During sea battle personnel are subject to high velocity shock waves traveling through the snip's structure due to explosions aboard the ship or in close proximity to it. The effects of this “Solid blast” or“DecK heave” are such that per¬sons may suffer serious injuries such as broken or crushed bones in the ankle, leg or spine, or severe blows due to being thrown against bulk heads or projections. Treatment of these severe injuries is difficult, permanent disability often results and many times amputation is necessary. In any event the man is a casualty and must be removed from duty.nA means was therefore sought which would absorb the shock wave energy to protect personnel from this type of injury. In the carrying cut of research work on protective devices, materials such as plastic foams or cellular structures, collapsible metal rings and rubber mats and rubber shoe soles rings were investigated.
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