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The tolerance to abrupt linear deceleration (-Gx) and the subject interaction with an air bag plus lap belt and air bag only restraint systems were investigated. Twenty adult male baboons comprised the test pool. Peak sled decelerations ranged 8.6-123 g. The results indicated that the tolerance to impact (LD50) utilizing an air bag with or without lap belt was in excess of 120 g. The severest injuries were attributable to the lap belt, and included rupture of the rectus abdominus and quadriceps femoris muscles plus diaphragmatic tearing. There were no significant injuries to subjects restrained with only an air bag. Excellent linear correlations were established between peak lap belt forces and maximum sled deceleration. Comparative evaluation of the air bag restraint with a previously reported lap belt study was made when applicable.

Abrupt linear decelerations (-Gx) were conducted with human volunteers in order to study the loading to the human anatomy while restrained with the lap belt, lap belt plus air bag, and Air Force harness systems. Impulses and peak forces in the lap belts and peak forces in the seat pan, seat back, and foot cells were measured and compared. Each subject was compared with himself using the different systems, and the range and mean of these comparisons are shown. The results indicated that in comparison with the lap belt only system, both the lap belt plus air bag and the Air Force harness systems significantly reduced the impulses and peak forces transmitted to the pelvis.