trauma plate

[ORlaw]

Hello all,

I had a quick question on trauma plates. I'm being issued a vest and I have the option of either using a soft trauma plate or a hard one. From what I've heard, the soft plate does a better job spreading out the impact of any rounds while the hard plate would be more effective at stopping edged weapons. I've also heard there is a remote possibility of ricochet w/ the hard trauma plates. Any suggestions, input? What are the pros and cons of either?

Thanks a ton!

[CanineCop]

I would go with soft. They are more comfortable, and minimize the possibility of ricochet. I have heard urban legends of hard trauma plates splitting and the sharp edges cutting through the vest but never from a reliable source.
The plates aren't that big, so your chances of being saved because the chiv hit the plate are pretty small. They're expensive but you can get a combination stab and ballistic vest.
Stay Safe, John

[modareguy]

I actually wear both. I too have heard the 'urban legend' of the ricocheting bullet. Is it true? I guarantee you someone on here will swear their friend's sister brother who is an officer in XYZ will claim it happened to him. I'm inclined to say that it is more of a theory than reality. Either way I wear a hard trauma plate and a soft one in front of it. The hard trauma plate is an excellent way to disperse trauma to the chest area from a human fist or even during a violent car crash. And the soft one will help prevent a ricochet in case those conspiracy folks are right (smirk)....

[JSavage]

This actually came up a couple of years ago. The fact of the matter is, a hard plate will not ricochette a bullet when impacted at any reasonable angle. Maybe if you were shot at from directly above you and it struck the plate at <5 degrees, it might ricochette. Otherwise, it will turn to mush on impact and envelope the round. The reall difference between hard and soft is that a hard plate uses up between 25% and 45% of the bullets energy by shattering. The fibers capture the rest and finally, the vest picks up the remainder, saving the internal organs from absorbing the shock. A soft plate does the same thing, a little less affectively, by creating a pillow of dense fiber, that absorbes more like 15%-30% of the impact energy.

Buy what you feel you will need. A hard plate is good for rifle, and excellent for large cal. hand gun. A soft plate has minimal benifit for rifle rounds but is great for handgun calibers.

Hope this helps.

Jim

[LeeRoy]

A hard plate is good for rifle, and excellent for large cal. hand gun. A soft plate has minimal benifit for rifle rounds but is great for handgun calibers.


Jim,

Be careful about this advice. Most hard trauma plates are not rated to stop rifle rounds. Level III and Level IV plates stop rifle rounds.

[JSavage]

Thank you Leeroy,

What I meant to imply was that if one were only concerned about handgun calibers, a soft plate would be fine. Never use safety eqiupment without first understanding its limitations, liabilities, proper implimentation, and how not to exceed these. Abide by the manufaturers instructions and stay safe.

Jim

[Yogis1097]

If you ever take a hard punch or kick to the chest you'd perfer a hard plate.

[NYC Auxiliary]

There are hard plates covered in the body armor material to prevent any riccochets.

[Squirrel_62]

I wear a soft plate, but only because they took away my hard plate when I turned in my old vest. The best answer if you are looking for maximum protection would be to wear both types of plates.

[ORlaw]

Thanks for all the help and insight. I really appreciate it. I get my vest later in the month :eek: