Comparison and discussion of Body armor

DragonClaw

Emergency Medical Texan
2,116
363
83
DISCLAIMER I DO NOT THINK I'M IN DANGER AND NEED A VEST AND I WON'T BE WEARING ONE TO WORK.

I'm not looking for the "Pfft you don't need body armor" comments. Don't post them.


This is merely looking at opportunities. I only own a flack jacket and no real ballistic protection. I am into guns and stuff and almost bought my own body armor anyway.

That being said I still might want high vis or the navy/black carrier.

But I would like to hear about any pros and cons of buying it (such as spending a few hundred and not using it, I'm aware). As far as body armor goes is this a good company and a good deal if one was looking to buy it anyway?
----

So we can now wear body armor. In fact we are offered a one time discount from Safe Light Defense.

iiia and iiia+. 2 different kinds of vests.

I like pockets to I want the one of the bottom two. But I'm not sure if I want the high vis in case I'm not trying to be seen later. Don't ask me what I'd be doing sneaking around in body armor, just a habit to think of tactically advantageous situations. High vis would be nice if I say, don't want to be hit by a car and for some weird reason am kitted up. Don't ask me why I would be.

If I do end up going to another company (that might require body armor or be in worse Situations) or go LE, some places don't supply body armor. Might be good to already have a vest that fits

Thoughts on the company and vests offered?

They have a guarantee of the vests fitting and if you're shot, they'll replace it. How good are materials. Is the company well known?

Is the weight going to be much different between iiia and iiia+?

The first response with iiia+ was $569.00 and is $376.75. The iiia is 301.75.

All vests can be broken down into 4 payments.

The concealable one was $499.00 and is $324.25. At iiia it's 249.25.

Helpful or thoughtful responses?

 
Last edited:

E tank

Caution: Paralyzing Agent
1,574
1,425
113
Whatever you get, make sure you can remove the ballistic panels from the carrier so you can wash it...seems like a no brainer, but...not so much.
 

GMCmedic

Forum Deputy Chief
1,640
1,056
113
If youre going somewherethat requires body armor, they need to be providing it. That said, concealable is my personal preference for many reasons.
 

ffemt8978

Forum Vice-Principal
Community Leader
11,024
1,472
113
If youre going somewherethat requires body armor, they need to be providing it. That said, concealable is my personal preference for many reasons.
Because scenes stay safe once EMS arrives on scene? There are a plethora of situations where body armor could be needed that arise after your arrival, and it is fairly cheap insurance/peace of mind.

That being said, I agree with you about concealed being my preferred choice.
 

DesertMedic66

Forum Troll
11,268
3,450
113
While I do see the appeal of concealed I don’t think that would be the way I would go. Having it under your uniform would mean you will need a different size of uniform. So if you go a day or a certain time without wearing it, you will have to large of a uniform/shirt.

Concealed wear is also usually meant for it to be worn for an entire shift. Do you really need a vest on while doing a dialysis run or another very simple hospital to hospital transport?

An outer vest is much more simple to put on. Get a call with violence or responding to a bad neighborhood? Toss it on and you are good to go. Doing a IFT of 5 year old Timmy who needs an appendectomy? Leave that hot and uncomfortable thing off.
 
OP
OP
DragonClaw

DragonClaw

Emergency Medical Texan
2,116
363
83
While I do see the appeal of concealed I don’t think that would be the way I would go. Having it under your uniform would mean you will need a different size of uniform. So if you go a day or a certain time without wearing it, you will have to large of a uniform/shirt.

Concealed wear is also usually meant for it to be worn for an entire shift. Do you really need a vest on while doing a dialysis run or another very simple hospital to hospital transport?

An outer vest is much more simple to put on. Get a call with violence or responding to a bad neighborhood? Toss it on and you are good to go. Doing a IFT of 5 year old Timmy who needs an appendectomy? Leave that hot and uncomfortable thing off.

Ah yeah. I would have to buy extra shirts to fit that. I hadn't thought about that.

I was leaning towards the external iiia+ tbh.

I think I can maybe buy the external fabric thing to make it not high vis for like 50-60$
 

DesertMedic66

Forum Troll
11,268
3,450
113
Ah yeah. I would have to buy extra shirts to fit that. I hadn't thought about that.

I was leaning towards the external iiia+ tbh.

I think I can maybe buy the external fabric thing to make it not high vis for like 50-60$
I would check with your local management before making any changes to the vest as the blanket policy the company put out essentially said that external vests must be high vis and must have AMR/EMS in text.
 

GMCmedic

Forum Deputy Chief
1,640
1,056
113
I would check with your local management before making any changes to the vest as the blanket policy the company put out essentially said that external vests must be high vis and must have AMR/EMS in text.
Going back to concealed, there was a time 8 years or so ago, that AMR (at least local) was concealable only, that has since changed. Which is one reason why I vote concealable. Yeah it sucks to wear it on a transfer,but if you cant afford both, itll suck when you go to a company with that policy. A concealable vest can always be worn outside the clothes, the inverse is not always true.

An external vest is way more convenient, and I actually own one, (thought mine is total overkill), if I could do it again, I would go with concealable for professionalism and to do everything I can to not look like a cop.
 

GMCmedic

Forum Deputy Chief
1,640
1,056
113
Because scenes stay safe once EMS arrives on scene? There are a plethora of situations where body armor could be needed that arise after your arrival, and it is fairly cheap insurance/peace of mind.

That being said, I agree with you about concealed being my preferred choice.
I could have worded that better. What I mean is, if they require body armor as part of a uniform then they are responsible for providing it.
 

DesertMedic66

Forum Troll
11,268
3,450
113
I could have worded that better. What I mean is, if they require body armor as part of a uniform then they are responsible for providing it.
I agree. If it’s required then it should be provided. I will admit that I am actually a fan of how AMR/GMR is doing it. They partnered with a vest company to offer a decent discount plus you can use any uniform allowance to help pay for it. So if I want to get a vest I am only going to have to use $100 of my own cash and the vest is completely mine to keep should I separate from the company.
 

GMCmedic

Forum Deputy Chief
1,640
1,056
113
I agree. If it’s required then it should be provided. I will admit that I am actually a fan of how AMR/GMR is doing it. They partnered with a vest company to offer a decent discount plus you can use any uniform allowance to help pay for it. So if I want to get a vest I am only going to have to use $100 of my own cash and the vest is completely mine to keep should I separate from the company.
That is all new, Ive been removed from there since 2014 though. For $100 out of pocket buy whatever you want. Ive spent more on dumber things.
 

DesertMedic66

Forum Troll
11,268
3,450
113
That is all new, Ive been removed from there since 2014 though. For $100 out of pocket buy whatever you want. Ive spent more on dumber things.
It’s all division specific.
 
OP
OP
DragonClaw

DragonClaw

Emergency Medical Texan
2,116
363
83
Going back to concealed, there was a time 8 years or so ago, that AMR (at least local) was concealable only, that has since changed. Which is one reason why I vote concealable. Yeah it sucks to wear it on a transfer,but if you cant afford both, itll suck when you go to a company with that policy. A concealable vest can always be worn outside the clothes, the inverse is not always true.

An external vest is way more convenient, and I actually own one, (thought mine is total overkill), if I could do it again, I would go with concealable for professionalism and to do everything I can to not look like a cop.

Yeah and if you're getting shot at, do you think they maybe don't care?

Not being sarcastic but if your scene becomes unsafe and you're an ambulance crew. I don't think they're concerned about not shooting the "helpers".
 
OP
OP
DragonClaw

DragonClaw

Emergency Medical Texan
2,116
363
83
I would check with your local management before making any changes to the vest as the blanket policy the company put out essentially said that external vests must be high vis and must have AMR/EMS in text.

I meant for personal use. Like off the job and I don't want to look like a neon lemon

But I did not see the part where it says that. I'll re-read.
 

GMCmedic

Forum Deputy Chief
1,640
1,056
113
Yeah and if you're getting shot at, do you think they maybe don't care?

Not being sarcastic but if your scene becomes unsafe and you're an ambulance crew. I don't think they're concerned about not shooting the "helpers".
If were going to use the .0000000001% event as a scapegoat, you should also drive around with a nuclear bomb shelter.
 

ffemt8978

Forum Vice-Principal
Community Leader
11,024
1,472
113
I meant for personal use. Like off the job and I don't want to look like a neon lemon
...
This is why concealable has way more advantages than external. It can be worn and used in a variety of situations where an external vest would attract attention.
 

DesertMedic66

Forum Troll
11,268
3,450
113
Where all are you guys going off duty that you need to wear a vest for??
 

ffemt8978

Forum Vice-Principal
Community Leader
11,024
1,472
113
Where all are you guys going off duty that you need to wear a vest for??
Who said anything about need?

But to answer your question, in the past week I've been in Atlanta, Nashville, Detroit, Chicago and St Louis.
 
Top