Injuries caused by seatbelts

Abstract

various devices including anti-submarining seat designs, load limiters and safety belt pretensioners. This paper reviews the injuries that vehicle occupants may sustain as a result of wearing a seatbelt during a MVC, and the devices employed to prevent them. Injuries caused by seatbelts Intra-abdominal injuriesSeveral possible factors contribute to intraabdominal injury following MVCs, including acceleration/deceleration shear stresses and compression of the abdominal contents by external forces such as a seatbelt. This can cause damage to the solid organs within the abdomen (liver, spleen) but also to hollow organs such as the bowel, either directly or as a result of increased pressure within the abdominal cavity (Campbell et al., 2003). The constellation of symptoms and signs associated with seatbelt injury to the abdomen has been termed seatbelt syndrome (Garrett and Braunstein, 1962). This describes the results of rapid deceleration and flexion or jackknifing of the upper torso around the lap belt, producing compression of the bowel against the spine causing rupture, associated with lumbar spine (Chance) fractures (Chance, 1948). The classic sign is bruising over the lower abdomen corresponding to the position of the lap belt, and the patient may complain of abdominal and back pain (Newman et al., 1990). Seatbelt syndrome is caused by malfunctioning of the lap portion of the seatbelt, as it rides up the abdomen at point of impact, due to the body 'submarining' forwards under the belt. Trauma 2005; 7: 211-215 Injuries caused by seatbelts JE Smith a and MJ Hall bSeatbelts save lives. However, they may cause injury to adjacent structures and when they malfunction can cause injury to the abdominal viscera, bony skeleton and vascular structures. The motor industry has attempted to reduce these injuries by modification of vehicle design and safety equipment. This paper discusses the patterns of injury caused by seatbelts and the methods by which the motor industry attempts to reduce their incidence. Injuries caused by seatbelts 213Trauma 2005; 7: 211-215 Campbell DJ, Sprouse LR 2nd, Smith LA, Kelley JE, Carr MG. 2003. Injuries in pediatric patients with seatbelt contusions. Am Surg 69(12): 1095-99. Chance GQ. 1948. Note on a type of flexion fracture of the spine. Br J Radiol 21: 452-53. Chedid MK, Deeb ZL, Rothfus WE, Abla AA, Sherman RL, Maroon JC. 1989. Major cerebral vessels injury caused by a seatbelt shoulder strap: case report. J Trauma 29(11): 1601-603. Chipman ML. 2004. Side impact crashes -factors affecting incidence and severity: review of the literature. Traffic Inj Prev 5(1): 67-75. Claytor B, MacLennan PA, McGwin G, Rue LW, Kirkpatrick JS. 2004. Cervical spine injury and restraint system use in motor vehicle collisions. Spine 29(4): 386-89. Dalal SA, Burgess AR, Siegel JH et al. 1989. Pelvic fracture in multiple trauma: classification by mechanism is key to pattern of organ injury, resuscitative requirements, and outcome. J Trauma 29(7): 981-1000. Emery KH. 2002. Lap belt iliac wing fracture: a predic...

Seatbelt submarining injury and its prevention countermeasures: How a cantilever seat pan structure exacerbate submarining

“…This riding over cause severe loading of the abdomen, causing solid and hollow organ injuries. [ 15 16 ] The lap belt riding on the abdomen due to his submarining is the source of injury to his abdominal solid and hollow organs. The force exerted by the lap belt caused bruising on the lower and mid abdomen along with all of his internal injuries.…”

Analysis of Auto Release Seatbelt SystemforMultipurpose Vehicle

“…It is usually composed of polyester. During a collision, the retractor allows the occupant to move freely while still tightening the webbing [11][12][13]. The latch plate is a metal device that secures the webbing to the buckle by being fastened to it.…”