10 replies to this topic

[novax8]

Hello,

Never really posted on this board before but after seeing the Miata fire at the VIR endurance race it made me go double check how easy and fast I can get out of the car with my eyes closed. I have a Kirkey containment seat and am a bit short at 5'8" so the left halo portion eats up some window space and after trying today I can't reliably get out (hans gets caught on cage and helmet only fits out window sideways. I was curious how many folks out there can get out of the window with the door closed and if there are any recommendations of other containment type seats that are not so bulky. I understand it is a rare event but I do feel a tad uncomfortable not being able to escape that way if needed.

[Xav]

Being an RD in my region makes me setup compliance drills in my region. While there is no set requirement for it, I also make people do passenger side egress drills. Is it the solution? Hardly. However, I'm a fairly small, pliable, dude with a similar seat and while I "can" get out, it would require me to ditch the hans. We can't anticipate all circumstances, but we can do our best to mitigate our danger no matter the situation.

 

Few notes:

1. Practice getting out with your eyes closed. It's a lot harder than it sounds. This simulates a smoke-filled cabin.

2. I've seen an older gentleman (age 50+) get out of an SM through the passenger side window in sub 6 seconds. Was amazing. No, he didn't stick the landing (dove out the window).

3. The give/take on the containment seat versus window accessibility - I'd take the containment seat all day. (barrel rolled a crx 4.5 times once)

 

Stay safe out there.

[davew]

Sparco has a containment seat with removable head bolsters. We have started selling these seats on a regular basis. Sparco Ergo seat

[Alberto]

^isn't that seat is rather tall though?  Iirc, it didn't fit in a local guy's car.  YMMV

[Justin Casey]

I have the Sparco Ergo II in my car and love it. It fit in my car with a transmission tunnel notch out kit; I got mine from Miata Cage. It's mounted to the original floor (no drop kit installed) and not perfectly square but I barely notice it anymore. 

 

I also have the drivers side head bolster removed to make room for my window net. I'm 6' tall and weigh about 200 pounds for reference.

[davew]

We installed one  a few weeks ago in a SM with a floor drop and he loves it.

 

FYI, slightly off topic, I highly recomend a floor drop over the tunnel notch out. Done both, sold both. Just my opinion

 

Dave

[Finchy]

This will make the exit hole bigger :

 

GCR 9.1.7.6.b

 

To improve driver exit through the window area, the driver vent window and vent window supporting frame may be removed as an assembly.

 

also 

 

GCR 9.1.7.7.d

 

OEM exterior mirrors shall be retained. Mirror mounting position may be changed, but must remain within 6” of the original location on the exterior of the door.

 

Remove the window and frame then move the mirror forward up to 6"

[novax8]

Everyone thank you for the replies. I have removed the small window and frame.... that helps a bit. The head restraint is the part causing me the most difficulty so maybe I can get a shorter one as this one seems much longer than a lot of the other seats in the market.

[Alberto]

If you don't already do this, I suggest that you put  your helmet and HNR on before entering the car and exit the car while still wearing them.  This at least builds the muscle memory to enter and exit the car quickly and efficiently while wearing those items.  

 

From there you can try window exits which I'm sure will take some practice and building some muscle memory as well.

 

JohnnyD taught me this early on.

 

HTH

[Johnny D]

Just a FYI, the 10 second test in NASA isn't out the window...

 

16.2.2
Emergency Exit Time
The vehicle should be setup to allow drivers to exit the car quickly in an emergency. Drivers should be tested from  time  to  time  to  ensure  that  they  can  meet  the  specified  time  for  exiting  the  car  in  the  event  of  an emergency. The  driver  must  demonstrate  the  ability  to  exit  their  car  within  ten  (10) seconds  by  opening  the door (for cars with doors) or open
- top vehicles (e.g. formula / sports racers) ; and within fifteen (15) seconds by way  of  the  window  opening  for  sedans and  sports  cars
.    Drivers  must  be  wearing  all  of  their  required  driver’s gear  and be  tightly  belted  into  the  driver’s  seat  when  the  clock  starts.    Anyone who fails  this  test  may  be penalized  with  penalties  ranging  from  a warning to  exclusion  from  participation  until  corrections  are  made.

 

Note - passing  the  Emergency  Exit  Time  test  does not guarantee  anything,  as  many  different  situations  may present  themselves  in  a  real  emergency.    The  test  is  an  exercise  for  the  driver  as  well  as  functioning  to demonstrate the ability to exit the vehicle.

[Alberto]

Hmmm... Maybe one of these can help.

 

 

 

Maybe re-use the Miata's aibag like these guys did.

https://www.youtube....bed/3GSMNS1L8qo