Starch as fuel in gas generating compositions

A pyrotechnic composition for use in providing a generating gas to inflate an inflatable device, said composition comrpising:

• (a) about 45 l to 50 weight percent of an inorganic oxidizer;
• (b) about 8 to 13 weight percent of starch having a particle size of about 4 to 30 microns;
• (c) about 35 to 45 weight percent of a coolant selected from the group consisting of calcium hydroxide, magnesium chloride, calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate;
• (d) about 1 to 2 weight percent of an oxygen-containing polymeric compound selected from the group consisting of polyacetal resins and polyvinyl acetate resins;
• and
• (e) about 0 to 1 weight percent of carbon black.