A bulletproof vest sounds like – A vests those safeguards against a bullet. But, you will be amazed to read some astonishing facts about a bulletproof vest.
Many first responders, we see, are not wearing a Police vest as their daily personal equipment. Whether they forget or maybe the law enforcement agency they are working with does not provide it. Whatever the reason would be, a bulletproof vest should fulfill its vital purpose.
If first responders and law enforcement agencies are guided with the unaware facts of bulletproof vests, it will be a purpose fulfillment.
Do not consider a bulletproof vest as only a shield against bullet attacks. It serves other purposes also and has other non-revealed facts.
It Is not the Way as Name Suggests
It should be named as Bullet resistant and not bulletproof. The reason behind my claim is that neither a bulletproof vest is bulletproof nor it saves from deadly hazards.
No material used in the manufacturing of bulletproof vests is bulletproof. A bullet can have sharp and serrated edges that can pierce through the fabric and, hence, do lethal damage.
An NIJ 3a bulletproof vest was made to stop all kinds of bullets, but in extreme cases, bullets can also penetrate it if you are not that lucky. The material used can only resist to some extent. In comparison, 9mm AP rounds can tear your vest apart.
It’s The Fiber That Resists Against The Bullet
A bulletproof vest is a vest for life for first responders. That is why it is woven/non-woven with Ballistic Fiber. The fiber is layered, thus forming a shield against bullets.
Like net stops of incoming tennis balls or volleyball, bulletproof vests work precisely the same way. The fiber used in manufacturing causes bullets to slow down – better of low velocity. As a result, the Bullet’s force is dispersed evenly through the vest and hence resisting bullet fires.
Keep in mind that it will not always behave like a cushion that a bullet will bounce off. For example, if a bullet is shot with high velocity and has a sharp edge, it will get through fiber and tear the vest.
Is A Bulletproof Vest For Lifetime?
Likewise, like other fiber products, a bulletproof vest experiences the same. If it is torn, burnt, has creases and gets smelly, it will not assist you in any crossfire.
It does not matter how long you have been using your body armor; it should not be ripped. A vest without shredding can last up to five years if properly taken care of.
Bulletproof Vests Are not Water/Lubricant Resistant
If you often come in contact with water or some lubricant during duty, then sorry to say, it will end the lifespan of your vest. Water gets absorbed into fibers of the vest and hence will lose the ability to resist. Your vest will let bullets penetrate easily.
Some of the advancement has been made in manufacturing bulletproof vests for first responders, and they are now considering producing bulletproof vests with a water-resistant material.
Bulletproof Vests Does not Mean You can Bear a knife Attack Also
Shocking? Yes. You read it correctly. It was a myth about a bulletproof vest that it can also bear stab attacks. Bulletproof vests are for resistance against bullets. At the same time, stab-resistant vests are made of some other material.
Many vests are available in the market that offers reluctance against hazards, but those are expensive and heavier than a standard bulletproof vest.
Got Shot? You can still Face a Bullet Clash
Many troops get this false thought when they get shot that the Bullet has hit them. Well, it is not like that. After getting hit, it feels like being hit by a hammer, but you can still get up and fight against enemies.
Bulletproof vests are designed in a way the power of the shot is divided into the whole vest. We have seen many law enforcement officers have to and fought back to neutralize threat surroundings. However, many new manufactured bulletproof vests are designed to lessen the direct effect of bullets.
A Carrier without a Bulletproof panel Feels like Wearing a T-shirt
It is simple. If you are a frontline responder, a law enforcement officer or a security guard, your carrier will not protect you against sudden and high-velocity ballistic attacks. So make sure your carrier has bulletproof panels lined in and panels are rightly placed.
How to Increase Lifespan Of A Bulletproof Vest
According to the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), a bulletproof vest can last up to 5 years if taken care of. However, wear a bulletproof vest daily and cladding bullet attacks frequently can decrease the lifespan of vests.
It is not a compulsion that you need to wear it for five years. You have to look for scratches and worn outs to lessen fatality carefully. Do not let it wet. Please do not keep it in the cupboard. Use a sponge with mild detergent to clean your vest. Do not wash it in the washing machine.
If properly taken care of, it would resist ballistic attacks in a 5 years span.
