One of the most effective personal protective equipment is rightly considered to be body armour. They differ from one another in terms of protection class, level of injury and method of wearing. When selecting one, the purpose of wearing it must be taken into account, which will determine the class and type of protection.
Protection class
There are six basic protection classes, each of which can also have its own subcategory. A separate class is reserved for special flak jackets, which are designed to protect against knives. The higher the class, the better the protection.
Three main types of flak jackets are also worth noting:
- External wear — made from Kevlar or Dainemo ballistic fabric. The latter variant will be considerably tougher than Kevlar;
- Concealed carry — are relatively lightweight and useful when you need to conceal protection from prying eyes;
- Plate Carrier is a low-weight, modular protection system that can be fitted with additional protection elements to increase efficiency.
Today body armour is one of the basic elements of military uniforms, used by bank employees, bodyguards and security guards. It is a really efficient means of protection, but the manufacturer should be taken into consideration while choosing one. The choice of body armour on today’s market is many, but not all of them meet the requirements and standards.
What to look for when choosing a bulletproof vest?
When choosing a bullet proof waistcoat you must first of all consider your goals. The higher the class of the bulletproof vest, the better protection it provides. For example, class one is designed to protect against Makarov pistol bullets. The sixth class protects against steel-tipped, armour-piercing incendiary bullets. There is also a special class that protects against blows from cold weapons.
Armour waistcoats are also differentiated according to the level of impact:
- Extreme — no penetration, but the bullet presses into the waistcoat, which can cause severe pain and bruises to the body;
- medium damage level — no penetration, bullet doesn’t press in, but a person can feel pain all the same;
- Small level — designated by the letter M, such protection is absolutely impenetrable, the bullet does not press in and the person does not feel any discomfort.
The lower the injury level, the higher the cost of protection. Body armour can also be concealed, external and Plate Carrier. The latter are expensive, but lightweight and offer maximum protection.
Materials and construction
Kevlar or Dainemo fabrics are generally used in the production of body armour. Additional materials like metal or ceramic for additional protection are used. Virtually all flak jackets can be additionally equipped with plates that will make the product several times more durable. Lightweight flak jackets may not be additionally reinforced, and usually offer only short-range protection against bullets and bladed weapons. Any body shop can offer quality products in various protection classes. A wide range of personal protective equipment at competitive prices allows you to choose exactly what you need. If you need to buy a bulletproof vest, do not waste your time, just refer to the specialized sales outlet, consult with staff if necessary — they will help you choose the best option that will suit your purpose.