12 answers you need to know about plate carrier | Plate carrier setup guide
1. What Are Plate Carriers?
A plate carrier, also known as a ballistic plate carrier, is a piece of tactical equipment that, when paired with ballistic plates, functions as a “bulletproof” vest or body armour. Plate carriers are frequently used by the military, police, and other tactical forces to shield them from multiple strikes and are detachable and dropped in an emergency.
Tactical plate carrier vests are used in conjunction with armour plates and have carrier slots for holding ceramic, composite, or steel body armour plates. Body armour plate carrier vests are frequently used interchangeably with the word “body armour.” Plate carrier vests are available in different of styles and sizes to accommodate a variety of possible hazards. You can choose from a variety of types depending on your operation, environment, or circumstances, ranging from minimalist tactical body armour for covert and plainclothes operations to heavier designed tactical armour for protection against high velocity, heavy calibre rifle fire.
2. Are Plate Carriers Worth It?
Plate carriers are lightweight tactical vests that can accommodate a variety of ballistic plates, significantly increasing their personal protection. When it comes to security, government agencies, the military, and law enforcement agencies ultimately rely on the best that money could buy. Plate carriers are the most adaptable type of defence that can be utilised on the battlefields. It is a vest that can be customised for usage in extremely harsh environments. Additional pouches can be outfitted to carry accessories like as extra magazines, flashlights, grenades, and other gadgets as part of your gear set. Sentry details, vehicle checkpoints, MOUT (Military Operations in Urban Terrain), Close Quarters Battle, and Rapid Response Force operations are examples of military scenarios when wearing ballistic protection might be beneficial. The fact that you are an obvious target is a recurring feature in the majority of these instances.
Plate carriers give superior protection against high-level threats, rifle rounds such as 7.62mm full metal jacket rounds, in the front, from the neck to the waist, as well as in the back, as compared to bulletproof vests that give protection against low-caliber firearms. These rounds are far more dangerous since they can be shot from snipers and assault weapons that can employ these types of ammunition. Due to the overall weight of the plates inside the carrier, plate carriers can be heavier than bulletproof vests. Despite the plate鈥檚 potential bulkiness, the protection they provide will be worth the investment in a long run.
3. How Can You Wash a Plate Carrier?
Maintaining your plate carrier in good condition might be the barrier between safety and equipment failure, or, at the very least, discomfort and a bad stench. Since your plate carrier is part of an official uniform, you’ll be probably obligated to maintain it neat and in perfect condition. Keeping the plate carriers clean is indeed essential because properly cared for equipment last longer and keep you protected.
Here’s what you shouldn’t do:
- Do not use bleach, strong chemicals, or domestic cleaning agents on your plate carrier vest as they might damage the fabric and leave your plate carrier vest useless.
- Any wire brush in your weapon-cleaning kit should be avoided since it will damage the fibre鈥檚 integrity.
- Never launder your plate carrier in a washing machine or dryer and avoid applying fabric softener.
Remove the plates and any attachments from the tactical plate carrier before cleaning it. The cleaning procedures are outlined below.
- Remove any loose dirt and debris using a brush.
- Scrape away accumulated mud and debris with a dull instrument, since sharp devices can abrade the fabric or poke holes in it.
- Spot-clean the plate carrier using a soft cloth and a light detergent, such as liquid dish soap diluted in water. As you clean, blot off any surplus water. Plate carriers that are stained or severely soiled can be gently scrubbed with a toothbrush or some other soft brush.
- If your plate carrier has to be cleaned, immerse it in a solution of liquid laundry detergent and warm water.
- Agitate the water by hand. If you’re using a hose to rinse it, the force may weigh down or harm the fabric’s strands. Rather dip the soapy plate carrier in clean water till all the detergent was gone.
- After washing, reshape the plate carrier and dry it indoors or in a shaded region outside. Once the upper surface is dry, flip it over.
4. Can I Wear a Plate Carrier in The Army?
Non-issued body armour and plate carriers are often not permitted in the army. However, it is dependent on the unit. Some task forces permit you to wear whatever you choose. In certain other units, everybody has their own Plate Carriers, and their army commander or unit head establishes their own regulations, either official or not.
5. Can You Bring A Plate Carrier on A Plane?
International travel to other countries, as well as domestic travel inside the country, entails rules that vary each country, with even larger variations for certain destinations. When it comes to body armour, each country has its own set of rules and regulations. You should study the rules of the state or countries you want to travel, as well as the legality and any related body armour restrictions. If the nation you’re travelling to prohibits civilian possession of body armour, you might be allowed to board the plane, but you could get in trouble once you arrive. Even if civilians are permitted to wear body armour in that nation, travel laws may prohibit them from doing so. Careful research can go a long way toward preventing avoidable issues.
6. Can You Dye a Plate Carrier?
We can dye a plate carrier by bleaching it and then painting it with colour dyes. Spray paint could also be used to dye the plate carrier. Bleaching should be done with caution since it might permanently damage the fabric if done excessively.
7. Can You Wear A Plate Carrier in Public?
Body armour is a kind of safety equipment.Wearing it in public is a legal question that is
determined by the country’s body armour regulations. In most nations, it is legal for all law-abiding individuals to acquire and use body armour in public for personal or professional purposes.Everyone has the right to keep themselves and their families safe.
Wearing body armour in public usually does not necessitate any extra paperwork or background checks. It is your duty to investigate if you are legally permitted to buy and use body armour in particular jurisdiction.
8. Can You Wear A Plate Carrier with A Backpack?
A backpack is one that you can comfortably carry on your back without having to raise it with your chest, while yet fulfilling its purpose admirably. It simply has to fit on your back and be adjustable.
A backpack might also be used to transport more ammunition, an MRE, cold weather gear, hydration, or a raincoat. However, carrying a bulky backpack is cumbersome.
9. Do Plate Carriers Come with Plates?
Most plate carriers do not include body armour plates, which must be purchased individually. However, the fact that there is such a vast variety of body armour plates available is fantastic.
There are Lightweight foam plates which are ideal for training and can shield you from BBs or paintballs. There are also bullet-resistant steel plates to slow down and, presumably, block an actual bullet from penetrating. There is also anything that falls in the between.
10. How A Plate Carrier Should Fit
A plate carrier may be worthless if not correctly fitted, thus make sure you know how to wear yours before heading to the gym to exercise or out into the field of duty. Insert your ballistic or weighted plates, as well as any safety or utility devices you’ll need for hands-free access to mission-critical equipment. Once your vest is completely loaded, you may secure the plate carrier to your body for maximum protection.
Body armour, whether worn externally or beneath a uniform or other clothes, must fit properly in order to give adequate protection while remaining fairly comfortable. There should be adequate space for mobility, but not be too loose. Too-tight plate carriers can impede movement and create small gaps between the plates, leaving the user vulnerable to possible assaults. Plate carriers should not be too long or too short since a carrier that is too short offers inadequate protective coverage, whereas a carrier that is too long meddles with a duty belt or combat gear.
Other considerations for a suitable fit include:
- The two front panels should touch but not overlap since overlapping might damage the panels, limiting the wearer’s range of movement even further.
- The gap between the wearer’s torso and the front panels should be the same as the space left after breathing deeply and exhaling, as this gap will help lessen trauma in the case of a projectile collision.
- There ought to be some tension while tightening the armor’s straps, and straps that are too tight could inhibit respiration during an on-foot chase because when the straps are too tight, the plate carrier can sit too high on the body, leaving the wearer’s torso largely exposed.
Considering new body armour may be stiff and require breaking in, it is a smart option to get acclimated to its feel by donning it when off duties until it starts feeling more casual.
11. Start Your Plate Carrier Setup
Plate carriers are rather simple to set up since you must select one that fits around the upper region of your body, from the chest to the waistline. You must ensure that it fits comfortably on your body while donning it. Try on different sizes until you discover one that is appropriate for you.
Plates should be placed in the carrier’s inserts if you’re installing them. The plate carrier’s shoulder straps might need to be adjusted so that the front aligns with your chest and does not sag. Before you go out in the field, have a partner assist you in making the necessary adjustments.
It is also not necessary to fill out all of the pouches on the plate carrier. You merely need to carry enough gear for the mission’s goal so that you may easily reach your accessories when the scenario calls for them. If you don’t want to wear plates for protection and merely carry ammo, you should consider using chest rigs in the field instead.
12. Plate Carrier Knife Setup
Any combat situation necessitates the carrying of a knife. The chances of having to use it are small, and so is the necessity for any of this equipment in such scenarios. However, it is something that should be included to your plate carrier.
Set up your smaller knife inside the cumber bund on the left side of your body armour. It is extremely compact and takes up practically no room.
As long as the knife is not too big, any decent knife will suffice.
So, these are the most important things you need to know about plate carriers and trauma pads. You can buy plate carriers online or in-person at a physical store. You can consider going through other articles and blogs to Check more Plate Carrier Designs