|
Security Operatives are already well aware of the importance of body armour. However, most Security Operatives (SOs) in the UK will not consider a bulletproof vest due to the fortunate lack of firearms in the UK. Most will instead opt for a stab or spike proof vest, and yet all of these options can provide surprising benefits that many will not have considered. Any SO will tell you that there are a number of ways you can sustain an injury, and attackers will often use any and all available weapons against you.
Any weapon can be fatal in the right hands, and extremely serious injuries can be sustained even where no weapon is used. Your preparation and awareness will be your main defence against an attack, yet a bullet or stab proof vest can keep you safe against a wide variety of threats that you may not have considered. Here are just some of the things that a bullet proof vest can protect you against.
Sticks and Stones
Rocks, stones, and fists can all cause an immense amount of damage, and perhaps the easiest weapons to wield. Of course the range and power of each varies greatly, especially when it comes to fists, but all of them are capable of causing you an injury you may not be able to treat, particularly in the midst of an attack. Surprisingly, body armour can help protect you against these weapons, as the Kevlar in the vest will absorb and disperse the energy of the impact, significantly reducing the damage it causes.
Swords and Shields
Indeed, any handheld weapon with an edge or a spike. As humanity has proven over millennia, weapons like swords, axes, pikes, maces etc. can be used to deadly effect in even the most unskilled hands. These may be a rarity in modern society, but improvised weapons can mimic their design and purpose, and what they lack in range they more than make up for in damage. A stab proof vest cannot protect you against these weapons, as they will bypass the protective fabric. However, by simply adding chainmail or plastic laminate, a stab/spike proof vest will help stop you from being injured.
Bows and Arrows
Similar to the previous category, these spiked weapons- and others like it, such as spears or even improvised paper crossbows- are well-known to be deadly, though do require far more skill to be used to their full potential. Their advantage over swords and maces, of course, is their range. You could find yourself seriously injured by one of these weapons before you even knew you had been targeted. Just like the previous category, a bullet proof vest cannot protect you; though the Kevlar in protective clothing will mitigate some of the damage. Nevertheless, you will need a spike proof vest.
Claws and Teeth
It may seem ridiculous, but it is the job of an SO to be prepared for anything. Many attackers may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or simply desperate, and someone’s teeth can in fact cause a serious injury. Even without considering the risk of infection, a bite would be very powerful and potentially serious. Of course, some SOs may find themselves facing attacks from animals, and dogs in particular are extremely powerful and dangerous. While it is highly unlikely that you will choose to wear a stab proof vest specifically to protect against dogs and people’s teeth, it is useful to know that your body armour will help keep you safe against attacks like this. Kevlar vests can help protect you against the worst of these attacks, as the Kevlar can mitigate the impacts of attacks, while stab and spike proof vests will stop teeth, claws, and horns from penetrating.
|
