Ballistic Helmet Water Submersion
Current Issue PASGT helmet (left in first photo)
PASGT helmet upgraded with the Oregon Aero® BLSS® Kit (right in first photo and in second photo)
Moisture and Waterproof
Oregon Aero® Ballistic Helmet Pads feature a proprietary gas and air permeable, yet moisture and waterproof, coating. Pads are submerged in salt water to a depth of 66' for 12 hours to test for moisture and waterproofing. The coating helps the helmet stay cooler and helps ensure that if the pads get wet, the dramatic shock absorption quality of the pads is maintained.
Buoyancy
All items of the helmet systems were weighed and charted separately. The systems were submerged in fresh water and tested side-by-side. The Oregon Aero® upgraded helmet is positively buoyant (right in first photo and in second photo). The current issue PASGT helmet is negatively buoyant (left in first photo). Helmets upgraded with the BLSS® Kit and BLU® Kit are positively buoyant, making them safer in amphibious and water-fording situations.
| Object | Weight in lb + oz | Buoyancy in lb + oz |
| PASGT shell M | 3 lb + 1.3oz | |
| PASGT shell L | 3 lb + 3.7oz | Negative -12.7 oz |
| PASGT shell XL | 3 lb + 15 oz | |
| Std. Suspension + Harness | 4.2 oz | |
| BLSS® Kit Harness | 4.2 oz | |
| BLU® Kit #4 | 3.8 oz | Positive 1 lb + 2.3 oz |
| BLU® Kit #6 | 5.2 oz | Positive 1 lb + 9.1 oz |
| BLU® Kit #8 | 6.0 oz | Positive 1 lb + 12.7 oz |
| Issue PASGT System Total L | 3 lb + 7.9 oz | Negative -12.7 oz |
| PASGT/BLSS® Kit System Total L | 3 lb - 11.7 to 13.9 oz | Positive 5.4 to 16 oz |
