This guy makes a few great key points about your choice of armor. You don’t necessarily need to hump level IV all the time.
More and more civilians these days are considering some form of protection in an urban setting. Given
the rapidly growing number of terrorist attacks, mass shootings, random assaults and other unfortunate
incidents, it’s not difficult to see why. Luckily, today body armor manufacturers offer a wide array of
products in several styles to cover a vast set of scenarios. From the more cumbersome and visible overt
tactical systems that are preferred by security personnel, law enforcement and military operatives to
the lightweight and easily concealable soft armor – there are quite a few options to choose from.
People are becoming more aware of the deadly power of guns but it is not enough to simply arm
yourself these days. Donning ballistic body armor can save your life. Modern advancements in
production and design have made it possible to find a balance between high-level protection, comfort
and usability. Soft body armor has advanced considerably and is now made from lightweight and
breathable materials that protect against a variety of threats. There are many levels and styles to find
your optimal fit.
Body armor comes in many shapes and types, but you should have a good understanding of what it can
and cannot do for you in any situation. Because no armor is 100% bulletproof, you should carefully
choose the level that best corresponds to the type of threat you are expecting to face. In our 3 Types of
Body Armor piece we look into what ammunition different protection levels are efficient against.
Body armor is becoming a popular choice for civilians who live in urban areas plagued by theft and
crime. For the needs of an untrained individual, who doesn’t want to draw attention to him or herself, a
covert level IIa vest is sufficient. It offers protection from 9mm FMJ RN 124gr/1090fps up to .40S&W
FMJ 180gr/1025fps in addition to all Class I threats – 22LR, 40gr/1050fps up to .380 ACP FMJ RN
95gr/1025fps. It is worth mentioning that the 22LR is the most commonly used handgun in America. This
is also a light vest and can be worn all day without causing discomfort of overheating.
However, you need to also factor in the increasing rate of knife attacks and attacks with other sharp-
edged and spiked weapons. In this case body armor offering combined protection would do a better job
at keeping you safe. Slashing attacks are different than how a projective enters the carrier and need a
special type of weave to be stopped.
The bottom line is that you can’t be sure whether or not you will find yourself in a potentially life-
threatening situation at any given moment. Being prepared is part of the strategy to say alive and safe.
Body armor can significantly increase your chances of survival both in your line of work and in an urban
setting, but you need to learn to rely mostly on your skills, speed and ability to plan.
