior view of the deployed rollbars on this BMW show the added height above the headrest that is necessary to protect the occupants from being crushed in a rollover.
