Abstract: A cushion for use in a helmet or body armor to mitigate shock loads (i.e. blasts or blunt impact) against the human body includes a matrix having a plurality of fluid pockets. The fluid pockets themselves are either deformable, or they can be reconfigured (e.g. emptied) and are, therefore, connected in fluid communication with an empty receiver pocket. In the latter case, a vent connects each fluid pocket to at least one receiver pocket, and a valve is imbedded into the vent to control fluid flow through the vent. In either case, when the cushion receives a shock load, fluid in the cushion is transferred to reconfigure the cushion for mitigation of the resultant forces.