If an airbag has not deployed during a crash, what hazard may it pose?

• A. Hazard only to occupants
• B. Hazard to both occupant and rescue personnel
• C. No hazard
• D. Hazard to others outside car

Answer: (D)

An airbag that did not deploy can still pose a hazard because the inflator and its explosive charge are still energized. If rescue work disturbs the airbag area—such as cutting, prying, or moving components near the dash or doors—the system can deploy unexpectedly. When it does, it can eject debris and a blast of inflating gas outward, potentially injuring people outside the vehicle or those nearby the exterior of the car. So, the risk isn’t limited to occupants inside; bystanders and responders standing near the exterior of the vehicle can be harmed by sudden deployment or shrapnel.

In practice, responders keep a safe distance from suspected airbag locations, avoid striking or applying pressure to the dashboard where an undeployed bag sits, and follow proper de-energizing procedures to mitigate the chance of accidental deployment during extrication. This broader exterior risk is why the hazard is described as affecting others outside the car, not just those inside.