SUV EMERGENCY VEHICLE OPERATIONS AND ANTI-ROLLOVER PROGRAM

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The SUV Emergency Vehicle Operations program consists of three days of intensive, hands-on emergency driving training. During the three day program participants will understand the physical forces placed on an SUV when it is in motion and how those forces can cause an untripped rollover; the automobile and maintenance for its major components; and security concepts as they relate to protective vehicle operations with an emphasis on preoperational planning and operational considerations for drive-time emergencies. Participants will also put the information discussed in the classroom into practice while driving through five rigorous and scientifically designed driving exercises tailored for use with SUVs.

CLASSROOM SUBJECTS

The Driver, the Car, and the Road

Participants will learn about the “Driver’s Triangle” and how it applies to what goes right and what goes wrong every time a driver is put into a potential vehicle emergency.  Participants will also learn about the human body’s physiological reaction to emergencies and how the flight-or-flight response applies to driving emergencies.  Finally, participants will understand the feet-per-second concept and why it is a more useful unit of measure for drive-time emergencies than miles-per-hour.

Vehicle Dynamics

Participants will turn driving into math and understand the physical forces that act upon vehicles in motion.  In particular, participants will understand the friction that is created between the tire contact patches and the road surface and the effect of lateral acceleration on the contact patches’ ability to control the vehicle.

SUV Performance and Anti-Rollover Driving

Though SUV’s are prone to untripped rollovers, a few simple driver inputs can allow anyone to drive an SUV in a performance manner during an emergency situation.  Participants will learn why SUV’s tend to experience untripped rollovers and how to avoid them.

Introduction to Vehicle Maintenance

Participants will receive an in-depth look at tires – the most important components of a motor vehicle – as well as a quick, ten-minute checklist used to make sure that every major vehicle system is prepared to safely move out of any vehicle emergency.

Security Brief

Participants will learn how to perform preoperational planning and operational tactics for the safe transportation of at-risk people and materials.

PRACTICAL EXERCISES

SUV Slalom Exercise

Participants will drive through a four-cone slalom to master the fundamentals of seating and hand position; aggressive and smooth steering; performance driving vision; and the control of lateral acceleration.

SUV Brake and Turn Exercise

Participants will learn how to use maximal braking while retaining directional vehicle control.

SUV Lane Change Exercise

Participants will learn how to quickly react to a vehicle emergency in which they must make split-second decisions while maintaining vehicular control.

Emergency Backing Exercise

Participants will learn how to precisely control an SUV while rapidly backing up and how to perform a rapid reverse-of-direction to speed away from a frontal vehicle ambush.

Counter-Ambush Exercise

Participants will drive through an obstacle course in which they will put to use all of the skills they will have learned and practiced while attempting to escape a violent vehicle attack.

Note: During all practical exercises, students will practice utilizing our SUV Emergency Action Plan to prevent dynamic untripped rollovers.