What is the recommended action if the driver's side air bag has deployed during a vehicle collision?

When the driver's side air bag has deployed during a vehicle collision, the recommended action is to lift the air bag and inspect the steering wheel for damage. This approach is vital for ensuring the safety of everyone involved in the vehicle incident. Once the air bag has deployed, it is essential to assess whether there is any significant damage to the steering wheel or the surrounding areas that could affect vehicle operation or pose a danger to the occupant.

Inspecting the steering wheel helps to determine if there are any sharp edges, obstructions, or other hazards that may present risks to the driver or rescuers. It also allows for an evaluation of the deployment area to ensure that there are no further hidden dangers like undeployed secondary air bags or components that may become hazardous during extrication.

The other options, while they may seem practical, do not address the critical need to assess the immediate environment for safety. Cutting away the air bag, for instance, can create confusion and potentially expose individuals to residual dangers from the air bag's deployment mechanism. Ventilating the vehicle is not an immediate concern since proper assessment and stabilization take precedence. Similarly, striking the front bumper to check for another deployed air bag is unnecessary and could risk further injury or damage.