Accession Number:

ADA005575

Title:

A Method for Soft Body Armor Evaluation: Medical Assessment

Descriptive Note:

Technical rept. Jul 1973-Jun 1974

Corporate Author:

EDGEWOOD ARSENAL ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND MD

Personal Author(s):

• Goldfarb, Michael A.
• Ciurej, Terrence F.
• Weinstein, Michael A.
• Metker, LeRoy W.

Report Date:

1975-01-01

Pagination or Media Count:

32.0

Abstract:

As part of a project to evaluate the protection afforded by soft body armor using goats, the authors tested the validity of certain assumptions concerning the extrapolation of damage to the goat to damage to a human. Much of this report concerns the goat-human correlation. The consequences of an impact of a .38 caliber bullet traveling at a velocity of 800 feet per second fps when the area of impact was covered with a 7-ply Kevlar protective garment were studied in the goat. The blunt trauma experienced was correlated with expected damage if a human had been the target. It was concluded that without the garment, the mortality after a random hit with a .38 caliber bullet is between 6.9 to 25.4. If the garment is worn, the mortality is decreased to 1 to 5. The chance of surgery being needed when the armor is not worn is 81.5 to 100 and when the armor is worn is 7 to 10.

Descriptors:

• *PROTECTIVE COVERINGS
• *BODY ARMOR
• HUMANS
• PROJECTILES
• WOUNDS AND INJURIES
• CORRELATION TECHNIQUES
• GOATS
• ORGANS(ANATOMY)

Subject Categories:

• Weapons Effects (Biological)
• Protective Equipment

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE