Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
threat that may be encountered. As you will see in this chapter, identically
rated vests actually vary greatly in the level of ballistic protection they pro-
vide. Some are suitable as low-level protective garments worn inconspic-
uously under clothing while others are more appropriate for use in the
type of tactical armor worn by SWAT teams. Let us first focus on conceal-
able armor. There are several brands of soft body armor suitable for use
under a suit. A new material, Zylon shield, has allowed for the develop-
ment of truly concealable armor providing great protection. Many other
lightweight materials can be manufactured into concealable vests as well,
but they do not equal the performance of Zylon shield. Woven Zylon (not
Zylon shield) is marvelously light and flexible but provides only a mini-
mal level of protection against multiple rounds fired into the vest. Zylon
shield is a bit stiffer but provides an impressive level of protection. It is
also very expensive. This product can be quite useful for those who have
good reason to believe that they may be a target for assassination and want
to wear an inconspicuous ballistic vest under their clothes. Remember: This
type of armor provides protection against common handgun rounds only.
How can a business executive, celebrity, or correspondent going into
harm's way select the appropriate product? The first step is to conduct a
risk assessment. First of all, is the individual in question likely to be tar-
geted by an assassin using a handgun? If so, what type of weapons and
ammunition are common to the region? Many commonly available hand-
gun rounds overseas will easily defeat the ultra-light armor that could be
worn beneath clothing, with the possible exception of Zylon shield. The
Russian Tokarev round passes through many types of armor with ease.
The same is true of steel-core 9-millimeter (mm) rounds. In many instances,
all the armor would likely do is to partially deform the bullet as it passed
through the vest into the wearer's body.
The intended wearer also needs to consider the actual amount of
effec-
tive
coverage a vest will provide. How do you know how to purchase the
right vest? What standards do vests need to meet? How are they tested and
how can consumers know they are purchasing the best available product?
In the United States, vests have been certified and rated according to
standards established by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) for more
than 25 years. The NIJ sets the performance standards and establishes the
testing protocols. Soft body armor protective levels are designated I, IIA,
II, IIIA, III, and IV. The categories are established based on the level of
protection that the vests are designed to provide; each successive level
provides protection against greater ballistic threats (see Exhibit 9.1).
