Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
to the shoulder and armpit area. Nineteen officers (17 percent) were killed
by rounds that entered between the side panels of the vest or in the
armpit. Eight officers (7 percent) were struck below the level of their vest,
and 19 (17 percent) died when rounds penetrated their vest.
4
How can these figures help citizens in the private sector select the
proper armor for their personnel or themselves? By studying these sta-
tistics, we can learn where vests are failing. The obvious conclusion is that
the more of the individual's body that is covered by armor, the better.
These figures tell us that, while we need to consider the comfort with
which the vest can be worn, we must
always tip the scale toward having
more coverage rather than less. NIJ
comfort guidelines recognize this
fact but do not emphasize the point
strongly enough.
5
Executives should
select vests that come up as high
under the arm as possible, and the
top edge of the vest should reach the
collarbone. Wrap-around should be
front over back and should overlap by
at least two inches. The vest also must
be an appropriate length, preferably
covering the navel. Remember, length
and overlap is of great importance
because any
vest will fail if it is struck
close to an edge.
If an executive or celebrity is seeking a vest that is truly
concealable under clothing, then it may be necessary to choose a design
with somewhat less coverage. A very good design for this application is the
Extreme ZX by American Body Armor. It is lightweight and flexible and
provides a good level of protection as a concealable vest (see Exhibit 9.3).
Remember, regardless of which model of concealable armor you select,
make sure you do not buy a vest with excessively wide armholes or too
generous a scoop in the neck.
Exhibit 9.3
Model Extreme ZX by
American Body Armor
Photo courtesy of Armor Holdings, Inc.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS AND SPECIAL THREATS
Consider what climate-related effects may be unique to your environment.
Where are you located? Are your vests likely to be subjected to extreme heat
