Picking the right bulletproof helmet can seem like a daunting job, with a multitude of bulletproof helmet brands on the market vying to provide you with the best and most durable bulletproof helmet.
However, because this relates to the most important part of the body being covered, you need to make an informed buying decision. Research reveals that only 9 percent of the body area exposed during battle is near the head, but over 20 percent of all the hits are still in this region.
So, if you want to purchase a helmet that can withstand bullets effectively, you need to know more about bulletproof helmets, bulletproof helmet styles, their pros and cons, and much more. For a lot more of useful knowledge that is coming your way, keep reading.
What is a bulletproof helmet?
A bulletproof helmet, also known as a ballistic helmet protects the wearer’s head from impacts from bullets, shrapnel and other fast-moving projectiles. Although, realistically there is nothing completely “bulletproof”, or built to shield you against each and every bullet that comes your way; the bulletproof helmet is simply put – resistant to bullets.
Before you buy a new bulletproof helmet, It is important to understand that none of the bulletproof armor is “100 percent impenetrable”. So, don’t go blindly looking for a bulletproof helmet, hoping it will shield you from all sorts of guns and ammunition.
History of bulletproof helmets
Over the years, bulletproof helmets have developed drastically. In the earlier days, to shield their bodies from weapons, soldiers wore covers made of cloth or leather. The equipment developed over time to become a shield worn for the unit’s prestige among the military.
A new material called Aramid, a heat-resistant, durable fiber with many useful properties, was developed by DuPont in 1960. It was sold under the brand Kevlar, and the term bulletproof became synonymous with that name. To produce Kevlar helmets, the U.S. government repeated the production process of the M1 helmet liner.
The first helmet to exploit Kevlar was the Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops (PASGT). The Modular Integrated Communications Helmet (MICH), designed and developed by the US Special Operations Command, was the replacement for the PASGT. MICH was adopted by the U.S. Army in 2002 and renamed as the Advanced Battle Helmet (ACH).
What is in a bulletproof helmet?
The days of half-retention schemes in bulletproof helmets and nylon webbing are over. Today, most businesses are combining their proprietary padding and suspension systems to come up with the best ballistic helmets.
Some of the new features found in helmets that are bulletproof include:
- Velcro attachments for the modularity of end-users,
- Proper padding to perfectly suit the human head.
- Moisture-absorbing material for bacterial growth reduction.
- Reinforced comfort and protection.
- Retention devises on the back of the helmet: 4-point-chin strap and dial adjustment.
Conclusion
Often, a sniper is a reason behind a headshot. And, there’s no helmet that can really survive a shot from a sniper. However, a Bulletproof helmet saves the day in the case of short-distance bomb blasts by shielding your head from being wounded.
In addition, the ballistic helmet holds the head in place in case of impact trauma if it hits against a vehicle interior during a crash or accident when you are in a vehicle that comes face to face with an IED. As of today, the ACH is the most effective against small arms fragmentation and shooting.