Abstract: A bomb disposal suit includes a jacket, trousers, and a back protector connected between the jacket and the trousers. The back protector includes a body of impact resistant material having a plenum with an intake opening to receive forced air and with outlet openings to direct forced air out of the plenum. A fan forces air into the intake opening. The back protector can transmit load vertically from the jacket to the trousers, for example, via a back plate.

Abstract: A cutting tool for cutting a workpiece such as a rope or a web includes a body defining first and second channels closed by respective first and second movable gates. A first cutting member is at a narrow end of the first channel, and a second cutting member is at a narrow end of the second channel. The body has surface portions adjacent to the second cutting member that are adapted to deform a flat workpiece engaging the second cutting member into a non-flat shape to increase the stiffness of the workpiece as it engages the second cutting member.

Abstract: A bomb disposal suit includes a jacket, trousers, and a back protector connected between the jacket and the trousers. The back protector includes a body of impact resistant material having a plenum with an intake opening to receive forced air and with outlet openings to direct forced air out of the plenum. A fan forces air into the intake opening. The back protector can transmit load vertically from the jacket to the trousers, for example, via a back plate.

Abstract: A blast pressure recording device and method includes at least one first sensor for measuring a parameter indicative of a blast event, at least one comparator in communication with the at least one first sensor for determining whether said parameter indicative of a blast event exceeds a predetermined threshold, at least one second sensor for measuring blast pressure, a power control means providing power to the at least one second sensor only when the predetermined threshold is exceeded, and a controller for receiving and recording blast pressure.

Abstract: Vehicle seats that reduce the potential for injury to occupants when the vehicle is subjected to a mine or similar explosive device. The seats are ceiling or wall mounted and include a trailing arm which allows for deflection while providing stability. The seat isolates the occupants from the chassis of the vehicle via a pneumatic or other shock absorber and/or a crushable element to provide protection from vertical and horizontal oriented blasts. These seats can also be combined with shock absorbing/isolating foot rests, appendage (leg) restrain systems and an occupant four-point harness to offer a completely integrated system. This integrated system reduces acceleration/deceleration related injuries, shock injuries to the lower legs, flailing injuries to the lower legs and internal collision injuries. Other options and alternatives are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus as provided for measuring acceleration of a person's head or other object. The apparatus comprises a sensor for sensing acceleration and a controller for controlling recording of data resulting from the sensed acceleration due to an explosive force. The controller is adapted to determine whether or not to enable recording of the data based on the sensed acceleration. A data receiver is provided to receive the sensed acceleration data from the sensing means, and requires electrical power to enable data to be received thereby. The controller controls electrical power to the receiver so that if the sensed acceleration reaches or exceeds a predetermined value, electrical power to the data receiver is enabled. The recorded acceleration data may be used for injury analysis.

Abstract: A protective garment including a waist portion adapted to be donned proximate the waist of a wearer and first and second leg portions extending from a waist portion to at least proximate a knee portion of the wearer and a tourniquet member attached to an inner surface of at least one of said first and second leg portions.