I first designed PPE for demining in the mid 1990s and have been credited by some with inventing the "apron" concept. In fact, the HALO Trust used a simple form of frontal protection before I did, but their design only covered vital areas and was not a broad apron. My goal was to produce something that was cheap, easy to make and as ventilated as possible (for use in very hot climates). I was also concerned to meet the requirements in the International Mine Action Standards, so had to cover a wider area than the minimalist alternatives.

When I turned my attention to frontal protection for demining again this year (2009), the range of aprons available was very broad. Many of them had become complicated and heavy, including genital and thigh protection but there was no evidence that they prevented injury any better in accidents. In fact, the accident record showed that the vital-areas protection pioneered by HALO Trust was very probably adequate, and that heavy or complicated protection was most likely to be laid aside when supervision was lax. So I designed a new apron that falls in between the full coverage offered by my first simple designs and the smallest body armour used in demining.

I used fold-down layers to make the armour easy to walk in and fastenings that are easy for a deminer to put on without assistance. I ade the collar small but effective, and I included optional genital protection that stores inside the armour when it is not wanted.  

See the "Hawk" apron.