Abstract: A protective material and a method for the protection of the human head or body from soft tissue damage caused by an impacting object comprises at least two layers of viscoelastic polymeric material to be interposed between head or body and impactor, including at least one first layer of material substantially matched in acoustic impedance to the impacting object and at least one second layer of material selected to produce a large mismatch in acoustic impedance between the first layer and the human head or body. A particular aspect applies the invention to head protection, especially in boxing and like sports, in the form of boxing head guards and boxing gloves.

Abstract: An article of protective clothing designed for protection against blast has first sheet (11) of solid material backed by a second sheet (12) of pneumatic material. The physical properties and dimensions of the two sheet (11, 12) being such that an acoustic decoupling effect is provided which greatly reduces the pressure wave effect on the body of a person wearing the clothing. The first sheet (11) might by of GRP. 9 mm thick with an areal density of 20 kg/square meter and a second sheet (12) of pneumatic material having a nominal thickness of 20 mm. 94% air content and a density of 45 kg cubic meter.