A Portland area law enforcement officer was knocked unconscious when an inadvertently deployed air bag sent his rifle butt smack up against his head. He is still recovering from the incident that occurred two years ago, Long says. A Minnesota mechanic who did not follow the proper de-activation procedures when working on an air bag was knocked unconscious on the show room floor of a car dealership when both driver and passenger side air bags deployed on the vehicle at once. He suffered a hearing loss for two days, though no long-term health damage. This is important information for fire fighters, paramedics, law enforcement, mechanics, and vehicle owners.
Air bags save lives.
Air bags have been required equipment since 1995 and the technology has been changing rapidly. There are four car models that have ten air bags in them. Some cars have air bags that are six feet long. They deploy at 3000 pounds per square inch. The technology exists to put 21 air bags in cars and to put an air bag on a motorcycle.