Trauma attenuating backing improves protection against behind armor blunt trauma.

Area of Science:

• Ballistics and Trauma Research
• Protective Equipment Engineering

Background:

• Body armor is crucial for military and law enforcement but may not suffice against high-velocity weapons.
• Complementary Trauma Attenuating Backings (TAB) are proposed to mitigate severe injuries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of Trauma Attenuating Backings (TAB) when used with standard body armor against high-velocity rifle rounds.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-four pigs were protected by body armor, with half also equipped with TAB.
• Subjects were shot with a 7.62-mm assault rifle, and injuries were assessed.
• Morphologic, cardiorespiratory, and physical parameters were recorded.

Main Results:

• Trauma Attenuating Backings (TAB) significantly reduced lung contusion size and prevented hemoptysis.
• Physiological impacts like apnea, desaturation, and hypotension were attenuated with TAB.
• TAB decreased thoracic peak pressures by 91%.

Conclusions:

• Trauma Attenuating Backings (TAB) are recommended as a complement to standard body armor.
• TAB enhances protection against thoracic trauma from high-velocity weapon threats.