2001 Honda Odyssey Owner's Manual - Page 54

Additional Information About Your SRS During a crash, your seat belt helps restrain your lower body and torso, while the tensioner tightens and locks the seat belt to help keep you in place. Your airbag provides a cushion to help restrain and protect your head and chest. Since both airbags use the same sensors, both airbags normally inflate at the same time. However, it is possible for only one airbag to inflate. This can occur when the severity of a collision is at the margin, or threshold, that determines whether or not the airbags will deploy. In such cases, the seat belt will provide sufficient protection, and the supplemental protection offered by the airbag would be minimal. After inflating, the airbags immediately deflate, so they won't interfere with the driver's visibility, or the ability to steer or operate other controls. The total time for inflation and deflation is approximately one-tenth of a second, so fast that most occupants are not aware that the airbags deployed until they see them lying in their laps. After a crash, you may see what looks like smoke. This is actually powder from the airbag's surface. Although the powder is not harmful, people with respiratory problems may experience some temporary discomfort. If this occurs, get out of the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. U.S. Owners For additional information on how your airbags work, see the booklet titled SRS: What You Need to Know About Airbags that came with your owner's manual. Canadian Owners For additional information on how your airbags work, ask your dealer for a copy of the booklet titled SRS: What You Need to Know About Airbags. Driver and Passenger Safety