A dual stage air bag suppression system based upon seat position. A deceleration sensor senses the deceleration of the vehicle during a crash/collision. If the deceleration exceeds a first threshold value, and the seat is rearward of a predetermined value, then the SIR Controller initiates a first/low stage inflation. If the deceleration exceeds a second higher threshold value, and the seat is rearward of a predetermined value, then the SIR Controller initiates both first/low and second/high stages of inflation. If the seat is positioned at a point forward of a predetermined position, then the SIR Controller initiates the first/low stage inflation only when the deceleration exceeds the first/lower or second/higher threshold value and suppresses deployment of the second stage. Thus the SIR Controller initiates the inflation stages not only based on the severity of the collision or deceleration, but also based on the position of the vehicle seat.