SHELBY TOWNSHIP, Mich., July 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Steve Russ, a retired Police Officer from the state of Michigan and inventor of the "Flak Vest Hanger(TM)," has introduced this New "Safety Innovation" into the LECM. A major problem within the Law Enforcement, Corrections & Military Community (LECM) is the deterioration of body armor's ballistic-resistant capabilities due to improper care and maintenance.
This problem is caused by men and women who wear this life-saving device or by their respective department heads/commanders who allow the following life-threatening methods of improper care and storage to continue. This may have already voided their warranties and caused premature failure to the ballistic panels.
These six most common ways to improperly care for your body armor could be fatal:
-- A wire hanger with the ends bent up -- the most destructive method used
today.
-- A wood hanger is stronger, but still just about as destructive as
above.
-- A "clamping" slacks hanger crushes the ballistic fibers and reduces air
circulation to the inside of the vest panels.
-- Hanging the body armor unsupported over a chair to dry.
-- Tossing the body armor in the bottom of a locker.
-- Storing the body armor in the trunk of your vehicle during high
temperatures and humidity.
The above methods create one or all of the following damages:
-- Folds, creases and rollover are weak points in the ballistic panels and
won't come out.
-- Prohibits and reduces proper drying and may enhance molds and odors to
form.
-- Damages the elastic shoulder straps, stretching them beyond their
memory point causing the panels to hang lower on the torso and induce
rollover. This damages the carrier also causing it to be replaced at
$99.00 or more.
One of the most frequently asked questions the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center (NLECTC) receives is "How long does body armor last?" Unfortunately, no definitive answer can be given to this question. Body armor is not a one-time buy. For example, if an agency determines that the ammunition threats that they face have increased, upgrading to a higher level of protection may be appropriate. An individual's body weight changes over time, and armor that no longer fits or is uncomfortable is likely not to be worn.
Since no two pieces of armor are exposed to identical wear or care, each must be evaluated individually. The national Institute of Justice states in NIJ Guide 100-01, "Age alone does not cause body armor's ballistic resistance to deteriorate. The care and maintenance of a garment, or the lack thereof, have been shown to have a greater impact on the length of service life. Armor that is 10 years old and has never been issued may be perfectly acceptable for use, provided that the rated level of protection is still appropriate for the typical threats faced. Conversely, 2- or 3-year-old armor that has been worn regularly and improperly cared for may not be serviceable."
Get more information on the "Flak Vest Hanger(TM)" at http://www.flakvesthangers.com/ or call Steve Russ at 1-586-677-1159.
This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com/.
Russ Innovations Inc.
CONTACT: Steve Russ of Russ Innovations Inc., +1-586-677-1159
Web site: http://www.flakvesthangers.com/
