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Air Bags - - - | |||||||||||||||||
Several years ago, I came upon a single-car wreck that had just occurred, in which an unfortunate tall 19-year-old had lost control of his Mustang, which struck several large rocks before coming to a sudden stop at a large boulder. He was wearing his seat belt & shoulder harness, and his air bag had deployed -- then had quickly deflated, becoming useless as his car centered the largest rock. His head hit the windshield cowling, causing serious head trauma. We called the helicopter to the scene on the Interstate, but he was worsening as time passed. Why can’t air bags remain inflated until vehicles stop? No one would suffocate in that extra few seconds. Many vehicles hit trees or boulders in glancing blows enough to activate the air bags, but do not stop suddenly until centering that boulder or oak tree.
BamaDoc, Apr 13 2007
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I don't know that this is the reason, but it might be: the air bag may be designed to cushion shocks by deflating. If it stayed rigidly inflated, the occupant might just bounce off it with the same force that they would have bounced off whatever the airbag is covering.
Or, perhaps not -- it might just be that no one has thought it through. In that case, it has my vote.
Actually, the air bags deflate completely -- so that the occupant still hits the protuberances cushioned only by the material which comprises the bag. If they were to maintain some pressure, they might do what you suggest, and what is needed (from my perspective) -- In the case I cite, the kid was too big for his car anyway -- but the air bag did him no good when he most needed it, keeping his head from the window frame. Thanks for your input.