Fluid-based exoskeletal body armor with climate control

A method for protecting an individual, the method comprising:

• positioning a protective system on the individual, the protective system comprising:
• a head portion comprising a fluid-filled head portion chamber;
• a neck portion releasably secured to the head portion and comprising a neck portion chamber, wherein the fluid-filled head portion chamber is in fluid communication with the neck portion chamber;
• and
• a torso portion releasably secured to the neck portion and comprising a fluid-filled torso portion chamber, wherein the fluid-filled torso portion chamber is in fluid communication with the neck portion chamber;
• and
• wherein the head portion is disposed on a head of the individual, the neck portion is disposed in an arcuate manner around a neck of the individual, and the torso portion is disposed on a torso of the individual, such that when a force of an impact is received on the head portion, fluid from the fluid-filled head portion chamber is transferred into the neck portion chamber to support the neck of the individual against translational and rotational forces imparted to the individual, and when a force of an impact is received on the torso portion, fluid from the fluid-filled torso portion chamber is transferred to the neck portion chamber to support the neck of the individual against translational and rotational forces imparted to the individual;
• and
• injecting fluid into at least one of the fluid-filled head portion chamber and the fluid-filled torso portion chamber.