A NECK BRACE (10) IS DISCLOSED WHICH COMPRISES TWO SECTIONS (12, 14) WHICH ARE RELEASABLY CONNECTED TO ONE ANOTHER ALONG A SPLIT LINE (18). THE RING HAS UPWARDLY FACING SURFACES (30, 76.1, 20.2) WHICH LIMIT TILTING MOVEMENT OF A HELMETED HEAD IN ALL DIRECTIONS. THE BRACE FURTHER HAS A COLUMN (68, 70) WHICH EXTENDS DOWNWARDLY FROM THE RING FOR TRANSFERRING LOADS TO THE WEARER’S BACK ON EACH SIDE OF THE SPINE.