A solid propellant gas generator (10) contains a bed of agglomerated or beaded hydrated gelatin (40). The gelatin/water bed (40) is oriented such that at least substantially filtered combustion products are humidified by the water vapor as the filtered combustion products pass over the bed (40). Relative thereto, a method of improving the release and inflation of an airbag (160) of a vehicle occupant protection system is also described. Humidification of at least substantially filtered combustion products results in a reduced pressure requirement to open and inflate a stored airbag (160) in fluid communication with the gas generator (10).
