@article{ref1,
title="Aviation maxillofacial shields and blunt impact protection in U.S. Army helicopter  mishaps",
journal="Aerospace medicine and human performance",
year="2021",
author="Weisenbach, Charles A. and McGhee, James S.",
volume="92",
number="1",
pages="50-53",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Maxillofacial shields (MFSs) are an available piece of aviation  protective equipment designed to integrate into aircrew helmets and protect the face  from wind and flying debris. Aviators have anecdotally reported that MFSs have  provided blunt impact protection during impact events (i.e., a crash); however, no  such cases have been formally documented in the literature.CASE REPORTS: Two cases  were identified where aircrew wearing MFSs were involved in mishaps resulting in  maxillofacial blunt impacts. In the first case, an OH-58 pilot struck the cyclic  with his head/face during a crash. In the second case, a CH-47 crew chief was struck  in the face by a maintenance panel dislodged from the aircraft. In both cases the  MFS was damaged, but neither service member experienced injuries as a result of  impact to the face.<br><br>DISCUSSION: The cases illustrate the effectiveness of the MFS  against blunt impact during aviation mishaps. While MFS use is currently optional  for aircrew, it is believed that increased MFS use would result in fewer or less  severe facial injuries as well as decrease the associated time and monetary losses  due to injury.Weisenbach CA, McGhee JS. Aviation maxillofacial shields and blunt  impact protection in U.S. Army helicopter mishaps. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2021;  92(1):5053.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="2375-6314",
doi="10.3357/AMHP.5557.2021",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.3357/AMHP.5557.2021"
}