Safety helmet : Royal Australian Navy boarding party, HMAS Kanimbla

Places
Accession Number REL33636
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Helmet
Physical description Foam rubber, Nylon webbing, Plastic
Maker Pro-Tec
Place made United States of America
Date made c 2000
Conflict Period 2000-2009
Iraq, 2003-2013
Description

Black plastic 'Pro-tec', 'Classic Full Cut' helmet. The helmet is cut low at the sides to cover the ears, and has a series of seven ventilating holes set around its crown. There are further pairs of holes on the forehead and above the neck, and openings opposite the ears. Black and white stickers with the text 'Pro-tec' are affixed at each temple and on the front of the helmet. On the rear of the helmet is a small white sticker with order details. The helmet is lined with white high-density foam, sections above the neck and over the forehead and ears being faced with a softer pale yellow expanded foam which is heavily torn. These sections are secured by Velcro strips, and can be removed for cleaning or replacement,. The unfaced foam in the crown is permanently affixed. Inside the crown of the helmet is written in black ink "Jazz" and the number " 19". The helmet is secured by a single black nylon webbing chin strap with a fastex clip.

History / Summary

This style of helmet was used by Royal Australian Navy boarding parties on operations in the Persian Gulf. These distinctive helmets are often referred to as 'skater helmets' for their similarity to helmets commonly used by skateboarders. They were regulary used by the Navy when fast roping by helicopter or being transferred by rigid hull inflatable boats to compliant and non-compliant boardings. These helmets are much more comfortable and lighter than conventional Personnel Armour System-Ground Troop (PASGT) type helmets in the hot and wet conditions enduring during boarding operations. They are much more practical if the person wearing it falls into the water. This style of helmet has been replaced by a newer style.