Armory Sponsor
Posted: 12/10/2009 11:40:09 PM EDT
| what does it mean if a body armor is "releasable" . What are the pros, cons? |
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Releaseable means that the vest can be "released" from the body without a standard way to putting it on and off. There's usually a cord or buckles that can be used to pry to release the entire vest in one or two movements.
Normal of course means that the only way to get it off is to take it off as you "normally" would. Pros of releasable vests are that if you're trappbed in an overturned Humvee or MRAP and you can't get out, in a canal drowning fromt he weight of your vest, or wounded and need to get access to the site. Cons? Its usually more expensive than a normal vest. For civilian purposes there is not much of a benefit to buying the releasble version if you're considering price. |
| Releasable also can be inadvertently released if it should snag on something or in a scuffle. I had to fight off a overzealous soldier who wanted to cut away my kit once when I was injured, but I decided to keep it since the shooting wasnt over and I wanted to keep it on. I won. |
| Personally, I would only seriously consider releasable if I were working maritime operations. You fall into the water with 20+ lbs. on your chest it would be good to get it off in a hurry. Otherwise, a few buckles and velcro is not that difficult to get out of in a hurry. YMMV |
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