PPE: suspended helmets vs. cushioned helmets

Uniform military armored helmet 6b47

Despite the quite modern look of the 6b47 helmet, the presence of a mount for a night vision device and straps for accessories, this product has a “zest”. It is called a sub-thumb device or, in the common people, a “suspension”.

The under-shoulder device appeared in 1940 on the SSH-40, fastened with 6 rivets and consisted of three parts - "petals" made of leatherette, artificial leather or fabric, which are connected in the upper part of the helmet with a cord for adjusting (fitting) the SSH for ease of wearing. On the inside of each petal is a shock-absorbing cotton pad.

In a modern helmet, the system is clearly more advanced, and here are the instructions for it:

According to the instructions, the helmet must be adjusted in height, according to the size of the head, and the tension of the outer belt must also be adjusted. Everything is regulated as follows:

I really like paragraph 2.2.1.6, especially regarding the adjustment of the suspension when worn with a gas mask. Standard No. 1 for RKhBZ, that is, putting on a gas mask, is equal to 7 seconds for an excellent rating. It turns out that if you put on a gas mask and do not make changes to the suspension system, the helmet will not properly perform its function. More precisely, there will be a helmet, he doesn’t care if his head is in a gas mask or in headphones. But the under-the-shoulder system, which should dampen the impact from hitting the helmet with something, will already become ineffective and will not meet the stated requirements.

It is curious that in the instructions from 2017 there is no data at all about what energy the body transmits to the head of the wearer or what the suspension system absorbs, but the GOST of the steel ball is indicated, from which the helmet will protect 100%.

The issue of transferring energy to the body is acute, for example, in motorsport, where they fall and fight regularly, and this is not considered an accident. Mandatory certification for motorcycle helmets in Europe has existed since 1982, and according to it, the helmet must not only withstand an impact, but also absorb most of the energy of this impact. What's with the motorcycles? Yes, despite the fact that in foreign helmets there are pillows that are engaged in the absorption of energy.

Someone somewhere says that the requirements for our suspension are such that when it hits the helmet, its body should not touch the wearer's head, but 6b47 is protection according to Br1, and how the suspension should absorb the ricochet energy from a rifle cartridge is not clear to me . But it is clear that the probability of catching such a rebound cannot be neglected.

MIC

Since there is no task to compare exactly the protective properties of helmets, I will not go into details. MICH was developed in 1997 in the USA and has been in operation since 2001. It is slightly heavier than the 6b47, slightly more armored, but the main difference lies in the suspension system. MICH helmets are equipped with a four-point fixation system on the head and 7 pads - analogues of the CAP in a bulletproof vest.

Adjustment of the suspension system is carried out by tightening or loosening the straps with little or no need to remove the helmet from the head. Quick removal is possible thanks to the fastex fastener. The main disadvantage of this system is the cheapness of materials, which caused the rubber bands to become unusable, and the lines were regularly twisted due to lack of rigidity.

The cushions are attached with Velcro and are available in two sizes, which, together with the selection of the size of the helmet, allows you to achieve an excellent fit on your head. In addition, the user can adjust the location of the pillows inside the helmet, with the exception of the central one. It is forbidden to remove the central pillow, but this item is often neglected in order to make it more convenient to wear a helmet with a headphone rim. One of the critical disadvantages of pillows is that they freeze in the cold and become very hard.

But it was before, and now you can choose a set of suspension and pillows to your liking with any filler.

Ops-Core went further and began to produce a whole complex of ACH Occ-Dial Liner Kit.

In addition to improved fixation of the helmet on the head, ventilation and ease of adjustment of the lines, the central pillow was divided into two parts, for the convenience of using headphones, and the front frontal pillow took over part of its protection functions. In addition, with such a front pillow it is more convenient to carry night vision devices.

Of course, this is not the only suspension option. In addition to Ops-Core, Skydex, MSA, Oregon Aero, Team Wendy and others release their options.

Conclusions

Despite the enthusiastic reviews of the Geneva ballistic laboratory of the DuPont European Technical Center about 6b47, which carried out their tests of the helmet, there are a lot of instructions on the Internet on replacing the native harness with a similar MICH, and some craftsmen even saw off the ear protection to be able to use their active headphones.

It makes no sense to give any characterization to those who do this, because in this whole picture one fact is important: they modify the helmet to suit their tasks. Why do you have to do it? Because there is no suitable analogue.

Yes, as conceived by the developers, the 6b47 helmet is a combined-arms helmet and does not imply any special operations in it, which is already ridiculous in the current realities. However, despite the fact that the fighters are divided according to the VUS, they are all equipped unitarily, according to the concept of the Ratnik series. Such little attention, and sometimes complete neglect, to the convenience of an ordinary soldier leads to the fact that he either neglects the manufacturer's recommendations or buys his own. This then has to be taken away, because it’s not supposed to, but this is already a completely different story...

Comments

[Trunk]

In the cutaway shot of the pads, the bottom two look like dishwashing sponges. Conversion and practicality)

[dv_generalov]

And why are they worse? Rationalization has not been canceled. Gaskets, not anatomical insoles from sneakers - the fighters lay down. Yes, and socks, too, will not live long in our reality. It is clear that we will not walk in bast shoes, but how European countries also lied ... The climate and mentality are different

[free]

The easiest way, not to fasten the straps on the chin, to wear like soldiers in the films of the Second World War, Soviet and American soldiers ran into the attack with dangling straps, saves from fractures of the cervical vertebrae when a bullet hits the front, the helmet just flies off the head. I also saw how mich helmets are worn by tightening the straps on the back of the head (like on roller helmets), and the chin strap is either removed or dangling. But in general, with pillows, it is more comfortable to sit on your head, this is a fact.

[firemann]

Have you tried running with your helmet on? I don’t know about the American one, but the Soviet helmet refuses to stay on the head if the strap is not fastened

[Vladimir Vladimirovich Vorontsov]

Helmets on suspension vs helmets on cushions

***
- Stunned!...
***

[fiv]

I believe that in helmets on pillows, when putting on a gas mask, you also need to make adjustments. I read the instructions, tinkered for half a day - I forever got the skill of quick adjustment. What is the problem?

[Mikhail3]

Did you read carefully? Usually a fighter runs without a gas mask. But sometimes there is a need to urgently put on a gas mask. The standard is 7 seconds. That is, in 7 seconds it is necessary not only to have time to get and put on a gas mask, but also to rebuild the suspension. Do the skills you have acquired allow you to meet this standard?)

[lucul]

Did you read carefully? Usually a fighter runs without a gas mask. But sometimes there is a need to urgently put on a gas mask. The standard is 7 seconds. That is, in 7 seconds it is necessary not only to have time to get and put on a gas mask, but also to rebuild the suspension. Do the skills you have acquired allow you to meet this standard?)

The main thing in this matter is to have time to put on a gas mask in 7 seconds, and already further, you will have enough time to adjust the helmet under the gas mask.

[fiv]

The standard for putting on a gas mask on the command "Gases!" - this is the time to put on the gas mask. And that's all. Further, at least until lights out, adjust the suspension of the helmet, if the commander or the situation allows. There is no standard for this.

[Blacksmith 55]

Different countries have different situations and climate.
During the service, I noticed that the helmet was made for summer use.
He could not be put on a hat with earflaps, or his head was so compressed that it was simply inconvenient to wear it.
But he must protect his head at any time of the year.
Maybe there is something new for the winter?

[Terrible ensign]

ShPS - cap balaclava special. It is made from single or double layer jersey. Summer from cotton, acetate and nylon; winter - wool, acetate, acrylic.

[saygon66]

They simply loosened the adjusting laces of the underbody device ... The cotton padding of the cap played the role of a shock absorber,

[dv_generalov]

In the absence of practice from the author, hence the questions

[Mikhail3]

No conclusions can be drawn here. We need the results of full-scale tests, since it is not a problem to obtain a handful of ferroelectric sensors, and the rest of the measurement system, with output to computer programs, can be molded from ready-made parts and programs. It would be very interesting to see if we have something similar at all.

[Vincent price]

Why are you clinging to the standard of 7 seconds? Who needs it now? With such love to regulate, describe, standardize everything, in the 21st century we run with Kalashmats, the standard for incomplete analysis is the same! While the Yankees are moving forward, we are all tugging at charters, standards and traditions)

[Mikhail3]

Do you think poisonous substances are no longer relevant? What a wonderful leap into the future)) You are just great, so modern and creative. The truth is that plastics are around you. You know, such material is used in construction, in clothing, in the manufacture of condoms ... well, in so many places. So.
When burned, plastics emit such toxic smoke that you will pass out after one full breath, or three or four incomplete breaths. And after the second full breath, you will die. In the conditions of urban development, a little haze from burning foam, and that's it. Even if you stay alive, that is, if you inhale such smoke in small portions, your health will be irreversibly undermined. Such is the story, such a bright future has come.

[Vincent price]

While our generals are afraid of hypothetical smoke from plastic, NATO is fighting in comfortable helmets that really save the lives of fighters. You just confirmed my thesis, endless *** on charters and no reference to harsh reality). A hackneyed story about UAVs that cannot pass acceptance due to the impossible requirements of the Moscow Region, doesn’t tell you anything?)

[Mikhail3]

In "Winter Cherry" dozens of people died from hypothetical smoke. And they die every day in other fires. just no fanfare. Try to start thinking. At least hypothetically.

[Vincent price]

Apparently you go to the club and the restaurant in a gas mask? In the winter cherry, they got burned. What does winter cherry have to do with outdated helmet design? Try to start thinking.

[Mikhail3]

Young man) Burned out, this is a masterpiece)

[ratcatcher]

In "Winter Cherry" died from carbon monoxide. From which only an insulating gas mask saves. Firefighters use them. The example is unsuccessful.
Filtering gas mask only from OV.

[Glory1974]

In "Winter Cherry" died from carbon monoxide.

they died from phosgene, a poisonous gas released when certain types of plastic are burned. I agree about carbon monoxide, a gas mask does not protect against it.

[Alexey RA]

Quote: Mikhail3

The truth is that plastics are around you. You know, such material is used in construction, in clothing, in the manufacture of condoms ... well, in so many places.

And also in finishing, thermal insulation and sealing. Moreover, slow-burning and non-combustible plastic is only up to some limits. EM Sheffield will confirm - there the smoke from the burning plastic drove the team out of the interior and multiplied the entire BZZH by zero due to the complete lack of visibility.

[Mikhail3]

According to modern standards, a fire alarm system should open windows and turn on ventilation to the maximum in order to remove smoke at any cost. Since the growth of a fiery hearth is far from being as dangerous as the smoke of burning plastic. Alas, window drives are very expensive, they try to make fire ventilation, but often they only pretend. Because it's very cheap.
In military conditions, there will be no power supply to buildings, the alarm will be turned off) I got into a more or less whole room, where smoke from plastic thermal insulation pulls up - you don’t have to shoot back. Still consider dead. A gas mask in urban areas is needed like cartridges ...

[KVIRTU]

All this is true.
Well, here I am in the first stage of the reserve, heeded your advice.
Asked the price. PMK-4 10 thousand, try to buy more.
The filter to it, like hopkalite, from CO, 2500.
Enough for 40 minutes.

[saygon66]

Yes! And to him a whole set of filters ... From smoke to ammonia. There is no universal...

[Glory1974]

According to modern standards, a fire alarm system should open windows and turn on ventilation to the maximum in order to remove smoke at any cost.

This is the first time I hear about windows. It is a very controversial decision to open windows in case of fire. Smoke removal systems exist and even operate in many facilities.

[SincerityX]

The author to study the materiel regarding biological agents, toxic substances. And also very carefully study the section of filter types and their use against different substances.

PS> a gas mask is not a panacea, for your information, a gas mask will not protect you from such a banal thing as carbon monoxide. Those. in a fire, you will not smell burning and smoke in a gas mask, but you will quickly die of eel, because CO bypasses the filters. Firefighters therefore use closed air circulation systems, in the common people "rebreather".

[Storog dvornik]

... Firefighters therefore use closed air circulation systems ...
Firefighters set fires...
Firefighters put out...

[utlyakov]

this is a very old dispute
True, in the USSR they issued the “Excellent Firefighter” badge for 26 years - and no one complained
difference between firefighter/firefighter - more for internal consumption among "extinguished"
if anything - the uncle, deputy head of the Scientific and Production Center of the Fire Department of Belarus - also really doesn’t like it when they call him a firefighter. Or when I troll him with the fact that during his military service in the Higher Professional Academy - he had a chance to receive the above-mentioned badge

[dv_generalov]

Well, a rebreather is not common people ... And firefighters are usually those who are on fire. Who extinguishes and eliminates the fire - Firefighters

[dv_generalov]

Vincent disagrees. Standards are needed for skill and knowledge. But when it is driven into absurdity, then ... The result that you described

[mmaxx]

In general, you are right. But about 7 seconds in vain.

[FoBoss_V]

In terms of clothing, footwear and equipment for the military, of course, we are not just trailing behind the leading armies of the world, but even closer to the ass, I would say

[fiv]

Geometrically, the tail is further from the head than the bum. So being in the ass is better than being in the tail

[FoBoss_V]

Words do not help the cause of fornication ... This does not make it easier for the men on the front

[SaLaR]

Quote: FoBoss_V

In terms of clothing, footwear and equipment for the military, of course, we are not just trailing behind the leading armies of the world, but even closer to the ass, I would say

Well, you are slandering my friend .... but what about the "Warrior"? "Centurion"? they say there will be a Legionnaire soon unparalleled... ... and you are talking nonsense on the second Army of the World, and maybe even the first...

[Zadok]

yes, come on. I figured it out, for 150 - 200 thousand you can buy normal equipment. from helmets and armor to shorts and socks. I bought my uniform and shoes from chests in warehouses on an urgent basis (end of XaHa century)

[_The Wanderer_]

On the basis of instructions and appearance to draw conclusions? I dragged a steel helmet, I can say about the minuses for sure. But according to the new one - only full-scale tests. User reviews. Also in American, practical application. So I used some things of American equipment - they are very comfortable, and you look at some and think - why the heck is a button accordion for a goat?

[agond]

The suspension in a helmet transfers the impact to a larger surface area of ​​the head (1.5-2 times) than any pillow, and the fact that ventilation under a helmet with a suspension is better than under a helmet with pillows is not in dispute at all. Therefore, there are no obvious advantages in pillows

[stankow]

Ventilation is good in summer, but in winter - true meningitis!

[acetophenone]

About ventilation. The area of ​​contact of the pillows is less than the area of ​​the contact leatherette.
About the area of ​​influence. The head is a very strong thing. No wonder they hit her with balls and break bottles. But the neck is not. Foam cushion absorbs impact energy while wrinkling. And the suspension transmits completely.

[micromajor]

Yes it is. If you do not take into account that the helmet lives its own "separate life" when you turn your head. And you have to twist .. Checked.

[micromajor]

hanging helmet, I beg your pardon.
,, The text of your comment is too short and, according to the site administration, does not contain useful information. ,, hmm .. 1984?

[Eug]

But - we need a quick adjustment system and the ability to use it, as fiv wrote about.

[mmaxx]

The most interesting thing is that if an American is not satisfied with any item of equipment, he can buy another one for himself. To your taste. For our superiors, this is a disaster of discipline. Don't even dare to have non-military socks and shorts. And in the cold to pry warm from the house ... it's almost a riot.

[certero]

How many comments asking how you helped the front.
gentlemen, comrades, Russia spent a hefty part of the budget on the armed forces, gentlemen, the military received all possible goodies, starting from retirement at a fairly young age and ending with receiving apartments.
and now when the authorities started a war that we don’t need for some reason, the whole country should help again?
For those taxes that the Russian state paid, the plane probably won’t work, but a couple of tanks can definitely be built.

[meandr51]

If you give a butt to a helmet with a suspension system, then there will be an interesting effect: the skull will be preserved, but the concussion is guaranteed. Since the whole head twitches at once, as with a boxing blow from the side to the jaw. Pillows are better.

[meandr51]

Quote: agond

The suspension in a helmet transfers the impact to a larger surface area of ​​the head (1.5-2 times) than any pillow, and the fact that ventilation under a helmet with a suspension is better than under a helmet with pillows is not in dispute at all. Therefore, there are no obvious advantages in pillows

You just didn't get hit on the helmet with something heavy. You are much more stunned than from a punch to the head. The suspension does not absorb. He jerks his whole head at once, causing a concussion. Therefore, smart people use pillows that act only on part of the head and dampen the impact energy.

[stankow]

In winter, the pillows should be removed and the helmet should be worn over a thick knitted hat. And still need a barmitsa. Yes ! For protection from splinters, in winter from the wind, in summer from the sun, drinking, mosquitoes. From a knife behind at night - too. Ancestors experimented for 2000 years, found the optimum. And today - well, mass scale, reduce the cost, design in 3d. And no suspensions are needed. The aventail pulls the helmet down. And then there is little joy in pressing and grinding the jaw. You can't scream, you can't breathe. I'm talking about the massive helmet. Special forces, even if they put a pagoda on their heads, etc.

[ada]

... It is curious that in the instructions from 2017 there is no data at all about what energy the body transmits to the wearer's head or what the suspension system absorbs, but the GOST of a steel ball is indicated, from which the helmet will protect 100%. ..

Chavotaya did not understand. Energy is such a thing, ephemeral. I imagine the mechanics of the process in such a way that the impulse given to the system - "helmet - suspension (pillow) - head, connected by a limitedly movable joint with the rest of the mortal body" by the striking (acting) element, is vectorially transmitted from the point of application on the helmet to everything previously indicated and only significant perceiving masses in this system (a helmet, a head with a tied torso and other things dangling on it, a wall behind) can extinguish it by making some movement in space - work, and everything else (inferior to the damaging element of the fabric or crushed material of the helmet, elongated suspensions and crushable pillows) only distribute the impulse over time, over the area and direction of impact, that is, without having a significant mass, they perform only a shock-absorbing function - little work and can absorb little. In fact, the stronger, more viscous, layered, thicker and heavier (more massive) the helmet and the farther the surface of the head with the separation of the shock absorber is from it, the more "comfortable" its owner is to resist the ball - the average fragment. Or did I miss?
Yes, you can't turn your head with a cast-iron "lampshade".

[Eule]

Due to the mutilated spine, he did not wear a helmet - he was not fit for urgent, "B".
But a bicycle helmet is a familiar thing for me, since walking with a sore back is hard, and a bag in one hand is generally terrible. Was in two accidents, with a helmet on his head.
The first one was that the helmet just sprayed a third from hitting the side of the car, which skidded, because I have spikes, and he is in the summer, November 2005 .. No head injury, bruised side, damaged steering wheel, loss of mirror and headlights.
The second - a sharp start of the driver from the arch of the house, a silent hybrid with electric traction, attacked from the right. A dent in a helmet the size of a fist, a rucksack is torn, a bruise in the hip, arms, but the bones are intact. (I do not remember the year, summer)
So the shock-absorbing foam - taxis.

[Eug]

I dare to suggest such an option - four (five, six - the number is not important), rollers, tightly stuffed with silicone (insulation for jackets) or something similar. The rollers are the sides of the square under the "top" of the helmet, connected by a cord. By adjusting (from the top of the helmet to its edge) the distance at which the rollers are located by the length of the cord, we find the desired fit "on the head". Something like ribs on a tank or airborne winter helmet.

[agond]

Quote: meandr51

You just didn't get hit on the helmet with something heavy. You are much more stunned than from a punch to the head. The suspension does not absorb. He jerks his whole head at once, causing a concussion. Therefore, smart people use pillows that act only on part of the head and dampen the impact energy.

In any helmet with a suspension or pillows, you can get a serious injury to the cervical vertebrae and the helmet itself will not be pierced, in order to weaken the effect of shaking the helmet and its contents, you need to supplement its design, for example, a multi-hinged bracket is attached from the back to the top of the cuirass (armor) and to the helmet ( in the area of ​​​​the base of the skull), he takes on the weight of the helmet in the process of wearing it and at the same time allows you to turn your head, but most importantly, it limits its mobility at the moment a fragment or something else hits the helmet. extinguishes the impulse, that is, the concussion is transmitted along the bracket to the cuirass and further to the body of the fighter.

[Dinar]

In general, everything is described correctly .. only Americans and Europeans have not participated in battles like in Ukraine for a long time. Do they also have unified protection, or am I wrong? They have experience in other wars and they also do not take into account many nuances .. just for an objective judgment, if anything!

[Altmann]

This is the first concern for the comfort and life of a soldier, as much as I love reading the article and the discussion, I cannot participate because I was wearing an old Soviet can, it was heavy, and I still have a problem with the cervical region. spine. But other than that, it was a floral helmet. We've done endurance testing. She was great

[BSD Fan]

What can I tell you, I was issued a MICH helmet (we, as volunteers, are equipped with "humanitarian aid", right now I have installed a new under-the-shoulder cap on the exchanged 6b47 and I will tell you this is a pleasure! My ears are finally resting, the pads in the old one are separate and very a debatable question, as for me, the podcap, as for me, will better protect against a barrier from a bullet hit (yes, I know that it doesn’t hold, but at the end it’s quite a defense, but a barrier from a bullet at the end will give itself quite a skull ...)

[utlyakov]

will the military budget be able to support the entire army with LSh3 1+? and yet for the fact that being rich and healthy is better than being poor and sick - but alas, you have to operate with harsh reality, and not wishful thinking
Well
great mighty Russian language (c) A. Ivanov
ricochet from a rifle cartridge
why here from?
they are all equipped unitarily
unitary is a charge in tank forces or artillery - but here it is unified. do not distort the terminology