#USA #USSOCOM #radiation shield #StemRad #Perry, Georgia

StemRad 360: A Game-Changer in Radiation Protection

StemRad, a leading name in personal radiation protection technology, has made headlines again by achieving remarkable results during a rigorous evaluation by the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). Held at the Guardian Centers in Perry, Georgia, the exercise, titled CBRN RDAX "Dragon Spear 2024," simulated rescue operations in the aftermath of a nuclear detonation. This five-day event aimed to assess technologies under extreme conditions, making it a critical test for innovations in radiation shielding.

What Happened During the Exercise

The exercise required Special Operations forces to conduct full-gear training in a simulated post-detonation environment, complete with live radiation sources. Juggling the challenges of navigating through wreckage while ensuring safety, these operators utilized the StemRad 360 Gamma Radiation Shield. The results demonstrated the shield's effectiveness in real battle conditions, emphasizing its potential to protect personnel in the most hazardous scenarios.

As part of the evaluation, the shield underwent various assessments focusing on two main categories: training effectiveness and operational effectiveness. The results were astounding, giving the StemRad 360 Gamma a score of 98 out of 100 for training and 80 out of 100 for operational use, indicating its high acceptability for nuclear combat scenarios.

Operator Experiences and Feedback

Warfighters who trekked through the rubble while wearing the StemRad shield were particularly impressed. One operator commented, "I was able to break through concrete with a sledgehammer and pull casualties out of a small tunnel with no issues." Another expressed appreciation for the technology's user-friendly design, stating, "This tech is lifesaving for first responders dealing with radiation concerns. It didn't obstruct my movements at all."

This sentiment echoes throughout the operator community, as several users noted that they often forgot they were wearing the shield even during demanding tasks like breaching and rappelling. Such feedback highlights not only the protective capabilities of the StemRad 360 but also its ability to allow for seamless operations in the field.

Measured Shielding Effectiveness

The evaluation also produced compelling quantitative data regarding the shield's performance against live radiation exposure. The StemRad 360 showcased:

• - A 73.3% attenuation of Cs-137 gamma radiation, closely aligning with independent laboratory results.
• - A 60.4% reduction in peak bone marrow dose under varying conditions, which resonates with the data derived from anatomically accurate human models studied at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

This calibration underscores the capability of StemRad's shielding technology, greatly reducing gamma doses to critical tissues. In extreme exposure scenarios, the potential lethality could drop to nearly zero, offering potentially life-saving benefits in situations where traditionally a significant number of personnel might succumb to acute radiation effects.

Company Vision and Future Implications

Dr. Oren Milstein, CEO of StemRad, underscored the importance of these findings: "This rigorous USSOCOM evaluation represents true validation with the warfighter. Our technology performed seamlessly in challenging conditions, and it has demonstrated its lifesaving potential. Our mission is to protect those on the front lines, and the StemRad 360 is achieving that objective."

Lt. Gen. David Furness (Ret.) added, "The operational survivability in radiological situations heavily depends on protecting the first responders. The StemRad 360 provides targeted shielding for the most vulnerable tissues without compromising mobility or mission success. This technology is a major advancement for our forces, enabling them to continue their operations even in the direst environments."

As a pioneer in personal radiation protection, StemRad continues to innovate and commit to safeguarding those who protect society—be it on the battlefield or in other high-risk settings. From military operations to firefighting and emergency response scenarios, the protection offered by the StemRad 360 Gamma Radiation Shield is poised to enhance safety for myriad first responders in life-threatening situations.