Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
EFFECTIVENESS
Another troubling test parameter is the NIJ's decision to exclude pene-
trations of test rounds impacting less than two inches from a prior hit.
Why two inches? Once again, it is an arbitrary standard. We can state from
personal experience that most vests will fail if they are subjected to test-
ing above and beyond what the NIJ requires. Of course, there must be
some cutoff for testing purposes. At some point, a round striking in close
proximity to a prior hit will penetrate, especially in lighter-weight armor.
Similarly, a round on or very close to an edge will take the path of least
resistance and travel around the SBA into the wearer's body. There must
be sufficient material to disperse the energy of the bullet. But two inches
between shots and three inches from an edge? The standard that David
adopted while creating the testing protocol for the DEA was one inch from
the edge and one inch between shots. While this standard is still subjec-
tive, it works in favor of the individual wearing the armor. In addition,
besides the obvious point that requiring a vest to be effective against mul-
tiple, closely grouped impacts provides more protection for wearers, it also
allows the tester to get a feel for the sample being tested. Once the vest
is stressed a bit more beyond what the NIJ requires, it will either demon-
strate its superior design or it will fail utterly. During one testing phase at
the DEA, David tested nine different vests from a variety of companies.
Each sample was rated and certified as level IIIA by the NIJ. Only one
vest out of nine passed David's more demanding protocol. The other
eight, including tactical vests worn by officers in departments in major
metropolitan areas, failed. They were shot through with alarming ease.
Only through testing can those responsible for vest selection get the nec-
essary “feel” for the right choice.
What is the correct approach? In our estimation, the standards set
forth by the NIJ do not reflect the needs of the end user, the person who
is relying on the product to stop a round. Standards will always be sub-
jective. But it is the responsibility of individuals to decide what type of pro-
tection they require and what tradeoff relative to comfort versus level of
protection they are willing to make. They must make this determination
on the basis of science and available data. Standards will also vary depend-
ing on application. Vests for patrol officers to wear during a full shift or
for executives to wear beneath their suits must be more comfortable than
vests worn for only short periods. If you are considering the purchase of
tactical vests for your security staff or bodyguard force that will be worn
