Why To Purchase Bullet Proof Vest?

By Author: Jake Myers
Total Articles: 30
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The most common threats faced by armed officers are of bullets, pointed/manmade weapons, blunt trauma, hypodermic needles and knives. Many studies have shown that 46% deaths that are caused to officers could have been avoided, if they used concealable body armor vest. Maximum number of deaths was due to bullet impact in the torso area, which could have been protected with a good bullet proof vest. If by using armor could save as many as 2500 lives between the year 1973 and 2000, it makes sense to spend some time and money on buying the most suitable armor.

A body armor vest provides a shield to our body against bullets and other external blows. When a bullet strikes on a person putting on a bullet proof vest, the material of the vest deflects the bullet and its impact is not felt as the energy gets dispersed on a greater area, which keeps the person untouched and completely safe.

There are a variety of materials, from which a bullet proof vest is made. Soft materials (Woven, laminated) and hard materials are available for this purpose. DuPont that made an organic material called Kevlar, Honeywell's Spectra, Toyobo's ...
... Zylon are certain soft materials for body armor vest whereas ceramic and metals are the most common hard materials.

These armors can be also classified as the amount of protection required. For minimum protection, Level I is satisfactory. For greater concealability and comfort, Level II-A is the perfect choice whereas Level II is the police officer's choice as it is cost effective, comfortable, and concealable and protects against blunt trauma.

Level III-A is definitely more expensive and is thicker than Level II but it works better against pistol threats. And for high velocity bullet protection, one should use the Level III/Level IV.

The vests are quite comfortable and generally you do not feel its extra weight. But during the months of summer, the sweat could be a massive discomfort. Yes, a soft material body armor vest is more comfortable but then even its light weight could irritate you during the hot season. You counter against these by wearing those specially made undershirts, which absorb the sweat and keeps you cool. Wearing your bullet proof vest outside, is definitely not an option as it would attract attention; if at all you wish to do this, match the color of your clothes and vest to conceal it to an extent.

The Bullet proof vest is very thin, roughly around 6mm, which makes it highly concealable. Just a t-shirt over it is enough to hide it but you must ensure that it fits you properly, else it would show. If you do not get it of your size, try the companies providing you with the customized body armor vest that is sure to fit you. Avoid wearing very thin t-shirts or shirts as it has a good chance of exposing the vest. Rifle plates are thicker than the vests and hence require a jacket or sweater to conceal it properly.

A body armor vest or bullet proof vest should be purchased to save something that is the most important, our lives!