Several pressure cartridges and activation mechanism arrangements are disclosed which are configured to use less manual force to rupture the cartridge than current pressure cartridges and activation mechanisms. According to some embodiments, the activation mechanism requires lower manual activation force by using the pressure in the cartridge to do part of the rupturing work. The cartridge can be filled with compressed gas such as nitrogen and argon, or supercritical fluids such as carbon dioxide, and can be used to propel or operate several types of devices and mechanisms including medical drug auto-injectors, paintball guns, tire emergency inflation kits, and inflatable life vests.
