Their purpose was to protect the wearer from penetrating injuries by fragments from an exploding device. In the mid-1990s, research showed that these materials alone were not effective against the blast wave itself, which can cause blast lung and other potentially deadly internal injuries.

Do bomb suits protect you from bombs?

The PPE, otherwise known as a bomb suit, is a heavy suit of body armor designed to withstand the pressure released from an explosion and to provide protection from any debris produced.

Can a bomb suit protect you from a grenade?

The Advanced Bomb Suit (ABS) is a full body bomb suit designed to protect the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) soldier from threats associated with improvised explosive devices, including those related to fragmentation, blast overpressure, impact, heat, and flame.