force curve that absorbs energy at a substantially constant rate as the component is compressed a component 14 is provided herein consists of one or more compartments to contain a foam or foam surrogate or structure to manage compressive forces resulting from an impact this device is intended to manage the forces resulting from an impact to the head by decreasing the resulting linear accelerations of the head this invention can be used but is not limited to helmets used in sport like hockey football lacrosse alpine skiing cycling and motor sport as well as safety helmets for industrial and transportation applications the example provided in fig8 a 8b and 8c demonstrates the use of the device in an ice hockey helmet in this example the device is positioned between the head and the shell the device is made up of a series of flexible pods containing foam or foam surrogates or structures to manage compressive forces resulting from an impact the invention consists of a pod filled with a foam foam like material or structure designed to manage the force resulting from an impact the peripheral wall is designed to collapse at a defined magnitude until it is no longer effective at which time the foam or foam like material or structure inner walls manages the force to maintain effective management of the transmitted forces designed to minimize the magnitude of the force transmitted to the head controlling the rate of linear acceleration of the head during the impact the invention can be used in conjunction with existing technologies like low friction bladders or a flexible mounting system designed to decrease angular acceleration in operation this device is placed between the shell and the skull.