Understanding Your Body Armor

Threats on the Street

LEOKA – FBI study 2012

Firearms All assaults

LEOKA 2010

The bullet is slowed and stopped within the layers of the armor. Armor absorbs energy, fibers stretch, elongate, and then break.

The fibers stretching or breaking is a normal part of the ballistic protection process.

Your Body Armor in Action

Body Armor Test Threat Ammunition

Body Armor is designed to defeat a particular test round.

NYPD issued vests are level IIIA – tested against .357 Sig and .44 MAG

Plus additional Special Threat Testing

.357 SIG

NIJ-STD-0101.06

Fibers have engaged the bullet

A handgun round may pass through

a few layers of armor before it is

stopped

Unidirectional &Aramid Fibers

AXIIIA Armor is Tri Compliant

Ballistic vest has been tested against three different testing protocols

• National Institute of Justice test standard 0101.06 • FBI testing protocol• DEA testing protocol

These testing procedures are designed to duplicate current threats, physical environments, and possible law enforcement situations.

Understanding the Label on your Ballistic Package

Important information

•NIJ Compliance•Serial Number•Lot Number•Size•Date of Manufacture •Manufacturer Information•Threat Level•Label faces outside •Be sure to have label facing correct way.

AXIIIA

•12-point adjustability •Shoulder has 2” straps

•Waist has 2” and 4" straps

•Two trauma plate pockets located on front panel accommodate either 5" x 8" or 7” x 9”

•Anti-Microbial Bio-Guard treatment to interior fabric

•Moisture Management Microfiber interior fabric

•Two carriers

adjustment of carrier

Armor Daily Care

• Allow to air dry

• Turn Inside Out

• Lay Flat

• Smooth out any ridges or creases

Wash Day Procedures

• Remove shoulder and waist straps from carrier

• Remove ballistic panels from carrier

• Machine wash carrier – without straps

• Tumble dry low or air dry

• Re-insert ballistic panels, with label facing outward

• Replace straps on shoulder and waist

• TIP: use a permanent marker to indicate strap location before disassembling vest to make it easier to reassemble to your customized fit.

• TIP: Wipe armor panels with damp sponge or cloth and allow to fully air dry when needed

Proper fit for your concealable vest

•11% of Officers murdered while wearing body armor and shot over the top of the vest.

•Scoop of the neck of the vest should be positioned 2” below tracheal notch – higher to protect

•Bottom of ballistic panel will be positioned 2-4 inches above the duty belt

•The top of front and back panels should be symmetrical

•Vest should be snug but to not tight

•Front panel should overlap back panel by a minimum of two inches

LEOKA 2010 Top Down View Cross SectionHuman Antonym

Chest

Spine

Shortest distant to heart is 1 ½ inches

• Your body armor should be tested against threats you face in the environment you work - Tri Compliant – FBI, DEA, FRAG

• Your armor is level IIIA or Level II – it should stop your duty round

• Wear your body armor properly

• Body armor can help to make a dangerous job safer

• Inspect and maintain your armor and carrier

• Purchased one of the best available armor solution you can based on weight, ballistic protection and coverage.

• Every additional pound on the torso adds seven pounds of force on to the knees.

Conclusion