Protecting your body, or the person you are guarding, with a bulletproof vest is a smart choice. Technology has allowed manufacturers to create body armor that stop a variety of bullets which prevent death or major injuries from occurring.
There is concealable, semi-rigid and rigid body armor that affords various levels of protection. Depending the level of protection that you require, you may find that the body armor that you were going to select would not properly protect you. A good rule of thumb that you can use when selecting a bulletproof vest is to choose a vest that can stop a bullet from the firearm that you currently carry. Here we touch on the benefits and limitations of Type III bullet proof vests.
Type III Body Armor
This type of body armor is not concealable, so it is worn over your clothing. It provides you with pockets and loops to hold extra ammunition and other pertinent gear.
Due to its semi-rigid nature and weight, this type of body armor is worn in tactical situations for short periods of time. The mobility of person that is wearing this type of vest is somewhat reduced. In order for a bulletproof vest to have a Type III rating, the National Institute of Justice requires the vest to stop the following bullets:
7.62mm – Full metal jacket bullets with a caliber of 7.62mm, that impact with a minimum velocity of 2,850 feet per second and have a nominal mass of 166 grams.
This rated vest will also provide the same protection as Type I through IIIA vests.
These bullet proof vests will provide protection against bullets that are fired from rifles. The vests are typically worn by SWAT members and other tactical personnel as the likelihood of succumbing to this kind of fire is greater than that of a patrolman.
Maintaining your Bulletproof Vest
Just as you would oil and clean your firearm, it is important that you properly care for your body armor. To determine the proper way to care for your vest, you need to locate the tag on the vest. Some of the recommendations may include:
Removing the plates from the carrier as they should never be washed or cleaned.
Keep the carrier away from bleach and starch products
Do not dry the vest outdoors or in the shade as UV light can degrade the vest fibers
Taking the time to determine if a tactical bulletproof vest is right for you will ensure that you are properly protected. For continued performance and durability, it is important to properly maintain your protective gear at all times by following the manufacturer’s instructions.