This
vest can save your life from deadly shots. We call them Bullet Proof Vests. However,
not all bulletproof vests are the same. To standardize the ballistic resistance
of personal armor against gunfire, the NIJ (National Institute of Justice)
Protection Levels are in place. The case is simple. NIJ Level establishes the
minimum performance and test methods for the Bullet Proof Vest. However, NIJ
Standard is concerned with ballistic resistance only, and not the resistance
against sharply pointed weapons.
NIJ Protection Level
NIJ Levels
The
NIJ Levels determine the ballistic resistance of the bulletproof vests/helmets
considering various variables like the range of shooting, muzzle velocity, the caliber
of the ammunition, and such. If you are intending to try the resistance of the
armor vest, make sure it is stuck against a sandbag and not a human being.
NIJ Level I
Consider
this level as obsolete now. You won’t live to see the next day if you go with Level
I.
NIJ Level IIA
Since
Level I is outdated, Level IIA is the lowest level of protection available
today. Of course, it is lightweight, more flexible, and easily concealable
underneath the clothes, but not so effective against the high-velocity bullets.
You have been warned. This Level is tested with a 9mm Full Metal Jacketed Round
Nose bullet at 1165 fps.
NIJ Level II
You
guessed it right. Level II offers greater protection than IIA against the blunt
force impact of the bullet while remaining concealable, lightweight, and
flexible. It can keep you safe (I hope) against all handgun armor up to .357 Magnum
Rounds.
NIJ Level IIIA
Level
IIIA is what most of the Law Enforcement Agencies use today for their Bullet
Proof Vests. It is considered soft body armor. Of course, it is a bit heavier
than its predecessor but still concealable. It can protect against 9mm rounds
up to 1400 fps as well as .44 Magnum Rounds.
NIJ Level III
Whatever
you do, never go against rifle rounds with anything lower than Level III, not
even Level IIIA. Level III is the first level of NIJ Protection that protects
against rifle rounds. This level is tested against 7.62 mm Full Metal Jacketed
Bullets traveling at the speed of 2780 fps. It is not soft armor anymore. And
it is heavier. But it can save your life.
NIJ Level IV
Okay…
This is where it gets interesting… Of course, I don’t suggest you face the
tanks with this BP Jacket, but you get the idea. Level IV offers the highest
basic level of protection against a 7.62 mm armor-piercing rifle with a
velocity of 2780 fps. It consists of hard plates, thus, heavier… So you better
strengthen your upper body.
BP Jackets aren’t failsafe.
Don’t
expect to make it alive even if you are wearing one. Of course, BP Jackets can
stop the bullets from entering your body, but you will still be exposed to the blunt
impact of the bullet on the metal plate. As a result, your vital organs may
suffer blunt impacts which can be deadly.
When
deciding on what type of BP Jackets you want, consider the situations that you
or your team will be exposed to. It doesn’t make sense if you are sending your
guys for crowd control with Level IV protection. Your guys aren’t gonna be
happy. Trust me!
©Linking the Myths 2021: Understanding NIJ Level Bullet Proof Vests
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