How effective is a Bullet Resistant Vest?

A bullet resistant Vest is not 100% bulletproof or effective but it offers good protection depending in the threat level faced and the protection level needed.

The bullet resistant vest has the capability to stop bullets and prevent it from penetrating the skin and cause wounds and damages. When a bullet is fired, the fibers of the bullet resistant vest capture the bullet, deform it making it into mushroomed shaped bullet so that it will not penetrate deeper and enter the human flesh. Each layer of the bullet resistant vest helps in stopping the bullet until its full suspension.

Although the bullet resistant vest is effective in stopping a bullet, the wearer cannot get away from the blunt trauma force caused by the impact of the bullet. This blunt trauma force may cause internal organ damages, broken bones as well as crashed wounds and lacerations. There are bullet resistant vests that are both effective in stopping a bullet and giving protection from blunt trauma force. But for an increased blunt trauma protection, you can use trauma pads or plates. Trauma pads are ballistic inserts that is added on the bullet resistant vest for added protection from blunt trauma injuries. It is made of layers of ballistic resistant materials or metal plates which may be removable or not from the vest. Make sure that your bullet resistant vest has special pockets designed for trauma pads.

A Bullet resistant vest is also not designed to give protection from sharp or pointed objects such as knives, arrows, ice picks and hypothermic needles. Sharp edged weapons can cut the ballistic fibers of the bullet resistant vest. It can penetrate the vest and cause wounds, stabs and slashes on the wearer.  If you want a vest that can protect you from these kinds of weapons, get a stab resistant vest.  

Also, the bullet resistant vest cannot give protection from steel bullets. To be protected from these, add ceramic plates or metal plates in your bullet resistant vest.