ABSTRACT

Head injury is common in all aircraft accidents. Head protection can improve survivability by preventing severe head trauma and by limiting disturbances of consciousness, permitting aircrew to escape from a crashed aircraft. Head injuries can be classified into three categories: skull fractures, focal brain injuries and diffuse brain injuries. Head impact acceleration often made up of linear and rotational components. A helmet protects the head by distributing the impact load to reduce soft-tissue injury and prevent deformations of the skull. Head injuries encountered in aviation can be classified as skull fractures, focal brain injuries and diffuse brain injuries. These injury types result from static and dynamic mechanical loading. Dynamic loading is characterised by a rapid input to the head and can be of two types: impulsive loading and impact loading. Level of head protection provided by helmets is determined by helmet construction, liner/suspension characteristics, sizing and accessory attachment features.