Selecting a bulletproof vest means choosing a vest that offers a high level of protection and is wearable and affordable. The level of protection offered by many bulletproof vests is changing and increasing as technology learns better ways to deal with kinetic energy transference, but even wearing body armor is no guarantee against injury.
This is especially true in the case of vests that may protect the wearer from impacts to the torso but have absolutely no protective use should the bullet deflect off the armor and strike an arm or a leg or even the face. While protective body armor is designed to offer the wearer a high chance of avoiding serious injury, it's still important to recognize the potential for injury to other parts of the body.
When buying a bulletproof vest, considering the particular activities you're planning to protect against will help significantly. While a grade I or II armor is quite common, it may not offer sufficient protection against impact received from an automatic rifle or other weapons, such as knives or blades or sharp-ended instruments. For more significant risks, such as proposed exposure to these kinds of weapons, perhaps upgrading to military level armor or grade III or IV protection is advisable.
In occupations where the wearer is exposed to dangerous or threatening situations on a regular basis, then high levels of protection become far more important than cost considerations. Safety should never be compromised for the sake of buying a bargain. While a bulletproof vest may offer a level of protection to employees or to yourself, if the nature of threat is significant then perhaps opting for full body armor is advisable.
No matter which option you choose, it's still important to take care to conceal your bulletproof vest. After all, if an attacker recognizes that you're wearing body armor, there is a high risk that the assailant will aim for unprotected parts of your body instead. This usually means the most exposed part of your body will be your head.
Choosing the Right Vest
In order to select the right vest for your level of required protection, always choose the vest that offers adequate protection against any threat you perceive that you'll be facing. If you have no way to determine the level of threat you'll be facing, then perhaps consider protecting yourself against harm from your own handgun in the event of being disarmed and having your gun turned on you.
Buying the biggest, best, most expensive armor is not always the most comfortable option. If you know you'll need to wear your vest for long periods of time then be sure you choose one that isn't too stiff or uncomfortable.
Correct sizing is also important. Wearing a vest that is too large for you may result in a vest that pushes up into your throat if you sit down or bend over. If possible, opt for a bulletproof vest that offers side panel protection so you can protect vital internal organs from impact.
| Written by Sampson Zelder |
