1. 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

2. MaterialsComposition Stopping mechanism PerformanceInjuries - Penetrating - BABT Bullet proof Jacket

3. 1920’s Infanterie-Panzer Brewster Body Armor Washington, D.C., 1923

4. Fibers materials Bullet proof JacketCeramic

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

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

7. Bullet proof Jacket Soft pack Min. Intérieur/CTSI

8. Bullet proof Jacket Hard plate (ceramic) stopping mechanism

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

10. 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 

11. Injuries Behind Armor Blunt trauma Blunt injuries

12. Thoracic wall Cardiovascular Pulmonary Wounding effect Behind Armor Blunt Trauma

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

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

15. 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