Abstract: An apparatus for attenuating shock loads includes a flexible, non-rigid outer impervious envelope. The envelope is formed from a high strain resistance material. An inner, pervious baffle extends across the envelope between the first and second sides. The inner baffle is also a flexible, non-rigid material of high strain resistance. The envelope is inflated with gas at a superatmospheric pressure. An impact on one side of the structure will compress that side, increasing the pressure of the gas between that side and the baffle. The gas will then flow through the pervious baffle to the other side, dissipating energy, spreading the load over the second side of the envelope and causing a time delay in the build-up of pressure on the second side. In preferred embodiments of the invention, there are plural, parallel baffles in the envelope to provide a multi-stage energy dissipation.