Abstract: A hand protection system for use by individuals involved in de-mining operations to locate and identify buried anti-personnel mines is designed to provide a degree of protection to the hands of the operative while still enabling the hands to perform necessary operations such as manipulating a probe rod, clearing soil by use of the fingers, etc. In one form the hand protector is a trough-shaped shield which tapers to a rounded forward end and is adapted to fit over the back of the hand of the user, the shield being open on its underside so that the user's fingers can be manipulated. In another form the hand protecting shield is of conical shape having a hole through its narrow end through which a probe can be extended and manipulated by a hand received within the protector. The protector includes laminated layers of aramid fibers together with other tough blast resistant materials such as polycabonate.

Abstract: A protective system for shielding the head and neck regions of an operative from the blast effects of exploding munitions comprises a helmet with a visor which is inwardly curved rearwardly at its lower end and interacts with a double collar arrangement of a protective suit to provide enhanced protection to the neck region of the operative.

Abstract: A fire fighter's coat in which the forearm portion of each sleeve is inclined forwardly with respect to the upper arm portion when the sleeve is in a relaxed position, thereby to provide a natural forward set to the sleeve which serves to substantially reduce the resistance offered by the sleeve to movement of the fire fighter's arms to a position required to enable the wearer to bring his hands together to grasp an object located in front of the coat.

Abstract: A fireman's coat of the type which has an outer shell and a detachable liner for the outer shell and side pockets formed in opposite sides of the outer shell also has visible indicator patches on each side in close proximity to the open end of each pocket. The indicator patches have a sufficient extent to be clearly visible from the front, back and sides of the outer coat when the coat is worn by a fireman in use. A narrow opening is formed in each side of the outer shell in close proximity to the open end of each pocket. A pocket flap is attached to each side of the liner so that it can extend through one of the narrow openings formed in the sides of the outer shell. Velcro fasteners are provided for securing each pocket flap in an outwardly overlying relationship with respect to the outer shell to close the open end of its associated pocket and to overlie and obscure the visible indicator patches associated therewith to clearly indicate that the liner is located in the outer shell in use.