A vehicle safety seat system (160) includes a contoured vehicle seat bottom and a foam layer (110) disposed over the supporting vehicle seat bottom (130) and supported by the supporting vehicle seat bottom (13). The foam layer has a rate sensitive compression characteristic. The rate sensitive compression characteristic is a compressive response to a slow application and a rigid response to a rapid application of force. To adapt an existing seat bucket to the desired configuration, a rigid foam layer may be molded within the supporting vehicle seat bottom (130). This rigid foam layer is contoured and disposed at an angle with respect to the horizontal. Seat belts (166) having a pretensioner device (170) are also provided. The pretensioner device (170) is controlled according to both a frontal crash sensor and a vehicle off ground control system to couple occupant to the seat bottom prior to a wheels first landing.
