Misconceptions About Soft Bulletproof Vests
A bulletproof vest is a single piece of protective equipment that protects fatal organs of the human body (mainly the heart, liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys, and some even the neck, shoulders, and crotch) from high-speed fragments, bullets, and other projectiles. The precursor is a key point of protection, as during wartime, face-to-face shooting is mainly used, and sometimes protective performance
Misconceptions About Soft Bulletproof Vests
Misunderstanding 1: Wearing bulletproof vests on the battlefield is safe and sound
This understanding emerged when bulletproof vests first entered the market, when people lacked the concept of bulletproof vests and believed that bulletproof vests could withstand any threat from bullets to the entire body. In fact, a bulletproof vest is a single piece of protective equipment that protects fatal organs of the human body (mainly the heart, liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys, and some even the neck, shoulders, and crotch) from high-speed fragments, bullets, and other projectiles.
The precursor is a key point of protection, as during wartime, face-to-face shooting is mainly used, and sometimes protective performance is improved by inserting a protective plate in the chest. Moreover, each type of bulletproof vest has a certain level of protection, so bulletproof vests can only defend against bullets within their bulletproof level.
The main function of bulletproof vests is to increase the survival probability of frontline combatants, rather than being a universal product on the battlefield. Even if wearing a bulletproof vest, it is still possible to be hit outside its protected area, and there is also a possibility of being hit by bullets higher than its protection level. In these cases, the bulletproof vest appears powerless.
However, bulletproof vests can greatly reduce the casualty rate on the battlefield. According to survey statistics, the proportion of fragmentation injuries from artillery, grenades, rockets, hand grenades, and landmines on modern battlefields is gradually increasing, accounting for 67% to 75% of the total casualties. Moreover, among the casualties, 82% to 87% were hit in fatal parts such as the head, chest, and abdomen, far exceeding the mortality rate of being hit in limbs. Wearing bulletproof vests can reduce the injury rate by 27% and the death rate by 40%.
Misunderstanding 2: Since bulletproof vests can withstand bullets, there is no problem with the threat of piercing bayonets and daggers
This understanding is quite common among users. On the surface, it seems that bullets can be prevented, and there should be no problem with the threat of sharp weapons such as protective knives and sticks, but in fact, it is not. Because the impact of high-speed bullets on bulletproof vests is different from the chopping and impact mechanisms of sharp weapons, the energy dispersion of the former is mainly achieved through the deformation of the bullet head, fiber breakage, and the propagation of shock waves, which disperses or consumes energy.
On the other hand, the puncture of the knife on bulletproof vests mainly relies on the principle of shearing, and the range of energy dispersion is relatively narrow, especially for bayonets with sharp heads that are more difficult to prevent. Of course, soft bulletproof vests have a certain anti puncture effect, and their anti puncture ability depends on the structure of the bulletproof vest (mainly the structural composition of the bulletproof material). If you want to achieve the standard requirements for puncture prevention clothing, you can only choose specialized puncture prevention clothing.
Misunderstanding 3: Light quality leads to superior quality
This misconception stems from the misleading behavior of businesses caused by people's incomplete understanding of bulletproof clothing products. Some merchants only talk about how light the quality is when promoting bulletproof vests with a certain level of protection.
In fact, this is an irresponsible promotion because it does not list the protection area of the product, and different grades of jacket materials also have a certain impact on the overall quality of bulletproof vests. For soft bulletproof materials, currently the main sources are ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers and aramid, and the materials come from two or three foreign manufacturers and domestic ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber weft less fabric manufacturers. Therefore, the materials are similar, but the main difference lies in the design.
The design content includes factors such as the protection area and insurance factor of the product. The larger the protection area or insurance factor, the higher the quality of bulletproof vests with the same level of protection. As for the insurance factor, it is related to the service life of the product and its defense ability against different killing powers caused by unstable factors of the bullet. Products with high safety factors have sufficient ability to prevent the decline of protective performance caused by prolonged use time and material aging, and can still provide sufficient bulletproof performance when the killing power of bullets fluctuates.
Therefore, it is not comprehensive to say how light the quality of a product is, and it should be related to the product's protection level, protection area, and materials used.
Misunderstanding 4: Economic applicability of hard bulletproof vests
There is a recognition in society that hard bulletproof vests are more economical and applicable than soft bulletproof vests. The reason for this is that hard bulletproof vests do not have the problem of service life, are stable and durable, and are cheap, less than half the price of equivalent soft products.
In fact, this is an incomplete understanding. Because hard bulletproof vests are bulky, heat conductive, and do not fit well with the human body, causing personnel to be unwilling to wear them. Not wearing them is equivalent to not having equipment. At the same time, hard bulletproof vests also have defects such as rebound and bounce, making them a potential source of ammunition during combat. So, isn't equipping hard bulletproof vests a greater waste and mistake?
Soft products are the result of technological development and social progress. Their bulletproof layer is made by laminating multiple layers of fiber fabrics (or weft free fabrics) and sealing them with dark waterproof fabrics. It is suitable for all-weather use, with small weight, softness, comfort, and is a substitute for hard bulletproof clothing. Of course, in the current situation of imbalanced economic development and tight funding, equipping an appropriate amount of hard bulletproof vests can also solve the urgent problem.
Misunderstanding 5: Comparing the advantages and disadvantages of bulletproof vests by comparing the number of penetration layers in live fire detection results
At present, when comparing the advantages and disadvantages of products in the market, the main focus is on the number of penetration layers of live fire detection results, and there is not much attention paid to other indicators.
In fact, this is not scientific. The determination of the bulletproof performance of bulletproof vests is mainly based on the symbolic indicators of penetration and non penetrating damage to the human body (i.e. the depth of the indentation of the backing adhesive). There are many types of materials, and the mass per unit area is also different. The lower one is only 98g/m2, while the higher one reaches 232-350g/m2. In this case, different bulletproof vests use different materials. Is it fair to compare their penetration layers?
The number of penetration layers is only a designer's consideration of the different energy dispersion methods of bulletproof vests, and has little to do with the quality of the product's bulletproof performance. Therefore, the only criterion for determining the bulletproof performance of bulletproof vests should be based on national and international standards, including the degree of penetration and the depth of indentation.
Comparing the performance of bulletproof vests is not only based on the single indicator of bulletproof performance, but also depends on factors such as the rationality of its design, protective area, quality, comfort of wearing, jacket material, whether it can meet usage requirements (such as all-weather), processing technology, etc.
Misunderstanding 6: During actual delivery and acceptance, the product should be tested as it pleases. Such products are the ones that can withstand practical challenges
This understanding seems reasonable, as bulletproof vests are mainly prepared for practical combat. But a little analysis will reveal that the research, development, and production of any product are carried out according to certain standards (including national standards, industry standards, or enterprise standards). Without standards, there is no basis, let alone comparison.
Therefore, its testing can only be carried out according to standards. Furthermore, as the industry standard for bulletproof vests, GA141-2001 is the culmination of years of research by many relevant professionals in China. Its regulations have fully considered practical needs, and products that meet this standard have broad representativeness and practical applicability. Therefore, product testing must be carried out according to standards.
Misunderstanding 7: Bulletproof vests can provide 100% protection against corresponding levels of bullets within the standard detection range
The vast majority of people, even some researchers, have this understanding. Although this is a common aspiration of designers and users, it is not realistic. Firstly, any product has a defect rate. In addition, there are many factors that can affect the instability of bullets (including bullet structure, charge amount, weapon performance, etc.), resulting in unstable killing power.
As a result, products produced according to standards may inevitably have uncontrollable situations. When designing bulletproof vests, the safety factor can only be maximized while meeting the usage requirements. To achieve 100% protection, all influencing factors must be taken into consideration. For soft bulletproof vests, it is necessary to increase the amount of materials used, so that the product will become heavy and thick, greatly reducing the comfort of wearing and losing the original meaning of soft bulletproof vests.
Today, with the increasing popularity of protective equipment, it is necessary to correct people's misconceptions and have a comprehensive understanding of it, so we should have a correct understanding of them.