If you want to enjoy long lasting ballistic protection from your vest, then you need to preserve it properly. Most body armor in the US that have been certified by the National Institute of Justice all have an average life span of five years. This means that after half a decade, they would begin to lose their ballistic capabilities bits by bits. If you are a military officer or cop who makes use of the bulletproof vest every day, it is more likely to wear off faster than one that is just sitting on a shelve waiting for a duty call. An everyday-wear bulletproof vest cannot last up to five years if it is not properly taken care of.
With these tips, you might just be able to preserve it properly.
- Always wash and maintain your vest carrier from time to time. As you clean and dry the vest, it would last longer and prove to be more durable.
- Clean your ballistic panels properly with sponge and soap. When cleaning, try to use a mild soap and damp sponge to clean it. Avoid dry cleaning it or tossing it in a dryer! You would get the opposite of preservation.
- Do not iron your ballistic panels; it is the beginning of destruction for the panel. Ironing them can either make it burn or melt.
- Stand it up in a closet while drying it. Ballistic panels are made of high-sturdy fibers. So, if you shrink them while drying, you might never be able to get them straight again.
- As much as you can, avoid liquid, moist, or getting wet. The last thing you want to do is to go for a swim with your bulletproof vest on. Bulletproof vests lose their ballistic capabilities when immersed in water. This would make you more susceptible to a hit. Avoid moist!
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