GMC 1995 Sonoma Owner's Manual page 29

How does an air bag restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions, even belted
occupants can contact the steering wheel. The air bag supplements the
protection provided by safety belts. Air bags distribute the force of the
impact more evenly over the occupant's upper body, stopping the occupant
more gradually. But air bags would not help you in many types of collisions,
including rollovers and rear and side impacts, primarily because an
occupant's motion is not toward the air bag. Air bags should never be
regarded as anything more than a supplement to safety belts, and then only
in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions.
What will you see after an air bag inflates?
After the air bag inflates, it quickly deflates. This occurs so quickly that
some people may not even realize the air bag inflated. Some components of
the air bag module in the steering wheel hub will be hot for a short time, but
the part of the bag that comes into contact with you will not be hot to the
touch. There will be some smoke and dust coming from vents in the deflated
air bag. Air bag inflation will not prevent the driver from seeing or from
being able to steer the vehicle, nor will it stop people from leaving the
vehicle.
A
CAUTION:
When an air bag inflates, there is dust in the air. This dust could
cause breathing problems for people with a history of asthma or
other breathing trouble. To avoid this, everyone in the vehicle
should get out as soon as it is safe to do so. If you have breathing
problems but can't get out of the vehicle after an air bag inflates,
then get fresh air by opening a window or door.
The air bag is designed to inflate only once. After
it
inflates, you'll
need some new parts for your air bag system. If you don't get them, the
air bag system won't be there to help protect you in another crash. A
new system will include the air bag module and possibly other parts.
The service manual for your vehicle covers the need to replace other
parts.
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