Modular neck protection device

1. A device to protect the neck and the base of the skull of a person, the device comprising:

a) an impact-resistant pliable substrate whereby said substrate is adapted to encircle an extended portion of the person's neck and lower cranium;

b) a helmet configured to cover the skull of the person, except for the occipital region of the skull and lacking a depending edge along the dorsal region of the neck, said helmet adapted to receive said impact-resistant pliable substrate such that the substrate substantially covers the occipital region of the skull; and

c) a means for circulating fluid through the substrate.

2. A device to protect the neck and the base of the skull of a person, the device comprising:

a) an impact-resistant pliable substrate whereby said substrate is adapted to encircle an extended portion of the person's neck and lower cranium;

b) a helmet configured to cover the skull of the person, except for the occipital region of the skull and lacking a depending edge along the dorsal region of the neck, said helmet adapted to receive said impact-resistant pliable substrate such that the substrate substantially covers the occipital region of the skull and said substrate extends over the thoracic region of the spine of the wearer so as to continuously cover the cervical- and thoracic-vertebra of the wearer; and

c) wherein the substrate further comprises reversibly deformable elongated rods positioned internal of the substrate and extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the substrate, wherein the rods are biased to a straight configuration.

3. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein said helmet defines an open region in the shape of an inverted “V” substantially exposing the occipital region.

4. The device as recited in claim 1 further comprising a means for reversibly attaching said substrate to the helmet.

5. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein the substrate has a superior end attached to the helmet and an inferior depending end which is free hanging.

6. The device as recited in claim 5 wherein the depending end includes straps extending from said substrate and comprising means for allowing closure of the straps around a ventral region of the neck.

7. The device as recited in claim 5 wherein the depending end includes straps extending from said substrate and comprising means for allowing closure of the straps around a ventral region of the torso of the wearer.

8. The device as recited in claim 7 wherein the substrate extends to the mid-thoracic region of the person and comprises rigid elongated material encapsulated by the substrate, said elongated material extending parallel to a longitudinal axis α of the substrate.

9. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein said substrate is integrally molded to said helmet.

10. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein said substrate is adapted to removably receive a hot-pack or a cold-pack.

11. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein the substrate continuously covers the cervical region of the spine of the wearer.

12. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein the substrate is adapted to receive a gel.

13. The device as recited in claim 12 wherein the gel is encapsulated by the substrate to create a construct which can be heated or cooled.

14. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein the substrate is adapted to receive gel which can be circulated through the interior of the substrate.