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Body armour (also called body arrmor in the US) is often referred to incorrectly as bullet proof vest or bullet proof jacket.
The correct term is Bullet Resistant Soft Body Armour. The term Bullet Resistant is used because there is no guarantee that the armour will defeat every bullet it may encounter.
Soft Body Armour is generally designed to defeat standard handgun ammunition, not armour piercing or rifle ammunition and while it may offer protection from a slashing knife attack there is no real protection from a stabbing attack.
Types
Soft Body Armour is available in many different designs and for many different threat level
Overt
Also called tactical or general duty: most commonly seen to be used by Police in siege situations and normally it is of a high threat level. This armour can also carry a hard plate to defeat rifle projectiles.
Covert
Also called undercover or undershirt. A well designed covert
is virtually undetectable.
Certification Procedure
There are many different testing standards throughout the world. However the U.S.A. National Institute of Justice (N.I.J.) Standard 0101.03 is probably the most widely accepted and currently is the only standard accepted by the Australian Police Services.
The purpose of the N.I.J. Standard was to establish minimum performance requirements and a test method that offered repeatability of results for the testing of Police Body Armour.
The testing procedure even addressed labelling and workmanship.
The ballistic performance criteria has four main areas:
1. Must pass testing in wet as well as dry conditions.
(Some materials lose strength when wet.)
2. No penetration through the armour by the test projectiles
at the test velocity range or lower.
3. 0 and 30 degree angle impacts.
4. Backface signature not to exceed 44 mm.
All testing is performed on a block of modelling clay (plasticine) that has a specific consistency. Note: this does not mean that it represents the human body, it is used for repeatability of results and ease of backface signature measurements.
Backface signature is the end result of the shock caused by the projectile on impact, this is also celled 'Blunt Trauma'.
Manufacturers use a variety of special fabrics and materials to address the requirements of the test standards and still endeavour to keep the armour cost effective and as light as possible.
Blunt Trauma that is excessive (over 44 mm) can cause serious physical damage e.g. Soft tissue destruction, haemorrhaging, internal organ bruising, or in the worst scenario, the fracturing of a bone, causing secondary projectiles to penetrate organs.
The amount of Blunt Trauma that a person can stand depends
on many factors, however the major factor is body condition. Fit,
muscular body type can absorb a greater impact.
The N.I.J. Standard has six threat levels of which 4 are for soft
body armour. All levels of soft armour are tested using two different
projectiles. The projectiles are selected as being representative
of commonly used ammunition but differing in characteristics
i.e.
Test round 1. .357 may. 158 gr. JSP. Heavy projectile designed to expand on impact. Offers high energy on impact making it suitable for blunt trauma checks.
Test round 2. 9 x 19 mm 124 gr. FMJ. Military ball designed to penetrate. Has greater penetration characteristics: good for checking penetration resistance.
The velocities for testing are based on the standard factory
ammunition used in firearms with standard barrel lengths.
Secondary Projectiles.
Hard objects of any kind should never be worn behind the ballistic panels of the vest. Jewellery, crucifixes, pens, underwire bras or styles with metal or hard plastic fasteners in the front can all be all turned into secondary projectiles, causing serious damage if struck by a bullet.
There is not much point in the body armour stopping a bullet, only to have the crucifix or other object behind the impact area puncture a lung or embed itself in your chest cavity.
Over the years, body armour has saved many lives and prevented
injuries from motor vehicle accidents as well as bullets.
Why size and fitting of Body Armour is important
Correct fitting body armour is very important for many reasons.
If it is too loose, not only is it uncomfortable to wear but it becomes very noticeable as it bulges under your shirt. Too long and it will dig into neck when you are seated, Too short and it does not give enough coverage of the lower abdomen. Too small and it doesn't cover the sides and chest properly. If your body armour doesn't fit properly, you will find you do not like wearing it and it probably stay in the locker. Body armour stored in a locker has never been known to save a life.
When a person is threatened, primeval responses occur instantly,
providing temporary increases of energy and strength. Bodily functions
are dramatically altered, including the brain, muscles and internal
organs. The senses are heightened and the brain releases adrenaline
into the blood stream. This all happens in response to one instinct
-survival.
When you're in a stress situation, your body's response includes:
1. Rapid breathing to get oxygen to the heart and lungs.
2. Elevated heart rate to get increased oxygen supplies to the muscles and brain.
3. The diaphragm, muscles and tendons of the chest cavity expand and contract rapidly, pushing air out and drawing more into the lungs. A by-product of this action is body heat, as the body literally 'burns' energy.
Considering all of the above, you shouldn't restrict the air supply into your lungs with a tight fitting body armour. If your body can't supply oxygen to the brain and muscles during stress, it will simply shut down. Air is not only needed by the lungs, but just as importantly is needed in a free flow around the body for cooling. Most people wearing body armour fasten the vest too tightly so that it won't cause noticeable bulges. They do this at the cost of comfort. Another reason why it should fit properly.
Don't over tighten the velcro straps. Take the slack out of
the straps to the point where they begin to stretch, then add
I 0 mm to 25 mm of stretch into all waist straps. Find the fit
that is most comfortable for you. You should always be able to
slip two fingers in between your body and the vest.
Care and Maintenance of Ballistic Body Armour
Owing to the many styles of body armour and the various materials, (both ballistic and non ballistic,) used in construction of body armour, it is very difficult to provide a complete care and maintenance guide.
Following is a general guideline for the care of all types of armour
Storage:
All body armour, regardless of style, should be stored flat,
and not thrown in the back or boot of your car or left in the
bottom of the wardrobe. Laying it flat when not in use helps
to ensure there are no sets or wrinkles in the ballistic materials
which may cause damage to the fibres. Tactical armour that has
a hard plate in the front or rear, should be stored with the plate/s
removed. It should never be stored while it is damp from washing
or perspiration as this can cause mould to grow.
Washing:
There are different materials used in covers and carriers for vests and the manufacturers washing instructions (where available) should be followed. Some of the removable carriers, made from poly cotton can be gentle machined washed or hand washed. Carriers made from 100% nylon or cordura should be hand sponged, using mild detergents and warm water. The cover of the ballistic package, usually made of waterproof nylon, should only be hand sponged using mild detergents and warm water. The ballistic package should never be immersed in water.
Drying:
After being cleaned, the ballistic package should be laid flat to dry in a well ventilated, shady place. It should not be hung on the clothes line or laid out in the sunlight to dry, as UV rays will cause some types of ballistic packages to deteriorate.
Damage:
Body armour should be visually inspected for damage or excessive
wear, every time it is worn. Never wear body armour that is damaged
in anyway. If damaged you should immediately contact the manufacturer
or representative to discuss repair options.
N.l.J. Threat Levels (National Institute of Justice U.S.A.) Basic Facts
Level 1 Now obsolete
Level 2A
This offers protection against all Level I threats as well as
.38 special +P; .40 S&W; .45 ACP; 9 x 9 mm; .357 may. Generally
with barrel lengths of 4 inches or less. This threat level vest
is the most common and is normally in covert style.
Level 2
Protection from all level I & 2A projectiles as well as 9
x 19 and .357 may. Generally with barrel lengths up to 6 inches
and .44 may. with barrel lengths of 4 inches or less. Commonly
used as covert style but is also used as overt in some countries.
Level 3A
This vest offers protection from all levels 1, 2A and 2 projectiles
as well as 9 x 19 mm at submachine/ carbine velocities and .44
may. With barrel length of 6 inches or less and shotguns using
00 & 000 buckshot.
This threat level was most commonly used in overt armour however with the introduction of newer, lighter fabrics there is a increasing demand for covert style.
Hard Armour Plates
These are available in a variety of shapes, sizes and materials.
Hard plates are mostly used in conjunction with a soft armour
with a threat level 2 or 3A, although there are plates specifically
designed to 'stand alone'.
Level 3
Designed to defeat multiple impacts from 7.62 x 51 mm FMJ or lesser
military Ammunition e.g. 5.56 x 45 FMJ, 12 g slug.
Level 4
This plate is tested with a single impact from a .3006 APM2 armour
piercing round.
Note: the use of "+ " after any specifed threat level
e.g. (3A+) means that the vest has been tested with extra or specially
requested ammunition types:
N.I.J. Threat Level Data
- Expanded
(This
data sheet includes Bullet Type, Barrel Length (in), Velocity
FPS MPS)
N.I.J. Threat Level Level
I
Protects against all ammunition listed.
Meets NIJ STD 0101.03 for Level 1 Armour including Backface Deformation
(Blunt Trauma). .22LR40 grainal O50 fps, .38 Special Lead
158 grain at 850 fps and lesser ballistic threats.
Bullet Types / Barrel Length (in) / Velocity FPS / MPS
.22 Cal. 40 Gr. LR / 6 / 1050 / 320
.25 Cal. Auto 50 Gr. FMJ / 2 / 810 / 247
.32 Cal. Auto 71 Gr. FMJ / 4 / 905 / 276
.380 Cal. Auto 88 Gr. JHP / 4 / 990 / 302
.38 Cal. Special 158 Gr. LRN / 6 / 850 / 259
.38 Cal. Special 158 Gr. LSWC / 6 / 850 / 259
N.I.J. Threat Level Level
2A
Protects against all Level 1 as well as all ammunition listed.
Meets NIJ STD0101.03 for Level 2A Armour including Backface Deformation
(Blunt Trauma) .357 Magnum JSP 158 grain at 1250 fps, 9 mm FMJ
124 grain at 1090 fps and lesser ballistic threats.
Note: .40 S & W is a lesser threat than the 10 mm round
Bullet Types / Barrel Length (in) / Velocity FPS / MPS
.22 Mag.. 40 Gr. FMJ / 41/2
/ 1180 / 360
.38 Cal. Special 125 Gr. SJHP+P / 6 / 1028 / 314
.38 Cal. Special 158 Gr. Lead + P / 6 / 1090 / 332
.38 Cal. Special 110 Gr. JHP + P / 6 / 1235 / 377
.45 Cal. Auto 230 Gr. FMJ / 5 / 810 / 247
.357 Mag. 158 Gr. JSP / 4 / 1250 / 381
.357 Mag. 158Gr.LRN / 4 / 1250 / 381
.357 Mag. 158 Gr. LSWC / 4 / 1250 / 381
.41 Mag. 210 Gr. LSWC / 4 / 965 / 294
9 mm 95 Gr. JSP / 4 / 1250 / 381
9 mm 100 Gr. JHP / 4 / 1250 / 381
9 mm 124 Gr. FMJ / 4 / 1090 / 332
9 mm 115 Gr.JHP / 4 / 1160 / 354
9 mm 147 Gr.Subsonic JHP / 5 / 1050 / 319
9mm 147 Gr.Jacket Hydra Shock / 5 / 1050 / 319
10 mm 170 Gr. JHP / 5 / 1175 / 357
10 mm 200 Gr. FMJTC / 5 / 1075 / 327
N.I.J. Threat Level Level
2
Protects against all Level 1 and 2A as well as all ammunition
listed. Meets NIJ STD O I 0 1.03 for Level 2 armour including
Backface Deformation (Blunt Trauma).357 Magnum JSP 158 Gr. at
1395 fps, 9mm FMJ 124 Gr. at 1175 fps and lesser ballistic threats.
Bullet Types / Barrel Length (in) / Velocity FPS / MPS
.41 Mag. 210 Gr. JSP / 4 / 1300 / 397
.44 Mag. 240 Gr. JSP / 4 / 1180 / 360
.44 Mag. 240 Gr. LSWC / 4 / 1200 / 366
.357 Mag. 125 Gr. JHP / 4 / 1450 / 442
.357 Mag. 110 Gr. JHP / 4 / 1550 / 473
.357 Mag. 158 Gr. JSP / 6 / 1395 / 425
.357 Mag. 158 Gr. Hornady / 6 / 1445 / 441
10 mm 175 Gr. Silvertip / 5 / 1225 / 372
9mm 124 Gr. FMJ / 5 / 1175 / 358
9mm 115 Gr. Silvertip / 5 / 1170 / 355
N.I.J. Threat Level Level
3A
Protects against all Level 1, Level 2A, Level 2 as well as all
ammunition listed. Meets NIJ STD 0101.03 for Level 3A armour including
Backface Deformation (Blunt Trauma) .44
Magnum lead SWC Gas Checked 240 grain at 1400 fps, 9mm FMJ 124
grain at 1400 fps and lesser ballistic threats.
Bullet Types / Barrel Length (in) / Velocity FPS / MPS
.44 Mag. 240 Gr.. LSWC Gas Check / 6 / 1400 / 427
9mm 124 Gr. FMJ / 91/2
/ 1400 / 427
.44 Mag. 180 Gr. JHP / 7 / 1500 / 463
Please Note: This data sheet lists a variety of generic factory
ammunition and their velocity when
fired from a specific length barrels. It is intended to help readers
select the correct threat level body armour for their requirements
however it is normal to select the threat level that will defeat
your own handgun
