ROLLOVER
SIMULATOR BUILT AND FORMALLY PRESENTED TO
RAC J BY MIDLAND COLLEGE AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY
Regional
Advisory Council J (RAC J) Trauma Awareness Committee and Midland College
Automotive Technology teamed up to build a Rollover Simulator. 
Rollover
Simulators are used to present seat belt safety at Health Fairs and other
events. With only a visual model, these phenomenal students built
an awesome machine in a matter of a few months. Midland College Automotive
Technology took the finished project to contest and won Regional and State
competitions. The Rollover Simulator can now be used in 17 counties in Region
J, which includes 16 participating hospitals and 45 ambulance services.
Injury prevention is a primary goal of the Trauma Awareness Committee of
RAC J.
A
Rollover Simulator is a machine that resembles the cab of a truck.
It ‘rolls’ in place to simulate a rollover accident. Crash-test dummies
are placed inside the cab to simulate real people. Using seat belts,
dummies are placed in the cab, and it is turned over and over to show the
force and mechanics of a rollover accident. Then the seat belts are
removed and the ‘roll’ repeated. The unrestrained dummies will get
thrown around, often half-in and half-out of the cab when it is rolled.
Many times the dummies are ejected. The ultimate goal and mission
of this display is to actively and visually teach the public the importance
and benefit of seat belts during a rollover accident.
The
Rollover Simulator was formally presented to the RAC at a banquet on May
13, 2003. Midland College Automotive Technology instructor, Ted Sumner,
and
his students completed a presentation of the building of the simulator.
The students then received trophies and recognition for winning State and
Regional Contests. Shari Smith, RN and Melody Hart, LVN EMT-P, Co-Chairs
of the Trauma Awareness/Injury Prevention Committee, spoke at the banquet.
Trauma prevention efforts of the Committee, the RAC, and the Texas Trauma
System were explained to the audience. Plaques and Certificates of
Recognition were presented to the students, faculty, and the sponsors of
this project. “These students and their lab supervisor have done an excellent
job in building this rollover simulator,” said Shari Smith, Emergency Department
Unit Director at PRMC in Andrews. “It really was a team effort among
the students, as well as businesses and individuals in the communities who
donated their time, money, and expertise to this project.”