Featured About the Helmet That Saved an Orlando Cop’s Life Rob Curtis June 23, 2016 Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Read our affiliate policy. Find out more about how we test products. After the Pulse Nightclub attack ended, the Orlando Police Department released the above image of the ballistic helmet that saved an OPD officer's life. “Pulse shooting: In hail of gunfire in which suspect was killed, OPD officer was hit. Kevlar helmet saved his life,” the department said on its Twitter account, June 12. The helmet was confirmed by its manufacturer today to be a Revision Batlskin Viper A3 Helmet. Reached by phone this afternoon, a spokesperson for Vermont-based Revision Military said the company is saddened by the violence in Orlando, but proud that its product was able to protect a life.. The spokesman said the company used the serial number of the helmet to identify the date, time and shift that made the helmet, drawing a direct link between the people that made the helmet and the life that was saved. The damage to the helmet reveals its aramid construction, shown by the yellow, woven material at the center of the bullet strike. The blue areas show a coating that covers the ballistic core, and the gray material is likely a base coat of paint uncovered as the helmet's polymer edging was pushed down by bullet fragments. The hole above the bullet strike is a screw hole, drilled at the factory and provided as a place to mount a night vision device. Given the time of night the Orlando police officers took action, it's likely there was a night vision device, or at least a plate mount for a device, in place that blunted some of the impact of the bullet and was shorn away. According to the company's website, the $370 Viper helmet offers NIJ IIIA protection, stopping 9mm NATO, .44 Magnum and .357 SIG rounds and meeting the U.S. Army Standard for impact protection. Revision's description of the helmet does not claim it can stop .223 Remington, the rifle round reportedly used by Omar Mateen. The Viper is very similar to the US Military issued Advanced Combat Helmet, though there are minor differences that permit Revision to sell the Viper on the commercial market. Photos courtesy Orlando PD and Facebook. You can follow Revision on Instagram @revisionmilitary or find them online here. Why you can trust RECOIL Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, we’re not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession. At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. Our editors, writers and content creators make all editorial decisions independently, free from outside influence. That boils down to: advertisers don’t dictate our coverage, the outcomes of our reviews or what we recommend in our buyer’s guides. First and always, our commitment is to our audience—ensuring every review and article is accurate, unbiased, and driven by real-world experience. Whether you’re selecting your next firearm, upgrading your gear, or exploring the latest innovations in the shooting world, RECOIL provides the trusted insights you need to make informed decisions. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and how we review products. NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.
