Removable Ear Covers
K9 Helm EC1 Ear Covers don't prevent hearing loss, but they do make it difficult for a combative suspect to plunge a knife into your dog's brain.
The sides of a Belgian Malinois cranium (behind the ears: parietal/temporal region) is around 3-5 mm thick.
A forceful strike (depending on the weapon’s sharpness) could crack or pierce the skull. Studies on human skulls (thicker at 6-7 mm) show penetration is possible with knives at 50-70 N (11-16 lbs of force) if focused on a small area. A dog’s thinner skull would be even more vulnerable. This could cause traumatic brain injury, leading to unconsciousness, seizures, or death within minutes if critical areas (e.g., brainstem) are hit.
EC1 Ear Covers, when attached, add robust yet lightweight protection to the rear of the head, completing the cranial hard shell. The redesigned shape provides improved engagement to the helm. Interior padding is hand cut and fitted, and dampens distracting echoes and wind noise inside the hard shell. It also offers insulation to protect your dog's ears from extreme cold.
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Regarding hearing protection: many special operations K9 handlers use custom-molded ear plugs because it's the best solution to protect a dog's hearing. EC1 Ear Covers help prevent these expensive plugs from becoming dislodged or lost.
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* EC1 Ear Covers only fit 2023 and newer CS1 GoggleHelms.
They DO NOT fit any of K9 Helm's earlier Trident helmets.
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For sales in the US, EU, and other markets:
​Recon K-9
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PUBLIC NOTICE:
EC1 Ear Covers are not hearing protectors. Dog helmets shift in position during changes in neck angle, limiting the ability to maintain an airtight seal around the ears. ANY PRODUCTS marketed as hearing protection that have gaps around the seals, or lack seals altogether, are ineffective for use as hearing protection, whether passive or active (electronic) noise cancelling technology is used. This is based on data K9 Helm acquired from the US Army in 2022. Buyers be warned.
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