The different forms of body protective armors are:
Hardbody armor: Hard armor is necessarily bullet-proof body vests that protect against bullets of high velocity. This includes high-caliber ammunition. Hardbody armor makes use of ceramic or titanium plates to resist shots that are potentially more dangerous. Hardbody armors are much thicker due to the protective layers added and the heavy material used in the manufacturing process. Patrolling officers would not require wearing hard body armor since their chances of facing high-velocity bullets are negligible. However, people serving in the army do need hard body armor for additional protection.
Soft body armor: Soft body armor uses more delicate and more flexible material than hard body armor. Soft body armors enable better movement and more flexibility in physical actions. These are also lightweight than hard body armor. These serve as a protection against bullets of low destruction. Since it uses flexible fiber and not rigid plates, the bullet may seep through the fabric. However, the energy distribution is such that the bullet ultimately comes to a halt before even touching the surface of your body.
Stab and cut protection: As officers on duty, they are exposed to threats of all kinds. One of the threats includes knife attacks. Knife attacks are mainly aimed at the side of the neck to harm the aorta or at the torso region to cause heavy bleeding. Stab and cut protection vests are made of unique material that does not mean to stop the blow but reduces the impact of cutting surfaces. The fabric is closely knit in a way that it does not let the sharp edge cut through. You may have seen officials with ripped vests or cut-over shirts. This is because the stab protection vests protect against deep cuts, which keep the skin surface safe. The material used is a mostly para-aramid synthetic fiber which is the best protection against stabs and cuts.
Multi threat armor: These come as a package and often require putting on extra layers of material to protect against various threats. For instance, multi-threat armor comes equipped with groin and breast protection. They can also be laminated to make them spike-proof. Often, people in demanding fields would require keeping their bodies safe from any threat. This includes cuts, stabs, bullets, and heavy ammunition. Multi threat armors cater to the same purpose.
What to consider when buying body armor?
The various aspects of body armor to consider before buying one are:
- Material of the armor: The production of armors seeks a wide range of materials. However, para-aramid fibers are most popular since they are the strongest, most flexible, and comfortable. Some people choose steel for body armor. While it is a safe option, it is heavy, impractical, and hard to wear all day long. This is why the alternative is often polyethylene, which is affordable, flexible, and meets all your needs. These high-density PE sheets are practical and have a better approach for protecting you from any harm.
- Threat awareness: There are all kinds of body armor available in the market. However, the one that will be the right fit for you is decided by considering the threat levels that you are normally exposed to. If your job requires you to catch menial thieves that may attempt smaller attacks, you will need knife and throat protective body armor. If you are somebody who has to present at the open field a lot, facing high-velocity bullets, you must choose hard body armor. The correct choice of armor is made of two coherent choices of factors- safety and body movement. Your body armor should be such that it provides maximum protection without hindering much body movement.
- Right fit: While looking for body armor, it is vital to ensure that it fits you well. If it is loose or hanging around, you will not be well protected by any harm. The armor should give you enough space and margin to breathe but also rest close to your body so that it stops any sudden blows of knives and bullets. The best way to ensure that your armor fits you well is to try sitting, standing, and running while wearing it. If it does not block movement, it is the right fit.
