# Auto Air Bags- how deploy?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-air-bags-how-deploy/456875>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 17, 2008, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-air-bags-how-deploy/456875 "2008-07-17T21:47:07Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![roblor246](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e36b37/32.png) [@roblor246](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/roblor246)\
**Post date:** [July 17, 2008, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-air-bags-how-deploy/456875/1 "2008-07-17T21:47:07Z")

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I know that auto airbags aren’t just like soft pillows that blow up into  
your face, but they can cause injuries themselves (bruises, broken  
glasses, etc in their lifesaving duties. (I’m also thinking of the early  
airbag that, I believe, even decapitated a poor baby who was placed  
facing forward in a childseat in the front seat.)

How do auto airbags deploy if they’re covered by sewn upholstery (side  
bags), or big hard plastic (does the dashboard hinge upwards?) (does the  
top of the steering wheel blow up into your face too?)?

Thanks

Bob

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**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\
**Post date:** [July 17, 2008, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-air-bags-how-deploy/456875/2 "2008-07-17T22:00:45Z")

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The plastic cover on the steering wheel and dash is scored to create a weak spot. When the bag inflates, the scores pop and the inflating bag pushes the plastic out of the way.

Don’t know about side airbags, but I’d imagine they’re designed to blow through a seam, as well.

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**Author:** ![slaphead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9bcb4/32.png) [@slaphead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slaphead)\
**Post date:** [July 18, 2008, 9:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-air-bags-how-deploy/456875/3 "2008-07-18T09:17:33Z")

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[QUOTE=roblor246]  
(I’m also thinking of the early airbag that, I believe, even decapitated a poor baby who was placed facing forward in a childseat in the front seat.)

[/QUOTE]

Broken neck, I believe. Just as fatal, but much less dramatic.

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**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\
**Post date:** [July 18, 2008, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-air-bags-how-deploy/456875/4 "2008-07-18T11:51:04Z")

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My seats have hard plastic on the side. I believe it either splits, pops off or pivots on a hinge during deployment.