What types of armor do modern riot squads wear? How much can they resist?
Modern riot squads typically wear a combination of protective gear to ensure their safety during riot control situations. The specific types of armor may vary depending on the agency or country, but here are some common components:
1. Helmet: Riot helmets are designed to protect the head from impacts, projectiles, and thrown objects. They often feature a hard outer shell made of durable materials like polycarbonate or ABS plastic, along with padding and a face shield or visor for additional protection.
2. Body Armor: Riot squads often wear tactical vests or chest protectors that provide coverage to the torso, shoulders, and sometimes the groin area. These vests are designed to protect against blunt force impacts and may have additional features like modular attachments for carrying equipment.
3. Shin Guards and Knee Pads: Riot officers may wear shin guards and knee pads to protect their lower legs and knees from impacts, kicks, or falls.
4. Riot Shields: Riot squads commonly use riot shields, which are large, transparent shields made of polycarbonate or other impact-resistant materials. These shields provide protection against projectiles, thrown objects, and physical attacks.
It's important to note that the primary purpose of riot gear is to protect against non-ballistic threats rather than firearms. The resistance level of riot gear primarily focuses on providing protection against blunt force impacts, stabs, and slashes from melee weapons, as well as protection against thrown objects and chemical irritants.
The level of resistance can vary depending on the specific gear and its design. Riot gear is typically tested and certified according to relevant standards set by the respective agencies or countries. However, it's important to understand that riot gear is not intended to provide the same level of ballistic protection as specialized ballistic body armor designed to withstand firearm projectiles.
If there is a need for protection against firearms, specialized ballistic body armor, such as bulletproof vests, would be required. These vests are designed to resist and reduce the impact of bullets fired from firearms, and their resistance levels are specified based on the type of ammunition they can withstand.
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