A prototype air bag restraint was evaluated in 1971 using human volunteers at barrier crash environmental profiles of 10 to 22 g in 2 g increments, and barrier impact velocities of 24 kph (15 mph) to 48 kph (30 mph). Thirteen volunteer subjects participated in the test.

Each subject was seated in the right front passenger position of the test vehicle, which had the interior dimensions of a Class "B" automobile. Results of serum enzyme determinations, observed trauma and subjective response descriptions are described in this paper.

Serum enzyme levels of creatine phosphokinase (CPK), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), and serum glumatic oxalacetic transaminase (SGOT) were performed on the ten subjects who were exposed to the nominal peak 20 and 22 g decelerations. Blood samples were drawn one hour prior to impact and at 1, 24, 48, and 72 hours post-impact. Peak vector sum accelerations of the chest for the subjects studied ranged from 44.1 to 70.4 g during impact and from 17.3 to 50.5 g during rebound. There was no significant differences in the enzyme levels over time for the ten subjects studied.

Trauma observed during the entire investigation was not exceptionally remarkable and consisted of erythema, abrasions, contusion and blister.

Subjective responses were primarily stinging of the nose and face, headaches and neck soreness. Occasionally, subjects recorded marked complaints in the abdomen and in the knee-thigh region.