Air bag module with pressure regulator

A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable device (12) and an inflator (14) having a housing (20). The inflator (14) is actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable device (14). The housing (20) has a fluid flow area (52, 55) for directing flow of inflation fluid out of the housing to the inflatable device (12). The apparatus (10) also comprises a retainer (16) for retaining the protection device (12) in position relative to the housing (20). The retainer (16) has a portion (274, 282) at least partially blocking the fluid flow area (52, 55) when the inflator (14) is unactuated. The retainer portion (274, 282) moves due to the pressure of inflation fluid acting on the retainer portion (274, 282) upon actuation of the inflator (14) to increase the fluid flow area (52, 55).