Energy absorption apparatus for protecting occupants from excessive G-force by absorbing energy during an explosion below the vehicle. A mitigating strip and an anvil are attached by first and second mounting members between the vehicle and the occupant's seat whereby an excessive G-force on the first mounting member bends the mitigating strip and pulls it over the anvil. A portion of gradually increasing resistance to bending is provided between one end of the strip and the portion of constant resistance to bending whereby the mitigating strip increasingly resists bending over the anvil as the portion of gradually increasing resistance is pulled over the anvil until the portion of constant resistance to bending reaches the anvil; the resistance to bending of the mitigating strip will then remain constant as it is pulled over the anvil.