CHOOSING THE SUITABLE BODY ARMOR

CHOOSING THE SUITABLE BODY ARMOR
4 min read
03 November 2022

There are many different body armor models, levels of protection, and sizes to choose from. It might be difficult to locate concise, clear information regarding the essentials, to put it kindly. SafeGuard is aware that understanding the principles of safety is always beneficial, whether you're looking to buy your first bulletproof vest or want to empower a security force with body armor.

DESCRIBING BODY ARMOR AND HOW IT OPERATES

Body armor, bulletproof, and bullet-resistant vest are all phrases that are often and interchangeably used. What do these expressions signify, though, exactly? Although they can all be used interchangeably, not all of them necessarily mean the same thing. As an illustration, the phrase "body armor" might refer to any kind of bulletproof vest as well as additional safety measures like helmets, leg or groin protection, or even the particular protective plates that are used to shield you. Although there are many different kinds, as the SafeGuard Armor Resources Pages explain, a bulletproof vest is typically self-explanatory. Another name for them is "bullet resistant vests," however some people prefer to call them that. This is because bulletproof jackets do not always offer complete protection from gunfire. However, they will provide a lot more protection than wearing nothing at all, and body armor has been instrumental in saving countless lives.

Then how does it work? Body armor often uses para-aramids or ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). Para-aramids are essentially polymers that have been woven into fibers with a remarkable strength-to-weight ratio. When used to make materials like Kevlar, these fibers' strength and flexibility allow them to "absorb" a lot of energy. The energy of the bullet is divided among the fibers as it travels through the layers of these materials, slowing it to a stop and keeping it inside these very strong fibers. UHMWPE is a multi-filament, gel-spun plastic fiber that is utilized in applications similar to Dyneema. These types of vests will protect users against the majority of ammunition. Some people, for whom the threat is substantially larger, will not be protected by these vests against gunfire of higher caliber. "Hard armor" uses plates made of ceramic, steel, or titanium to protect wearers in perilous circumstances. These plates perform in essentially the same manner. Although they are plainly heavier and thicker, it is a little price to pay for the additional protection.

WHICH VEST SHOULD I USE?

The most important question you should ask when purchasing body armor is this one since it actually can mean the difference between life and death. If the vest you are wearing is unable to shield you from the risks you may face, you have spent your money and put yourself in danger. Additionally, body armor that provides overly high levels of protection should be avoided because it may be larger and more restrictive than a vest that provides lower levels of protection.

CONFIRMED OR OVERT?

Covert and overt body armor are the two main categories. An armor meant to be worn covertly is called covert armor. Vests designed for over-clothing use are known as overt protective vests.

VESTS, COVERT

Bright colors are frequently used in their creation. They are designed to be as thin as possible so that when worn below garments, they disappear. They typically have moisture-wicking fabrics because they are worn beneath clothing, which will keep the wearer cool when worn for lengthy periods of time. They are suitable for personnel who don't want other people to know they are carrying body armor, such as door supervisors, covert operatives, and close protection officers.

OUTSIDE VESTS

These are meant to be worn over clothing. They can be produced in a variety of colors when necessary, but they are normally black. For instance, military vests usually have camouflage designs, while security personnel frequently don high-visibility bulletproof vests. In war areas, media personnel also don bulletproof vests. Overt armor typically weighs more and is more cumbersome to wear than covert armor. Armed forces members, security guards, and police officials all don overt vests.

In case you have found a mistake in the text, please send a message to the author by selecting the mistake and pressing Ctrl-Enter.
zheng yimin 2
Joined: 1 year ago
Comments (0)

    No comments yet

You must be logged in to comment.

Sign In / Sign Up