Taken For Granted: 25 Body Armor Facts People Often Overlook About The Lifesaving Apparel

Oct. 30, 2012 - PRLog -- Body armor… it’s the one item in a police officer’s job that they take for granted. The problem with this is that it’s helpful in saving their lives. However, if more law enforcement knew a little more about body armor, they wouldn’t be so gun-shy about using it in the line of duty.

25 Things People Didn’t Know About Bulletproof Vests

1 - It’s Not Actually Bulletproof  

The reality about bulletproof vests is that they’re not bulletproof, they’re actually bullet resistant. The reality is that bullet resistant vests don’t protect the wearer from every threat.  Nothing is bulletproof, not even a manhole cover.  In extremely minute percentage of cases, a bullet can get through a vest that’s been rated to stop them. The bullet could have a serrated edge or something similar to it.  Bulletproof vests do not make the wearer become Superman.  

2 – Understanding How The Fabric Stops Bullets  
Body armor is comprised of very strong non-woven and/or woven fibers. The material will stop a bullet similar to how a net will stop a tennis ball or volleyball. It causes the bullet to turn, slow it down and send its energy through the whole panel. The bullet mushrooms, which helps in the process. Keep in mind that the heavier and slower the bullet is, the better off the wearer is going to be.  Bullets that have a hard tip or fired at a high velocity will get through the fibers and right through the vest. More information about the how the vest stops bullets can be found here: http://www.bodyarmornews.com/bullet-proof-vest.htm

3 – Every Single Gun Is Deadly  
Many gun enthusiasts disregard the deadly potential some kinds of handgun calibers have. However, any bullet – small or large – that travels at a high rate of speed will get through body armor. Huge handgun rounds such as .44 Magnum and .45 ACP will travel at slower speeds, which allows the body armor to stop them. However, .357 SIG and 9mm guns travel at a quicker speed and can’t stop them as easily.   Important: The shells of a shotgun are very dangerous to bulletproof vests wearers because vests are not rated for these kinds of bullets.  The reason? Shot shells do not have a consistent velocity.  

4 – Body Armor’s Lifespan  
The majority of the United States’ body armor has a standard National Institute of Justice five-year service rating. When a vest is worn each day, it loses the protective capability quicker than one that sits on a shelf. It doesn’t matter how short or long the body armor is worn, the vest should be carefully looked over for any signs of damage – creases, tears, smells and burns. If properly taken care of, the vest should last five years. Be sure to follow the care instructions.  

5 – Send In The Warranty Card  
Make sure that the agency fills out the warranty card to register the vest. If they don’t, be sure that you do. The reason is that during a xylon vest recall, many companies will have a difficult time getting in touch with customers because they failed to send the warranty cards back.  

6 – Wash The Vest, Keep A Spare  
It’s important that you have a minimum of two vests – one to wash, another to wear. Keep it clean and dry to ensure the ballistic panels will lasts for the entire five years.  

7 – Use A Sponge To Clean The Ballistic Panels  
When you need to clean the vest’s ballistic panels, use a damp sponge and a mild soap. If you want, you can also use Febreeze on them. Never, toss them into the washer and/or dryer. Never iron them either, as irons will cause the fiber to burn or melt.  

8 – Put Your Vests Up In A Closet
Don’t forget that ballistic panels comprise of several layers of bullet resistant fibers. If they become bent or are out of shape, you cannot straightened them out or iron them out. So, if you lay your sweat vest on the floor in a crumpled mess, it’ll dry like that.  

9 – Don’t Get The Vest Wet  
The worst idea you can do is go swimming with your body armor on. The reason is that some vests lose their ballistic performance because the water acts as a lubricant. When this happens, it makes it susceptible to bullet penetration. Keep in mind though… there are some manufacturers that have treated their vests with water resistant materials, which then allows them to be used in water.  

10 – View Your Vest As Clothing  
The majority of vest American law enforcement wear are similar to clothing in how they’re made. They have tack stitches, quilt stitches and various other techniques. Veteran garment workers will inspect the bulletproof vest just like the underwear you’re wearing today. They’re looking for any kind of sewing defect that will cause the vest to become inefficient and ineffective.  

11 – After Being Shot In The Armor, You Can Still Fight  
There have been a significant number of cases where officers have been shot wearing their body armor. The majority of them equate the feeling of being hit with a bullet with the feeling of being hit with a hammer. The result of being struck by a bullet wearing the body armor is a nasty-looking bruise, which is caused by the backface deformation.   To date, no one has died because of this and it’s not likely that the wearer will be incapacitated by it. Many law enforcement officers who have been shot in the armor have responded back, in the attempt to neutralize the threat. And, this is even before the use of the latest vest materials, which have been designed to reduce the effects of a blunt impact.  

12 – How The Wearer Can Keep Panel Sag From Happening  
When the ballistic panels sag, the bulletproof vest isn’t very comfortable to wear. Worst of all, it doesn’t provide the protection the wearer wants or needs. The way to deal with the issue is to rotate the carriers. The majority of vests are sold with a couple of carriers, although it’s best to have three. When the carriers are rotated, it keeps the Velcro straps from wearing out and stop the wear of the fabric.  

13 – Stay Fit or Attain A New Body Armor
It’s important that body armor wearers don’t gain more than 10 percent body weight. If a person gains more than five to 10 percent of their body weight – after being fitted for a vest – they need a new one. If a person loses weight, they also may require being fitted for a new vest.  

14 – The Carrier Doesn’t Offer Any Kind Of Ballistic Protection  
No law enforcement officer should wear their carrier as the only protection from bullets. After all, it doesn’t provide any ballistic protection; it’s just like wearing a t-shirt.  

15 – Place The Ballistic Panels In The Right Way  
Ballistic panels have been created to fit into the carrier in a certain way. If the wearer puts them in wrong, it can lead to tragic results. The panel’s strike face is created to slow and disperse the energy of the bullet.  The backside of the panel is created to reduce the trauma. If the panel is flipped, there’s no promise of the vest stopping the bullet.  

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