Bullet-proof vest
From the Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia that anyone can change
A bullet-proof vest (also called "bulletproof vest", "body armor" or "body armour") is a protective piece of clothing that covers the torso (chest, abdomen, and back) of a person. It protects the wearer from most pistol and revolver bullets and from fragments of explosive devices such as grenades. Bullet-proof vests are worn by police officers, soldiers, security guards, and people who are at risk of being shot (such as the leader of a country).
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[change] How do they work?
Bullet-proof vests contain many layers of tightly-woven fabric such as Kevlar (or hard, strong materials such as ceramic or titanium) which can stop the metal pistol or revolver bullets or metal shell fragments from going into a person's body.
[change] How much protection does a vest provide?
However, a person wearing a bullet-proof vest can still be seriously injured from the impact of the bullet on the vest. As well, a person can be injured or killed if a bullet or shell fragment hits a part of their body that is not protected by the vest, or if they are hit by a powerful rifle or machine gun bullet.
[change] Types of vests
The bullet-proof vests worn by most police officers and security guards are made with many layers of tightly-woven fabric such as Kevlar.
Bullet-proof vests for soldiers are heavier and stronger than the bullet-proof vests worn by police officers and security guards, because soldiers need protection from rifle and machine gun bullets. Bullet-proof vests for soldiers often have flat pieces of ceramic material or a strong metal such as titanium. These materials can stop bullets from many rifles and machine guns.
[change] See also
- Helmet- soldiers and some types of police officers (called tactical police officers) also wear helmets to protect themselves