What is a bulletproof vest?
A bulletproof vest is a vest designed to protect you from gunfire and thereby help save lives. The vest is made to catch and contain projectiles from handguns.
There are vests for different purposes, and they come in 6 different protection levels.
A bulletproof vest can be made from various materials, and all will protect you according to the standard they are rated within. What they all have in common is that they are made of fibers which the different manufacturers combine based on what they want their vest to handle.
There are typically 2 types of fibers used in bulletproof vests: Aramid and Polyethylene. Their purpose is to absorb and contain projectiles to stop them and thus save lives. These fibers can be produced and woven together in many different ways; here flexibility, weight, and the thickness of the vest are usually important factors.
However, there are other equally important things to consider. If you are hit by a bullet, it is important that the energy from the shot is spread out in the vest to minimize damage to the internal organs. You may be protected against penetration from a bullet, but the impact from the shot itself can also be harmful, and in some cases fatal.
What is meant by bulletproof?
As mentioned, there are 6 different levels within which a bulletproof vest is classified. It is important to know that a bulletproof vest is only bulletproof within its classification.
The different protection levels range from Level I to Level IV.
Levels I to IIIA fall under what is called soft body armor, in other words a soft bulletproof vest, which protects you against a .44 Magnum.
Levels III to IV are where an extra hard plate is added that can protect you against armor-piercing rifle ammunition.
So, are you protected against all handguns if you have a Level IIIA, which is the highest level within soft vests? The answer is both yes and no!
If special projectiles with a pointed metal tip are used, and the shot comes from a different angle and speed than the vest is rated for, penetration is possible.
The same applies if you are shot multiple times in the same spot. Calling a bulletproof vest bulletproof must be related to the classification the vest has.
Bulletproof vest for Military and Police
Previously, a bulletproof vest was associated with use within the Military and Police. Today, the picture is quite different, and a bulletproof vest is used by many different professions.
People with an increased risk of attack today use bullet and stab-proof vests. Guards in the security industry use bulletproof and stab-proof vests for tasks such as standing at the door of a nightclub or at events, and they are also used for patrolling.
Journalists previously only used bulletproof vests when deployed. Today, they are used for completely normal tasks both at home and abroad where there is an increased risk of attack.
People in the public sector who work with vulnerable groups also use vests. Gangs and criminals use bulletproof and stab-proof vests in their conflicts, but ordinary people have also started to protect themselves.
In the USA, there are bulletproof vests for children, and bulletproof plates are also made that can be inserted into children's school bags.
Bulletproof vest - cheap or used?
If you want a cheap bulletproof vest, ask yourself one question: What is your life worth?
A bulletproof vest is a life insurance, with the purpose of saving your life.
Therefore, never buy a bulletproof vest used. You can find bulletproof and stab-proof vests cheaply on sites like e-Bay, but it is strongly advised against buying used.
You do not know how the vest has been treated, and therefore there is no guarantee for the safety it should provide.
There is typically only about 1,000 DKK to save by buying a cheap used bulletproof vest. So ask yourself, isn’t your life worth that much?