Body armors: interests and limits Médecin Principal Nicolas PRAT, MD, PhD Euroballistics European Society for Wound Ballistics Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, France Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, France

MaterialsComposition Stopping mechanism PerformanceInjuries - Penetrating - BABT Bullet proof Jacket

1920’s Infanterie-Panzer Brewster Body Armor Washington, D.C., 1923

Fibers materials Bullet proof JacketCeramic

composition Soft ballistic pack Hard ballistic pack (+/-) Anti-trauma

Bullet proof Jacket Soft pack Shear stress Tensile stress Min. Intérieur/CTSI stopping mechanism

Bullet proof Jacket Soft pack Min. Intérieur/CTSI

Bullet proof Jacket Hard plate (ceramic) stopping mechanism

Stopping power ≠ protective power protection / mobility No stabbing protection performances Bullet proof Jacket

INJURIES The projectile avoids the jacket -Classic penetrating injuries -Anatomical particularities -Modification of the injuries body distribution The projectile goes trough the jacket -Loose of protective qualities -Inadequate protection level -Worsen injuries ? Penetrating injuries 

Injuries Behind Armor Blunt trauma Blunt injuries

Thoracic wall Cardiovascular Pulmonary Wounding effect Behind Armor Blunt Trauma

HDPE Ceramic HDPE Ceramic Thoracic wall Cardiovascular Pulmonary Wounding effect Behind Armor Blunt Trauma

HDPE Ceramic Thoracic wall Cardiovascular Pulmonary Wounding effect Behind Armor Blunt Trauma

CONCLUSIONS Penetrating injuries:Penetrating injuries: –Unquestionable need for bullet proof jacket –Fitting to the threat BABT:BABT: –Potentially lethal in animal research –Quid in human? (need for more data) –Need for medical attention in wounded –Research is ongoing to improve the protective power (anatomical lesions and incapacitation effect) Body armor effectsBody armor effects –Wounds redistribution to the unprotected areas –Interest/Limits = Mobility/Protection –Need for a real observational study