They've come a long way in both comfort
and design
By Ashley Foster, PCI #356
MUSC Department of Public Safety (SC)
An IPMBA member recently posted a question
to the listserve, asking for recommendations as to the best body armor for
bicyclists. Hopefully, the question is not whether one should wear the armor
but rather what kind, style, or brand to wear. Regardless of our assignment
or the weather conditions, we should wear our armor when on duty, not just
for us, but also for our loved ones.
In the past few years, body armor has come a long way in both comfort and
design, but it still serves the same ultimate purpose: to protect us in the
worst-case scenario, when - God forbid - a suspect gets the round off before
we do. It also provides some protection from blunt trauma such as falls,
strikes, or other impacts.
In the past twelve years, I have worn several types and brands of body armor,
including Safariland, Point Blank, Second Chance, and ABA. My department
currently issues ABA Extreme ZX, but I still prefer my Safariland due to
its fit, coverage, and ability to mold and conform to the body.
When choosing any armor there are several features to consider: weight, fit,
comfort, coverage, and ballistic capabilities. Armor weighing just over a
pound is currently available; however, it can be quite pricey, the fit is
only as good as the person fitting it, and if it doesn't fit, it will not
be comfortable. Ballistic capabilities should be rated for at least your
duty weapon, while certain assignments may require heavier armor, e.g., Tact.
Coverage, in my opinion, is as important as ballistics. Each armor manufacturer
pretty much has its own design, which affects coverage. It is important to
consider the position you are most likely to be in when dealing with
confrontation. ABA, for example, has a narrower front panel than rear panel;
therefore, the rear panel wraps around the sides, providing the side protection
to the lower torso and abdomen. The narrow design creates a vulnerable area
on the front corners of the body, unless you have the manufacturer cut the
armor larger. However, this creates an overlapping area on the front corners
of the body and can be extremely uncomfortable. The Safariland Armor is the
opposite of ABA. It leaves only a narrow gap of about 3/4 inch on the rear
corners of the back. Some other manufacturers and styles provide little or
no protection to the sides, which in a bladed position creates a dangerous
opening to the vitals.
Everybody has an opinion on which body armor is "best" - for them - not for
you. Shop around and make your own opinion.
When buying body armor, make sure it fits properly for bike riding. During
the fitting, the rep will have you sit in a chair as if driving and measure
your front torso length. Make sure that he re-measures this length while
you are on YOUR bike. The difference can be an inch or more. If it is left
too long, the armor can be pushed up into neck area, creating discomfort;
roll up on the bottom; and/or suffer premature wear and breakdown of the
armor and/or carrier.
I don't see a real need to have a set of armor for bike and one for regular
patrol. After reviewing numerous force-on-force incidents and spending countless
hours in training, I have noticed that during these situations, the human
body has a natural tendency to assume a position similar to riding. The knees
are bent, the upper body leans forward at the waist, and the dominant foot
goes back, like a football stance.
To the best of my knowledge, none of the manufacturers market a line of body
armor specifically for cyclists. Do yourself a favor, though. Contact the
manufacturer of your favorite body armor and ask about having it modified
for your specific needs as a bike patrol officer. The more comfortable it
is, the more likely you are to wear it. And that might just save your life.
Ashley can be reached at
fosteram@musc.edu. |
