Emergency First Aid Procedures

Emergency First Aid Procedures

If the airbag is ruptured without deployment and exposure to the propellant mixture occurs, observe the following first-aid treatments:

• Ingestion - Do not induce vomiting and seek prompt medical attention.
• Skin contact - Immediately wash skin with soap and water and seek medical attention.
• Eyes - Immediately flush eyes with water for at least 20 minutes and seek prompt medical attention.
• Inhalation - Immediately move victim to fresh air and seek medical attention.
• Physical trauma, e.g. burns, abrasions, or impact due to premature ignition or deployment of the inflator assembly - Treat symptomatically and seek prompt medical attention.

Safety Procedures

Handling Deployed (Fired) Modules

See 'Emergency First Aid Procedures'

Prevent contact of the inflator with liquids, combustibles and flammable materials. Failure to follow these instructions could result in chemical burns and personal injury.

Ensure that the modules are cool before handling.

After deployment, the airbag surface contains small deposits of sodium hydroxide which can cause irritation to the skin and eyes.

When handling deployed airbags, always wear rubber gloves to BS 1651 grade 2 or equivalent, and chemical resistant goggles to BS 2092 grade 2 or equivalent.

After handling deployed airbags, immediately wash hands and exposed skin surface areas with mild soap and water.

Handling Undeployed Damaged Modules

The material inside the module is hermetically sealed and is completely consumed during deployment.

No attempt should be made to open the module as this leads to a risk of exposure to sodium azide.

In the unlikely event of a gas generator being damaged, it must be examined by trained personnel before any attempt is made to remove and/or deploy.

Full protective clothing must be worn when dealing with any spillage.

Ruptured units must be stored away from acids, halogens, heavy metals and metal salts. Damaged units may produce hydrazoic acid if exposed to liquids.

Failure to comply with these instructions may result in fire, noxious fumes and severe personal injury or death.

Fire Hazard Information

Thermal decomposition or combustion may produce dense smoke and other dangerous fumes which in fire situations form a highly toxic explosive.

In the event of a fire, the surrounding area must be evacuated and all personnel kept well upwind of the area.

Full firefighting protective gear and a self contained breathing apparatus operating in positive pressure mode must be worn for combating fire. Material near the fire must be cooled with water spray to prevent ignition.

Fires should be allowed to burn themselves out if not threatening to life or property. If fire is threatening to life or property, use copious quantities of water to extinguish.

Ventilation

Local exhaust ventilation designed by a professional engineer should be provided if vapours, fumes or dusts are generated whilst working with the airbag module.

Respiratory Precautions

To prevent the inhalation of dangerous fumes and dusts, an approved mask should be worn.