Bulletproof vests are modern armor designed to protect the wearer’s vital organs from injury caused by firearm projectiles. The term “bulletproof vest” is sometimes considered a misnomer. Since the wearer is not totally safe from the impact of a bullet, it is rather a “bullet-resistant vest” than a “bulletproof vest’’. After deciding to buy a bulletproof vest, the buyer must look out for certain features in the vest.

Features of a good bulletproof vest:

• A good bulletproof vest should consist of a panel, a vest-shaped sheet of advanced plastics polymers that is composed of many layers of either Kevlar or Spectra Shield. The layers of woven Kevlar are sewn together using Kevlar thread, while the nonwoven Spectra Shield is coated and bonded with resins and then sealed between two sheets of polyethene film.
• The panel of a bulletproof vest provides protection but not much comfort. It is placed inside a fabric shell that is usually made from polyester or nylon.
• The side of the shell facing the body should be more comfortable. This is done by the manufacturers by sewing a sheet of absorbent material onto it.
• A bulletproof vest may also have nylon padding for extra protection.
• When choosing bulletproof vests to be worn in especially dangerous situations, it should have built-in pouches provided to hold plates made from either metal or ceramic bonded to fiberglass. These kinds of vests can also provide protection in car accidents or from stabbing.
• The vest strap should also be considered. Different devices can be used to strap a bulletproof vest on.                    
• Sometimes the sides are connected with elastic webbing. Other times they are secured with straps of either cloth or elastic, with metallic buckles.
• The size label on a vest is very important. It includes the size, model, style, manufacturer’s logo, and care instructions. It should also include the protection rating, lot number, date of issue, an indication of which side should face out, a serial number and a note indicating it meets NIJ approval standards.

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