An improved deployment control method for a vehicular supplemental restraint system, wherein a deployment threshold is initially established at a predefined level, threshold adjustments are periodically determined in the course of the crash event based on one or more secondary measures of crash severity, and wherein the adjustments are applied to the deployment threshold at a time determined in relation to a predefined level of crash progression. In other words, deployment threshold adjustments are periodically determined based on identified characteristics of the crash signal and accumulated to form a net adjustment value, and the net adjustment value is not put into effect for purposes of deploying the restraints until expiration of a delay time initiated at a predefined level of crash progression. In a preferred implementation of the invention, the net adjustment value is put into effect for purposes of deploying the restraints prior to expiration of the delay time if certain secondary measures indicate that the crash is especially severe.
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