I believe body armor has its place for prepper/survivalist. Throughout my carrier I have treated many gun shot victims. Most of these people have been hit with hand gun projectiles but there have been a few from rifles and shot guns. I have also treated several police officer who wear shot and hit on the body armor. Modern body armor is a an invaluable piece of gear if you beleive you will be in an environment where you willl be taking fire from an advesary. The wounds to the victims of gun shots on soft armor are usually minimal with localized crushing tissue injuries and dispersed bruising. The officers involved have all stated it was somthing like being kicke by a mule. I talked to one officer who was hit in the chest by a 9mm round wile wearing soft armor with armor plates and he said at the time he though he had been hit but the adrenaline and threat focus caused him to keep fighting and put the subject down. To his rememberance the only injury was a 3" red spot under the armor. I have put together several sets of military issue Interceptor level 3 body armor with level 4 ceramic plates for my family to use in the event of SHTF. Each of the Interceptor armored vest includes 8 - 30 round AR-15 mags, IFAK, TK, radio pouch, fixed blade knife and 2 pistol mags. Each of the Interceptor vests weigh 29 lbs complete I have also put together a Black Hawk armored vest with level 4 penetrator ceramic plates. The black Hawk armored vest includes 10 - 30 round AR-15 mags, IFAK, TK, radio pouch, fixed blade knife and 2 pistol mags. The Black Hawk armored vest weighs 35 lbs. I also put together a plate carrier with stand alone level 4 penetrator ceramic plates. The plate carrier includes 4 - 30 round AR-15 mags, IFAK, TK, radio pouch, fixed blade knife and 2 pistol mags. The plate carrier weighs 30 lbs complete. Our SOPs state that during a SHTF event security personnel will wear armor and kevlar helmets.
