When EMS works the warm zone alongside law enforcement, the medic needs protection equal to the officers beside them — but with coverage suited to a job done kneeling, leaning, and at ground level. The NAR SS-401 Full Cut answers that with a full-cut aramid shell that protects the temporal and occipital regions a high-cut helmet leaves exposed, tested to meet or exceed NIJ Standard 0106.01.
Your medic is working a casualty at ground level in the warm zone — is the side and back of their head covered, or does a high-cut shell stop at the ears?
The shell is an aramid composite reinforced with thermoset resin for a rigid, penetration-resistant surface that spreads impact across a wider area. Inside, the D3O TRUST 7 pad system uses a rate-sensitive polymer — soft to the touch, stiffening under rapid impact energy — in a seven-pad geometry mapped to the skull so no zone is left with a high-pressure void. A dial-ratchet harness gives one-hand fit adjustment even gloved, and Picatinny-style side rails accept lights, cameras, and NVG mounts without drilling.
Protection scope: Ballistic helmets protect against the fragmentation and handgun threats for which the NIJ 0106.01 standard tests; no helmet is rated against all threats. Refer to NAR documentation and your agency’s armor policy for fitting, threat-level selection, and inspection guidance.
Why This Helmet
Greater temporal and occipital protection than high-cut shells — built for medics who work low and unarmed.
Meets or exceeds the NIJ ballistic helmet standard, tested at an NIJ-accredited laboratory.
Geometry-conforming rate-sensitive pads decelerate impact across multiple axes and adjust to head shape.
Picatinny side rails for lights, cameras, and NVG; one-hand dial-ratchet fit adjustment, even gloved.
Who Wears It
Medics entering the warm zone alongside law enforcement during active-violence response.
Patrol and tactical officers needing certified head protection with accessory mounting.
Cross-agency teams standardizing on full-cut ballistic protection.
Build The System
Pair the helmet with body armor and a front-of-armor trauma load.
Level IIIA soft armor built for medical responders.
Front-of-armor trauma load for warm-zone response.
Plates, carriers, and protective platforms.
Up Close
NIJ-tested aramid shell, D3O TRUST 7 pads, and rail-ready modularity — built for the medic who works low.
Specifications
| Ballistic Standard | Meets or exceeds NIJ Standard 0106.01 (NIJ-accredited lab tested) |
| Shell | Aramid composite with thermoset resin, full-cut geometry |
| Pad System | D3O TRUST 7 — geometry-conforming, hook-and-loop adjustable |
| Retention | Dial-ratchet harness, one-hand adjustable |
| Rails | Picatinny-style side rails for accessories |
| Weight | ~3 lb |
| Sizes / Colors | S / M / L / XL · Black, Tan |
| Manufacturer | North American Rescue |
When To Use It
- context: Rescue Task Force warm-zone medical operations — full-cut coverage protects temporal and occipital regions that high-cut helmets leave exposed.
- context: Law enforcement officer in breaching/clearing role — full-cut shell provides added lateral and rear-head coverage during close-quarters entry.
- context: Agency standardization for RTF teams — consistent NIJ 0106.01-tested helmet ensures known protection levels and accessory compatibility.
- context: EMS working the warm zone — medics need ballistic protection equal to the officers protecting them.
How It Compares
Full-cut SS-401 vs. high-cut combat helmet: Full-cut provides more head coverage; high-cut allows ear-mounted communications and better peripheral awareness. For RTF medics, full-cut is typically preferred for maximum ballistic coverage. See ballistic PPE.
Aramid vs. UHMWPE helmet shells: Aramid (Kevlar) shells are the traditional standard for NIJ 0106.01 compliance; UHMWPE is lighter but may have different ballistic performance profiles. The SS-401 aramid construction provides proven NIJ-tested protection. See ballistic PPE.
D3O TRUST 7 vs. standard foam pads: Standard foam pads provide passive impact management; D3O's rate-sensitive polymer stiffens under rapid impact for superior blunt trauma mitigation. The TRUST 7 system maps pad placement to skull geometry for uniform coverage. See ballistic PPE.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the SS-401 helmet NIJ 0106.01 tested?
A: Yes. The SS-401 Advanced Combat Helmet is tested to NIJ Standard 0106.01 for ballistic protection. Verify the current NIJ certification documents with NAR before operational deployment to confirm the tested protection level.
Q: What training is required to use the SS-401 helmet?
A: The SS-401 is personal protective equipment, not a medical device. Operationally, users should be trained in proper fit adjustment using the dial-ratchet harness and in NIJ ballistic protection level interpretation. RTF teams should train in donning/doffing under stress.
Q: How does the full-cut SS-401 compare to high-cut helmets?
A: The full-cut design protects the temporal bones and occipital region that high-cut helmets leave exposed — critical for medical personnel working at ground level where lateral threats are more likely. High-cut helmets provide better hearing and communication device access; full-cut provides more coverage at the cost of some audio passthrough.
Q: What is the NSN or procurement path for the SS-401 helmet?
A: Available through MED-TAC International. Agency procurement can leverage GSA Advantage or state/federal grant funding for personal protective equipment. Contact NAR or MED-TAC for current NSN and contract status.
Q: What accessories are compatible with the SS-401 helmet?
A: The SS-401 includes Picatinny-style side rails for lights, cameras, and night-vision accessories. Verify accessory compatibility with NAR specifications for the current generation helmet; mounting hardware specifications are in the product data sheet.
Related searches: NAR SS-401 helmet, full cut ballistic helmet, NIJ 0106.01 helmet, D3O TRUST 7, RTF helmet, law enforcement ballistic helmet, rail-ready combat helmet.
All products sourced direct from North American Rescue. CoTCCC recommendation status verified where applicable. Ships from MED-TAC International, Pembroke Pines, FL — clinician-founded, veteran-led, SDVOSB-certified.
Available Options:
- Black / Small
- Black / Medium
- Black / Large
- Black / Extra Large
- Tan / Small
- Tan / Medium
- Tan / Large
- Tan / Extra Large
Specifications coming soon. Contact us for detailed product information.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
