A plate carrier can provide protection from the neck to your waist, in the front and back, which is crucial if you are looking to be in a high-threat situation. However, there are certain factors to consider, such as safety when using a plate carrier. You will only get the most out of your plate carrier if you use it the right way and follow the safety tips provided by the manufacturer.
The Fit
It is not unheard of for people to get injured using plate carriers simply because they did not buy the right fit. A plate carrier that is not installed properly might be very ineffective. Make sure you are familiar with how to wear yours. Include any features or utility attachments you will need for easy hands-free access to mission-critical equipment, then insert the plates you will be utilizing. For best protection, fit the plate carrier to your body once your vest is completely filled.
Whatever your task, get an adaptable, lightweight plate carrier for ease of mobility and performance. To make wearing additional load-bearing equipment more comfortable and easy, look for plate carriers that have been designed using the best quality materials.
Always put on your plate carrier first, then place the weight plates you need inside the pouches. After that, the webbing on the exterior is then attached with any MOLLE attachments you require. When your plate carrier is fully filled, place the front plate in the middle of your torso.
For a secure fit, adjust the shoulder and the side straps. This should give you a snug fit even while you are moving around. But to make sure, start moving around, lifting your arms in the air, twisting your torso, and bending over. Test the fit fast by performing a few burpees in your plate carrier.
Type of Plate Carrier
The type of plate carrier you choose can also make all the difference when it comes to comfort and safety. Some plate carriers are unique since they are often standalone items that are not as modular or expandable. The robust vest is an external carrier that gives 360-degree protection with ballistic panels that can be placed both in the front and the rear.
Better still, they come with front and rear plate compartments in addition to strips of MOLLE for tactical gear. With this vest, you can go from a basic level IIIA to more advanced level IV protection. It is incredibly adaptable and expandable, so you can easily find one that fits your specific requirements.
Hard armor PCs cover your clothing and are referred to as overt armor. However, Kevlar vests or hidden carriers can provide covert protection because they are nearly undetectable when worn under a shirt. These vests are often constructed from sweat-wicking materials that are comfortable to become drenched in.
You can't really hide a plate carrier when you're wearing it. You could try, but even if it didn't appear like you were hiding two televisions below your shirt, you would quickly become hot. That near to your skin, your carrier would also perspire, which would be bad for the fabric.
If you compare the profile of the plate carrier worn by the Marines to that of the hidden carrier, you'll see that the latter's shoulder region is larger, and its form is less svelte. This is so that it may be used for battle rather than cover.
Getting the Size Right
The size of your armor plate will determine what size plate carrier you should purchase, according to this general rule of thumb. It doesn't matter what size t-shirt you wear.
Choose the size that supports the plate you have if you do, rather than having to shop for new plates to fit your PC. Pay attention to the manufacturer's size specifications while looking at carriers. They'll be able to tell you just what size plates fit in that model's Small, Medium, or Large carrier.
If you don't already have plates, obtain the size you require and then base your carrier size decision on that. Don't go too big. There is a belief that you should size up your plate carrier and get a size larger than what you actually need to provide yourself with additional coverage.
Avoid doing that. Your added plate and substance will make you heavier, and you'll be carrying a heavy load designed for a person of a different size across a long distance. Additionally, it will take longer to get into a shooting position, which might have apparent consequences.
Practice
Rather than wait for the last minute, it's best to practice before you head out in the plate carrier. It goes without saying that the most comfortable manner to move when wearing a plate carrier is the same as when you're not. You ought to be able to access your first-line equipment, assume a shooting posture, reach your rifle sling, and move as quickly as you need to while wearing armor.
Go out and train with your complete loadout to make it happen. Follow your usual routine. Take note of anything that prevents you from moving quickly, holds you back, or otherwise throws off your muscle memory.
To guarantee that the equipment doesn't get in the way, practice from a low position. To ensure that the target doesn't move, practice shooting while moving. Practice switching from rifle to pistol if you're also carrying multiple weapons.
Safety While Cleaning the Plate Carrier
Keeping your plate carrier in excellent condition might be the difference between safety and equipment failure. Since your plate carrier is important for your safety, you should probably keep it clean and in excellent shape. Keeping the plate carriers clean is crucial since well-maintained equipment works better and keeps you safe.
Avoid using bleach or other harsh chemicals on your plate carrier vest since they might ruin the fabric and render it worthless. Before cleaning the tactical plate carrier, take off the plates and any attachments.
Ending Note
When talking about safety, we can't leave out the armored plates that go in a plate carrier. For starters, there is no bulletproof body armor. Armor is rated by manufacturers using NIJ standard threat levels. The body armor might be pierced by a bullet of a higher threat level even though NIJ-listed body armor will typically protect against projectiles designated by manufacturers at those particular threat levels. Keep in mind that when a bullet impacts too closely to the edge of the armor or too near to another hit, the armor may also be penetrated.
The label on your armor should be read carefully. Learn about the degree of protection it offers. Armor that the NIJ lists must include labels that specify the degrees of protection offered and provide a warning if the armor is not resistant to rifle fire or objects with sharp edges or points. Labels may also include extra safety warnings or information added by the manufacturer. For more in-depth information on this, you can always visit Shield Concept to find some great options in plate carriers and other essentials, along with valuable information on tactical equipment.
