Efficacy of Countermeasures Against Traumatic Brain Injuries Sustained in Airborne Operations
Abstract
Airborne operations regularly expose paratroopers to risk of head impact. Even relatively mild head impacts, while not life threatening, can cause short-term impairment from dizziness, headaches, memory loss, lack of ability to concentrate, and irritation. These symptoms jeopardize soldier survivability and mission success. There is an obvious need to protect the soldier in these environments and reduce the head injury rate to a minimum. The objectives of this research program are as follows: (a) propose helmet configurations that will protect paratroopers from blunt head injury, and (b) assess the best of these in a field study in the operational airborne environment. In Phase I, two helmet configurations were identified that improved blunt impact protection compared to the standard airborne troop helmet configuration, and were otherwise acceptable for airborne use. The research protocol for the Phase II cohort study, which is to assess the effect of improved impact protection on jump-related head injury rates, has been approved and preparations are complete. Subject recruitment is proceeding at a slow rate due to unit deployments. No results are available yet.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA419484
Entities
People
- John S. Crowley