The modern protective waistcoat comes in a variety of forms. Modern protective waistcoats can be adapted to suit almost any profile of your mission. A bulletproof vest can provide protection against ballistic, cold or even spiked weapons. This article will cover the basics of understanding modern body armour.
Plate carriers, platoon carriers, platoon carriers
The plate carrier itself holds the armour plate or soft armour (or a combination thereof) and then secures them to the body. There are countless different variations of armour carriers. They are what make a protective waistcoat adaptable.
A plate carrier can be designed to hold front, back and side plates as well as soft ballistic inserts. They may also be designed to have additional attachments, including protective soft armour for the neck, shoulders and groin.
Size and manner of wearing body armour
Wearing the body armour system correctly is a must. Many people who wear body armour on a daily basis are not even aware that they wear it incorrectly, thereby leaving themselves vulnerable. The top of the front plate should be in line with the top of the sternum. When the plate is positioned in this way, it will provide the most coverage of your vital elements.
The top of the back plate should be aligned with about half of your shoulder blades. This provides the most front and back coverage and ensures that it protects everything that the front plate also protects.
At first, the side plates may seem unnecessary to you. However, they are very valuable. They should be as high up in your plate carrier as possible without restricting your movements. Most modern carriers have adjustable side pockets. Raise the height of the side sumps for the plates to protect your lungs.
In terms of size, you’ll want to buy a carrier to suit your plate size. If you are using Medium plates (M), choose a plate carrier in the same Medium size. You do not want your plates to bounce or slide around inside the plate carrier when in use.
If you are concerned that the plate-belt fits too loosely or too tightly against your body, you can always buy a cumberbund belt in a different size, of course if your plate-belt provides for this (the vast majority of brand name modern body armour provides for this). The cumberbund belt will ensure that the waistcoat itself remains snug against your body.
Types and styles of ply-bearers (body armour)
There are many types of body armour on the market nowadays. The market is so crowded with tactical gear that it can be difficult to determine the type of plytocover system that fits your mission needs.
Concealed type
These carriers are made minimally bulky and lightweight, but with a consideration to get the job done: they hold armour at the maximum near the body. However, this does not mean that they are of low quality.
They are often used in two different situations. When they are designed for concealed wear, they are constructed with a low profile and placed under the wearer’s clothing.
This is ideal for professionals such as bodyguards or undercover agents who want to blend in with their surroundings. A bulky waistcoat under clothing or on top of clothing would be extremely visible.
Although they often have a low profile (low visibility), the armour inside can provide full ballistic protection. Sometimes VIPs who move around in high-preparedness situations can be seen wearing concealed armour over their clothing. Police officers also often wear concealed armour, usually under their uniforms.