National Child Passenger Safety Certification Training Program

Module 5

Air Bags

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5-2

Module 5 Objectives

• Describe the purpose and function of air bags.

• Identify features, warnings, and markings related to

air bags for frontal and side impacts.

• Identify features of inflatable seat belts.

• Locate air bag information in owner’s manuals

and vehicles.

• Explain best practices about air bags to caregivers.

Air Bag Definition

• Vehicle safety device

made up of flexible

fabric envelope

designed to rapidly

deploy in a crash

• Located almost

anywhere in vehicle

5-3

How Air Bags Work

• Spread crash forces

over a large part of body

• Can only deploy once

and MUST be replaced

after a crash

5-4

Air Bags for Frontal Impacts

• Driver air bags in steering wheel

• Front seat passenger air bags in instrument

panel, over glove box

• Knee air bags in some vehicles

5-5

3 Types of Passenger Air Bags

1. Always on or active in the vehicle

2. Can be turned on and off using a manual switch

3. Automatically turned on and off by vehicle based

on occupant seated in front passenger seat

5-6

Always On or Active Air Bags

• NEVER place a rear-facing car seat in front

passenger seat.

• If a forward-facing child must sit in front passenger

seat, move vehicle seat as far back from air bag as

possible; make sure child is seated in an

appropriate car seat/booster seat. Instruct child NOT

to lean forward in the seat toward air bag.

5-7

Air Bags that Turn On and Off

Using a Manual Switch

• Caregivers must check owner’s manual to

understand proper operation of on/off switch.

• If a forward-facing child must sit in front passenger

seat, the switch must be in “off” position.

5-8

Air Bags that Automatically Turn On & Off

With Occupant in Front Passenger Seat

• Caregivers need to understand specific systems

installed in vehicle. Remind them to check their

owner’s manual.

• Caregivers should always assume air bag is on if not

sure. NEVER place a rear-facing car seat in a seating

position with an active front air bag unless vehicle

owner’s manual allows it.

5-9

Air Bags that Automatically Turn On & Off

With Occupant in Front Passenger Seat (continued)

• It is important that caregiver understands what

indicators in vehicle mean. Ensure that air bag is

“off” for child sizes and conditions listed in

owner’s manual.

• Just because a vehicle is new, do NOT assume

passenger air bag will have an automatic on/off

system.

5-10

Typical Location of Front Air Bag

Warnings & Markings

• Warning label always

located on sun visor

• Labels or markings

typically located on or

near cover of air bag

5-11

Typical Location of Front Air Bag

Warnings & Markings (continued)

• Always check vehicle

owner’s manual to find

more information about air

bags for front crashes.

• Each vehicle manufacturer

places labels in different

positions and may use

different terms.

5-12

Air Bags for Side Impact

• Found in both front and rear rows

• NOT required in all vehicles, unlike front air bags

• Generally smaller than front air bags

• Found in various places:

– In door

– Inside vehicle seat

– In roof

5-13

Front Center Air Bags

• Found in right (inside)

side of driver’s seat

• Open from right side of

driver’s seat and deploy

forward, between seat

and center console

• Labeled, when present,

on right side of the seat

5-14

Typical Location of Side Air Bag

Warnings & Markings

• Warning labels may be

found anywhere including:

– In the door opening

– On end of instrument

panel

– Near air bag

5-15

Typical Location of Side Air Bag

Warnings & Markings (continued)

• Labels or markings

may be found:

– On side of seats

– Near edge of roof

– On opening or the

side of door

5-16

Inflatable Seat Belt

• Generally opens in frontal,

side, and rollover crashes

• Located in shoulder portion

of lap-and-shoulder seat belt

• Has 2 retractors and a

sewn-on latchplate

• Spreads belt loads over a

greater area of chest than

standard seat belts

• Provides additional head and

neck support during a crash

5-17

Practice Activity

Locate Front and Side Air Bag

Information in Owner’s Manuals &

Vehicles

5-17a

Key Questions Related to Air Bags

• What types of air bags are in vehicle?

• Where are air bags found in vehicle?

• Is passenger air bag automatically switched on and off

in vehicle?

– If feature is present, where is indicator light or lights?

– Under what conditions does vehicle automatically switch

passenger air bag on and off?

• How do vehicle’s air bags affect the car seat or

booster seat?

5-18

Progress Check

Answer these questions in your TG:

1. What is the purpose of air bags?

2. What are the crash types in which air bags

are designed to deploy?

3. What are three types of passenger air bags?

4. What must you do with air bags after a

crash?

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