iPod (comes close to) saving soldier's life

John A 0 276 Views

What better use of an iPod than to save a soldier's life by stopping a bullet? This photo appears to prove it, although the actual story was that the iPod alerted the soldier to the fact that he had been shot, but it was his armor that actually stopped the bullet.

The story goes something like this: Kevin Garrad, a soldier in Iraq, got into a fight with an insurgent when he had been patrolling the streets, and they opened fire and fought. Kevin managed to kill the insurgent, but had no idea that he had been shot.

It was only in his bunk, trying to play music with his iPod, that he discovered the mash of metal that his iPod had become, and realized that he indeed had been shot. It was his upgraded armor however, that stopped the shot.

Apple's agreed to replace the iPod, while the photos of it are being shown all over the internet. Actually, Kevin's already been through 2 iPods in Iraq, and donations for iPods would be gladly accepted and given to friends in his unit.

Full story .

Dani AI

Generated

This thread, started by , is about a widely circulated April 2007 photo/story of an iPod found mangled after combat. The important correction: the lifesaving element was the soldier's armor, not the iPod. Consumer electronics are not designed or rated to stop bullets; at best a small device can show that an impact occurred or catch a fragment.

Why that fits the facts without drama: stopping or slowing a projectile requires mass and materials engineered to absorb and spread kinetic energy. Body armor uses woven fibers and/or hard plates for that purpose. A thin metal or plastic player will crumple or shatter against a high-velocity round; it can be deformed or trap fragments, but it is extremely unlikely to significantly slow a rifle bullet.

On the thread points, is right to raise the practical question of carrying players on duty — distraction, operational security and interference with kit are real concerns and units handle them differently. is also correct that a device might alter the behavior of small fragments; that possibility does not, however, make the device a substitute for proper protection.

Takeaway: the dramatic image is memorable, but the lesson is simple and practical — rely on approved protective gear, follow unit guidance about personal electronics, and seek medical evaluation for any suspected wound. Personal gadgets can be incidental evidence of an impact, not a replacement for armor or medical care.

Member Avatar for RwCC
RwCC 56 Junior Poster

Should he have an iPod with him whilst on duty? I don't see why this story is being branded about t'internet, utterly pointless. Did the iPod stop the bullet? No. End of story, move on, a soldiers armour did - is that amazing? No that is what it is meant to do.

The sensationalism people give some stories amazes me sometimes. :)

Member Avatar for jamello
jamello 158 Posting Whiz in Training

The point is that the ipod helped in saving the soldiers life. It was said that the ipod helped "slowdown" the bullet. ;)

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