Although a stab vest is mainly associated with police and security personnel, there is no reason why civilians shouldn’t wear them too. In fact, wearing a stab vest can be the difference between life and death in certain situations. Here are some tips on how to wear a stab vest comfortably and safely.
Wear a stab vest for comfort and safety:
- The most important factor in wearing a stab vest is that it be comfortable, so it is best to choose one with soft padding on the inside. This will also reduce the risk of chafing when worn for long periods of time.
- Security personnel should dress in accordance with their surroundings, so it would be wise to choose clothing that allows the stab vest to remain hidden underneath. Of course, if it can’t be hidden when wearing a contrasting shirt over the vest is an alternative solution.
- A stab vest should be worn high enough to cover the bottom of the ribcage; this minimizes the vulnerability of the vital organs which are located in this area.
- Another precaution to take is the use of a groin protector. This will protect security personnel from threats in this area, plus it provides some comfort when carrying out long patrols on foot
- When wearing stab-proof material it should be new and never washed or worn before; this is because washing weakens the material.
- It is important to choose a stab vest that can stop a knife blade from at least 30cm away.
Make sure the vest fits properly for optimal protection:
- The stab vest should fit snugly enough to prevent it from slipping, but also loose enough so that breathing isn’t constricted. Similarly, the straps of the stab vest shouldn’t cut into the torso; this will make wearing it uncomfortable and could result in injury if the strap is caught on something.
- At all costs, security personnel must avoid placing their hands or head underneath the flap of the stab-proof vest. If a knife punctures this area then hands and head could be seriously injured.
- A vital step when wearing a stab-proof vest is checking the pockets to see if anything sharp, such as pens, knives, or broken glasses can poke through it. Securing any items in these pockets is also important to prevent injury or discomfort.
- When security personnel is wearing a stab vest, they should always be alert of the surroundings and aware if anybody new approaches them. This will prevent an attacker from surprising the individual with a stabbing attack.
- To ensure that the stab vest is performing properly it should also be checked regularly for signs of wear or damage.
Be aware of your surroundings when wearing a vest:
Although a stab vest can save one’s life if an attacker tries to stab the individual wearing it, there is no guarantee that the knife will not break or ricochet off of the vest. Therefore security personnel should be wary of whether another individual may have a sharper, better quality knife. In this case, it would be best to attempt to escape from the situation if one is being faced with multiple attackers.
If stab-resistant material is used, then an individual should check that the knife blade does not break during a stabbing attempt to avoid injury. A final precaution that security personnel should take when wearing a stab vest is to ensure no one enters their personal space without being asked. This lowers the risk of an attack occurring while the individual is distracted.
Take care of your stab vest to ensure its longevity:
While wearing a stab vest is important, the most vital aspect of this accessory is making sure that it remains intact and in prime condition. If this protective equipment becomes damaged then one will be vulnerable to attack, so it’s vital to take care of your clothing and accessories.
- To ensure good hygiene when using a stab vest, security personnel should regularly clean it to prevent the build-up of sweat and dirt. This will discourage bacteria from growing on the material, as well as prevent an unpleasant odor from developing.
- To ensure a good fit, a stab vest should be hung up somewhere with a constant room temperature. Avoid placing a stab vest in direct sunlight or other warm areas as this will increase the chance of shrinkage.
- Stab-proof material should be washed regularly to remove all traces of dirt and sweat, as well as kill bacteria.
- One of the most important steps in maintaining a good condition for stab-proof equipment is checking that no sharp objects are inside it after wear. This includes removing any pens or broken glass from the pockets and ensuring that nothing is lodged in zips, fasteners, and buttons.
- Another way to ensure the longevity of one’s stab-proof vest is by repairing it before it becomes too damaged or loose-fitting. Purchasing a needle and thread kit allows an individual to easily mend any worn areas on their clothing. However, if the stab vest has been punctured, it is best to replace this protective equipment.
