Posted: 10/2/2012 11:32:39 PM EDT
| I am currently in a Paramedic program in a larger metro are and Monday night they advised us we were encouraged to purchase a vest if wanted. I am still a little up in there air whether or not I will buy wear one, but I do have money left over in a college fund for school "supplies". So I figure this is at least a chance to justify buying a vest. I am still debating level II or IIIA. Does anyone have a recommendation? How is the Galls Point Blank stuff, It looks like a good deal. I am not sure if it would be as comfortable as something else like Second Chance. |
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That's pretty cool. Also came here to add that I wear Safarilands IIIA offering and I like it a lot. We have a bunch that went to MSA and they have had issues. |
| I like that carrier, however they want us to wear concealable. On any given shift you could float from really nice parts of town to the shitholes depending upon the calls. There are no preset zones or post. I am going to try on some at the local cop shop and see the difference between II and IIIA myself. The Galls vest look very tempting price wise. |
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Look at Velocity Systems for inserts. I'd say a IIIA is the minimum level to start with.
VS also makes some nice light weight plates too - the PBZ. A nice carrier that is sort of concealable is the First Spear "Sleeper". Just one of many possiblities. Body armor, in my mind, is not something that you want to purchase based on price alone. Costs should be the last consideration. |
| We try to stage as often as possible but just like the cops the scenes you get shot on are the ones where everything seemed "okay". They have even had ambulances at red lights witness to and involved in shootings. Just last month an ambulance was shot up to finish the job on the victim Link. Another interesting fact I learned, in assaults as well as accidents vest can help protect you from injury. I have heard from several people that wearing a vest made an ambulance crash somewhat safer for them. I still am not sure if I will only wear it on night shifts or not at all but now is my chance to pick some up to have around the house. I was looking at price of the Galls brand not to be a cheap bastard when it comes to ppe, but because it is name brand gear but with a palatable price tag. Tomorrow I am going by to try some stuff on and see if I can work with a IIIA one for 10 hours. Thanks for the input guys. |
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Razor Level II
This will be my next purchase. Patrol officer in Denver Metro. |
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I should also note, this will be my fourth vest. I've had all IIIa and am moving to level II. PS Neves blows. Go to Precinct or Adamson. |