PPSS Cell Extraction Vest – offering NIJ Level III (stab + spike) protection plus absolutely unmatched protection from blunt force trauma injuries.
‘Cell Extraction Vests’ are designed to offer the highest level of protection to those frontline professionals engaging with some of the most hostile, brutal, vicious and irrational human beings on this planet… many of which have taken other human lives in some of the most horrendous manner.
When we decided to create such crucial piece of personal protective equipment it was paramount to first discuss all design and performance issues with Correctional Emergency Response Teams (CERT), Tactical Support Units (TSU) and other serving Corrections and Prison Officers tasked with responding to incidents, riots, cell extractions, mass searches, or disturbances in prisons, possibly involving uncooperative or violent inmate.
However, before I continue I want to say a big ‘thank you’ too all officers who have kindly taken the time to assist us and provide us with absolutely critical information and sharing some of their experiences.
There is no question about it, professionals like them have above all the moral right to be issued with the best possible personal protective equipment… and I do genuinely believe our latest PPSS Cell Extraction Vests are the very best.
PPSS Cell Extraction Vest – Open Neck Guard
Of course, I very much understand frontline professionals critically questioning my claim to have just developed what we believe is the ‘toughest’ cell extraction vest on the market. However, I would like to respectfully point out that we have already developed some of the arguably world’s best body armour, effectively reducing the risk of workplace violence related injuries and even death.
Every time we have done so we have also created specific, transparent and honest videos highlighting the incredible performance levels of our equipment and the fact that we truly believe in our own products. Now we have done it all over again!
The following video is a 7:45min LIVE video demonstration (witnessed by several well respected frontline professionals) highlighting the simply outstanding performance of our new ‘PPSS Cell Extraction Vest’, certified against the stringent NIJ 0115.00 Level III (stab + spike) standard… the highest stab resistance protection standard/level out there. The physical demos start @ 02:50min
This video not only highlights the incredible level of protection from makeshift edged weapons, shanks, razor blades, hypodermic and tattoo needles (all weapons commonly found in correctional institutions around the world), but also the truly unmatched level of protection from blunt force trauma.
Blunt force trauma is – as its name would suggest – a severe traumatic assault in this case caused to the body with the sudden introduction of a blunt instrument used with great force. This can sometimes be caused by a kick, punch or blow, or by an attacker striking out at a victim with their hands, a large piece of wood, iron, or any item (fire extinguisher, chair, table, bricks etc.) that would cause heavy damage to the body or skull if impacted against them quickly. A great number of individuals who die from this condition do so because of the internal injuries they have received, which may result in nothing more than some exterior bruising.
We fully understand that the protection of such injury is just as important as the protection from edged weapon and hypodermic needles, hence PPSS Cell Extraction Vest offer a previously unheard of level of blunt force trauma protection. This year’s ACA Conference (American Correctional Association) will see the global launch of this new high performance body armour at the Salt Lake City Convention Centre on the 16th – 19th August 2014. Please come to see us at exhibition stand #424.
Unique Features:
Rigid body moulded panels providing an exceptional high level of certified protection against stabbing weapons including knives and spikes in accordance to NIJ 0115.00 Level III (stab + spike)
Weight: Approx 7kg (16.5lbs) incl extensive neck and groin protection
Areal Density: 12.5kg (27.8lbs) per sqm
Panel thickness: 7mm (1/3″) + foam backing
Body moulded collar parts providing extensive and complete wrap-around neck protection.
Design allows wearing the garment open and semi-secured in a state of readiness, to avoid heat stress and discomfort during periods of inactivity.
Design allows fully securing of the garment is extremely simple and fast.
Outer cover includes Molle webbing over the greatest possible area of the front and back.
Front opening means full securing of the garment is extremely simple and fast
Covers are made out of military spec Cordura® 1000D and include Molle webbing over the greatest possible area of the front and back.
Offering protecting from the following threats:
Blunt impact weapons, including hammers, clubs, bricks, snooker balls or light gym weights
High impact cutting weapons, including axes and machetes
Based on several reports and studies the ‘American Correctional Officer’ released a document a few years ago highlighting the fact that 33.5% of all assaults in prisons and jails are committed by inmates against staff, and that a correctional officer will be seriously assaulted at least twice in a 20 year career.
Our job is to design, develop and manufacture high performance body armor that will reduce the severity of the any potential injuries and the number of death within this demanding and challenging work environment.
In case you have any questions… please comment on my article or visit our global website www.ppss-group.com email my team info@ppss-group.com or call our UK based HQ on +44 (0) 845 5193 953
However, our own new U.S. based legal entity PPSS North America Inc. will also allow us to look after our U.S. and Canada based associates and friends and colleagues in the most efficient and effective manner, so please contact us in case we can be of assistance. Visit www.ppss-northamerica.com email info@ppss-northamerica.com or call 800-928-4802
PPSS Slash Resistant Homeland Security Base Layer… designed to offer concealable and effective protection to key arteries!
On 8th June 2012 I had the genuine pleasure to meet proud ex-infantry soldier turned prison officer ( and now very close friend of mine) Craig Wylde the first time… just two years following the horrific assault on him by full time criminal and triple murderer Kevan Thakrar.
The above attack involving Craig took place on 13th March 2010 at Frankland High Security Prison here in the UK, and left him fighting for his life, after he and two colleagues were brutally assaulted by the above ‘idiot’. Craig was left with a severed artery in his left arm after the incident, which has turned his life completely upside down. I have spent a few hours with Craig and his wife in our first more ‘professional’ meeting, and had to witness immediately what an enormous impact this assault and subsequent injury had on this gorgeous young family’s day to day life. It seems to be unbelievable, but nevertheless it is true, an ‘arm injury’ of this type can cause such immense level of distress, constant intense pain and test the strength of a family right to its core. Craig is currently reducing the amount of tablets he was taking in order to cope with all physical and psychological issues. The below image shows the open wound on the inside of his upper left arm, caused by a slash by Kevan Thakrar, using a broken bottle.
Craig Wylde’s cut/slash injury following the above attack in March 2010 at Frankland High Security Prison
Unfortunately it is a matter of fact that the personal safety and well-being of police officers is much more in the public eye, than the important service our prison officers do provide and the dangers these professionals face every single day. Somehow this is a little understandable (but wrong), as the public is certainly more keen to see police officers patrolling their neighbourhood and giving them a certain sense of security. Prison officers on the other hand a much more ‘out of sight’ end hence they do get forgotten a lot. I don’t know, but can you see the general public discussing the safety of prison officers? That’s a difficult one to imagine I guess. But, don’t prison officers deserve at least the same support, attention and respect like other frontline public services?
Mt friend’s genuine desire to improve the personal safety of his colleagues has so far fallen on ‘not very perceptive ears’. Nothing worthwhile reporting about has been done to make a difference to the safety of these professionals. Yes, glass bottles have been removed from most prison facilities.. but you will be fully are aware of the fact that sharpened table/bed frame legs, ceramic pieces (broken off from hand basins), razor blades melted into tooth brushes and similar edged weapon are much more ‘popular’ than glass bottles?
PPSS Cut & Slash Resistant T-Shirts
Following the above assault at Frankland High Security Prison in 2010, we have developed several ‘low-profile’ protective garments made out of our very own cut and slash resistant fabric Cut-Tex® PRO!
I am talking about 100% concealable slash resistant tops that can be worn underneath a prison/correctional officer’s shirt, in order to reduce the risk of slash related injuries, rapid blood loss and the risk of the potential subsequent death of an officer.
PPE in general is not about ELIMINATING the risk of workplace violence related injuries… it is all about REDUCING THE RISK within an environment where a risk has been identified! So in this instance let’s all be honest for a minute or so, and ask ourselves the question:
Is there a risk of assaults on prison officers within high security prisons and correctional facilities? YES, there is!
Is the risk high enough to warrant the general issue of some type of basic PPE? Yes, I genuinely believe so!
It’s very very similar to us wearing a seat belt in our car. We don’t use a seat belt today because we know for sure we have an accident today. Neither do we use a seat belt because we are scared or paranoid, worrying that we might have a crash today. No, not at all! The reason why we wear a seat belt is that we do understand that we have a much higher chance of survival in case someone is drunk, plays on his mobile phone or is otherwise distracted and crashes into our car, despite our own great driving skills we might even be able to claim.
The seatbelt is ‘unlikely’ to save our lives if the other person hits us front on with a speed of 10,000 miles in hour. However, it will ensure we survive the vast majority of all potential accidents… it is about REDUCING THE RISK!
Now back to the above question. How much do we really care about others? If my child is sitting on the back seat of my car I will make sure it is wearing a seat belt. If any of my loved ones is sitting in my car I will also make sure they are wearing a seat belt. If other people, in other cars, in other countries and on other planets decide they don’t like seat belts… that is their personal choice and I do not care! But I must say I do have an issue with decision makers ‘not allowing’ their colleagues to wear a seat belt or in this case any type of PPE!
So… how much do we care about the personal safety of prison and correctional officers, and are we willing to make a difference?
Based on Craig’s opinion and our own operational understanding, based on personal comments we have received from dozens of his colleagues from around the world, and based on my (and my colleagues) many years of operational frontline experience within law enforcement and high risk security operations, we ALL feel that high performance slash resistant t-shirts could be a real sensible option and solution, which makes unquestionable operational sense and would not restrict the wearers movement or restrict him in his duties. We are genuinely convinced that the severity of the injury would have been significantly reduced if Craig and other officers during other attacks in other prisons in other countries around the world would have been issued with such slash resistant t-shirt.
Please have a look at this:
Would such slash resistant t-shirts or tops eliminate the risk of workplace violence related injuries? No, it will not!
Will they reduce the risk of workplace violence related injuries? Yes, this is 100% guaranteed!
PPSS Slash Resistant Clothingis made out of 100% Cut-Tex® PRO (a highly acclaimed hi-tech fabric) and is already being worn by hundreds of homeland security professionals around the world. It has been tested to European, International and American cut resistance standards and offers previously unmatched cut, tear and abrasion resistance too.
Based on the particular product and garment design it is able to shield the following:
I would like to invite you to re-look into what can be done, and what you are willing to do, in order to improve the personal safety of these professionals.
I fully understand we have to ensure they do not look confrontational, aggressive or authoritative, and I also understand that we live in a world where access to financial resources is restricted.
However, what has happened to my friend has now happened. We cannot turn back the time. But what we all feel so strongly about is that SOMETHING must happen, otherwise we will sooner rather than later look at another fatality within this sector, which could be prevented by the issuing of the right type of PPE.
The fact of the matter is (as sad as it might be)… widely available statistics will tell us that it is unfortunately only a matter of time until another prison or correctional officer will be attacked, beaten, punched, kicked or stabbed (as much as we all will hate this fact). The statistics can of course not give us the name of the next person who will become part of this statistic… so our responsibility must be to ensure it is a) not our name, and b) not the name of our colleagues and employees. However, there is no question about it… it will happen. What will we/you have done in order to reduce that risk?
Please note we are also more than happy to offer our Cut-Tex PRO cut/slash resistant fabric to the manufacturer of your current uniforms or tactical gear or coveralls. This would enable them to incorporate this high performance material into your current uniform, especially vulnerable areas that really require such level of protection. This would effectively help protect your colleagues from potentially horrendous cut injuries.
If you wish to comment on this blog… simply enter your comment in the below box or email info@ppss-group.com call +44 (0) 845 5193 953 or visitwww.ppss-group.com
With immediate effect, BodyArmorUSA is our exclusive licensed distributor in the USA for our high performance bullet resistant vests, stab resistant vests and cut/slash resistant clothing.
BodyArmorUSA is a new online shop specialised to serve U.S. based homeland security specialists with some of the world’s best, lightest and thinnest high performance body armor.
Run by Benjamin Rakhman PPS, BodyArmorUSA fully understand all operational risks, threats and duties of those who serve and protect.
I am genuinely delighted about this new co-operation. I think it is without question, we have chosen a great and truly passionate online shop distribution partner for of our range of potentially lifesaving equipment.
PPSS Bullet Resistant Vest Model CV1 - sand colour
An exclusive licensed online shop distribution agreement covering the U.S. was signed recently, allowing BodyArmorUSA to also secure individual sales from individual homeland security professionals.
PPSS Group is a UK based company, aiming to effectively reduce the risk of workplace violence related injuries and loss of life by designing, developing and manufacturing only the very best protective equipment.
Already supplying police, border control, immigration, prison, customs and privately owned security firms around the world, PPSS Group’s key objective was to establish their brand in the U.S. and Benjamin Rakhman’s BodyArmorUSA will help us to achieve exactly that.
After having received numerous enquiries and orders from major companies from that part of the world PPSS Group have also decided to set up a new firm in North America. The company will be called PPSS North America. This firm will be run by Canada based, ex Royal and Navy Security/Military Specialist Bill Geraghty.
Precise details will be announced on 4th June 2014.
PPSS Group have launched one of the world’s thinnest, lightest and truly most exceptional concealable NIJ IIIA+ (NIJ 0101.04) bullet proof vests in 2011, with the personal safety of executive/diplomatic protection professionals and dignitaries in mind.
In September 2011 I decided to produce a video of me being shot by a Glock 19 from close range (using a 9x19mm FMJ 124gr live round) highlighting the exceptional performance of this great new bullet resistant vest.
Please view http://www.bodyarmorusa.com/ call 001-516-817-1666 and discuss any individual needs for our equipment with Benjamin Rakhman.
There is no question in my mind… BitePRO™ Bite Resistant Arm Guards (using 100% Cut-Tex® PRO) can very effectively help protect special educational needs teachers (SpecEd, SpEd or SPED) as well as mental health care professionals and other specialists within high secure hospitals.
BitePRO Bite Resistant Arm Guards can effectively help protect professionals specialising in special educational needs (SpecEd, SpEd or SPED), mental health care and those working within high secure hospitals.
According to an article by Helen Acree Conlon, MS, MPH, ARNP, titled ‘Human Bites in the Classroom: Incidence, Treatment and Complications’ it has been estimated that at least one half of the population will experience some type of bite in their lifetime. Human bites are the third leading cause of all bites seen in hospital emergency departments after dog and cat bites. Human bites can be the source of exposure to body fluids, transmission of communicable diseases, infections ranging from cellulitis to osteomyelitis, and joint deformity from septic arthritis.
According to data released by the UK’s NHS Security Management Service, mental health care professionals are far more likely to be attacked than other health care workers with a total of 38,958 assaults in 2008-09, accounting for 71% of attacks on health care staff during that period. However, the percentage of which involved human bites is unknown.
Mark Perry, appeared close to tears when attending theNASUWT (largest teachers union in the UK) conference in 2009 and telling fellow delegates of his experiences with disturbed ten-year-olds in Wrexham, North Wales. He described that on one occasion he was bitten so hard that blood was drawn.
Another delegate, Suzanne Nantcurvis, a geography teacher from Llangollen, North Wales, said she knew members who had been forced to pay for immunisations and protective equipment. ‘Biting is quite a big issue in special schools and when risk assessments are completed it is usual to put in the control measure of a protective arm guard,’ she said. (taken from UK newspaper ‘Daily Mail’, printed 16th April 2009)
BitePRO Arm Guards can prevent human bite injuries, which can subsequently be contaminated with pathogens. Transmissions of potentially life threatening viruses, such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C or HIV
Debbie Townsend, Physical Intervention Training Manager of the Oxfordshire Learning Disability NHS Trust (UK) says: “Human bites can cause both physical injury, risk of infection, soft tissue damage and psychological distress to staff. Whilst our staff teams are usually aware of the potential for bites from records of previous incidents and preventative steps are taken, additional measure to protect staff from a bite may be beneficial.”
I suggest we can say that bite resistant arm guards are clearly ‘beneficial’.
What can be the effects of a human bite, and how can bite resistant arm guards help?
We are all too aware that bite related injuries can become infected and mental health care professionals, special educational needs teachers and others could subsequently be contaminated with pathogens. Transmissions of potentially life threatening viruses, such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C or HIV are also a part of reality, hence I believe that BitePRO™ Bite Resistant Arm Guards (developed by UK based PPSS Group) can help protect the above highlighted professionals.
BitePRO Bite Resistant Arm Guards 'Version 2' (usually worn underneath a blouse, shirt or jumper and offering a lower level of protection than overtly worn Version 1 arm guards)
Looking at the potential and realistic consequences, especially following a human bite, we must look at all possible options in order to help protect mental health care professionals, teachers within special needs schools and others working within challenging sectors e.g. autism and severe learning disabilities, from such consequences. These consequences in the very worst case scenario can include death, in case a serious and incurable disease has been transmitted.
For these reasons, bite resistant arm guards have lately been issued to a number of professionals in countries around the world, successfully reducing the risk of workplace violence related injuries.
Please also allow me to point out that it is a very normal, natural and instinctive response when faced by a hostile to want to lift our arms and hands in order to defend ourselves and protect our head and facial area. However, we must acknowledge that this subsequently exposes our forearm and hands to a higher risk of danger of arm injuries.
BitePRO™ Arm Guards Version 4 (full arm guards) will protect your entire arms up to the shoulders.
In fact the majority of injuries found on police or security guards can be found on their forearms or open hands. These are classed as ‘defensive injuries’, indicating a person was defending himself rather than attacking the other person.
For me there is no question about it… cut and bite resistant arm guards will significantly decrease the risk of injuries and subsequently reduce the risk of infections and cross contamination.
UK based PPSS Group have now also launched an additional model of their ‘Version 1′ Arm Guards, offering additional (padded) protection from blunt forced trauma, protecting the wearer from the risk of infection following a human bites as well as effectively reducing the severity of potentially extremely painful bruising.
However, based on the many conversations I had over the past few years I can certainly confirm the main worry within most sectors seems to be the risk of infection.
Pleas take a moment and view our specialised online-shop, dedicated to BitePRO™ Arm Guards: www.BiteResistantArmGuards.com
BitePRO Arm Guards: www.BiteResistantArmGuards.com
If you want to discuss the potential use of bite resistant arm guards within your rganisation, then please contact our BitePRO™ Arm Guards Expert David Hopper. Please email sales@biteresistantarmguards.com
Take good care of yourself.
Robert Kaiser, CEO
PPSS Group
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For intellectual property/copyright reasons, Cut-Tex PRO labelled products cannot be sold and delivered to Germany!
I am very pleased to announce that we have recently decided to work exclusively with NIGHTGEAR here in the UK.
We have long looked for a leading and respected online shop… able to take weight of our shoulders in terms of dealing with the many individual inquiries we receive on a daily basis.
PPSS Certified High Performance Covert Stab Resistant Vests
Our customer feedback was loud and clear “we want an online shop we can visit, select our favourite PPSS bullet resistant vest, stab resistant vest or cut resistant garment, pay by credit card and benefit from a quick delivery”.
We at PPSS Headquarter are clearly specialised in offering all of our homeland security customers around the world the most genuine, professional and precise advise in regards to what body armour is the most suitable based on their operational duties, risks and threats… however… I also understand that some professional know exactlly what they want and prefer the convinience of a straight forward online transaction.
NIGHTGEAR’s online shop is without question the best I have personally seen… and having met their Managing Director at several occasions I also know how proud and dedicated these guys are. I strongly believe we just got ‘angaged’ with the best tactical gear online shop in this country and I very much hope our UK based customers will appreciate the decisions we have now made.
To view NIGHTGEAR’s online shop please click here:
Please feel free to comment on this blog. It would be a genuine pleasure to hear from you!
If you prefer to speak with me or my team about our high performance body armour and how they potentially can help you within your line of work… please call PPSS Group +44 (0) 845 5193 953 or email info@ppss-group.com or visit www.ppss-group.com
Personal Security Detail : JULIA GILLARD (Date: 26th January 2012)
Before going into technical specifications and other rather important aspects of concealable bullet resistant vests there is one thing I must say right at the beginning of my blog: To look after, or to be responsible for the personal security and safety of another human being and often members of their family is without question one of the very best and most rewarding professions one can be part of.
If this is something you are part of… please ensure you are looking after yourself just as well !
Your own security and personal safety
Your surely exceptional ability to collect and analyse all available relevant information, and turn it into real intelligence will make you be, or become one of the very best in your field… because you will be able not just to do an outstanding job in improving the personal security of your principal or dignitary, but also look after your own safety, as good intelligence will help you plan a few steps ahead and put effective ‘safety nets’ in place.
However, the matter of fact is that sometimes things don’t go to plan. That’s exactly when you really have to think and act quickly, make crucial decisions and rely on the gear you have invested in, prior to your assignment.
A high performance concealable bullet resistant vest must be part of this gear, and my comments here will hopefully provide you with information, which will allow you to invest in the RIGHT and BEST POSSIBLE body armour for you, based on your most realistic operational duties, risks and threats.
Please be aware that beside your weapon… your concealable bullet resistant vest will be the only piece of equipment that really can make all the difference between your life and death… between coming home safely or not at all!
Ballistic Protection Standards
PPSS High Performance Concealable Bullet Proof Vest Model CV1
Concealable bullet resistant vests are always designed as soft body armour. Very rarely do they feature front and rear pockets for additional hard trauma plates… that’s something you will find in overtly worn body armour, primarily in use in conflict or hostile environments e.g. war zones or politically unrest countries.
Subject to their stated protection level, concealable bullet proof vests can offer excellent protection from even the most powerful handguns and ammunition. Tested and certified protection can be offered from .38 Special and 9mm Parabellum, to .44 Magnum and .45 Magnum rounds, as well as Israel’s rather famous Uzi sub-machine gun (still one of my favourite weapons of all time).
Many countries around the world have their own ballistic protection standard. However, the best known and most respected one is known as National Institute of Justice (NIJ) standard. The NIJ standard is recognised and respected all over the world, in comparison to the British, German or other standards, which in most cases are more dominant or relevant within homeland security services in their own country or region.
Personally I wish there would be a single International Ballistic Protection Standard all body armour manufacturers have to comply with, allowing them to manufacture larger volume and offer them to government and homeland security agencies at a much better price… but I guess that’s a little too political for this blog. However, let me make it clear here… a single International Ballistic Protection Standard would make it MUCH easier for everyone to understand what exact protection level is the ‘right’ one for them.
Looking at this most recognised ballistic standard NIJ, what would be the best possible protection level you should be looking for? Well, the answer is simple. I strongly suggest you go with the highest possible protection level for ‘soft’ concealable bullet resistant vests, which is the NIJ IIIA ballistic protection level. I will get to weight and thickness issues in a few moments… but be assured they don’t need to be as thick and heavy anymore as they used to be.
Another high profile Personal Security Detail (PSD)
A NIJ Level IIIA tested and certified concealable bullet proof vest will guarantee you protection against 9 mm Full Metal Jacketed Round Nose (FMJ RN) bullets rom close range, with nominal masses of 8.0 g (124 gr) at a reference velocity of 436 m/s (1430 ft/s ± 30 ft/s) and .44 Magnum Semi Jacketed Hollow Point (SJHP) bullets, with nominal masses of 15.6 g (240 gr) at a reference velocity of 436 m/s (1430 ft/s ± 30 ft/s). It also provides protection against all handgun threats a body armour tested and certified to NIJ Level IIA and II will offer.
Only a very few concealable bullet proof vests manufacturers have recently taken ‘safety’ even to another level and offer body armour with additional protection from Tokarev Ball 7.62 x 25mm and Makarov 9 x 18mm, which is of great benefits to Personal Protection Specialists operating in Eastern European countries or the Russian Federation, or those facing realistic threats origination from this region.
Another thing I want to point out here is the risk of Far East manufactured body armour, especially those manufactured in China. I fully understand the financial pressure many of us are currently under, but when it comes to the purchase of a potentially life saving piece of equipment… please think at least twice! We have to accept that a Rolex is more expensive than a cheap watch, a Rolls Royce is more expensive than a Skoda and a trip to Kaiteriteri Beach in New Zealand is more expensive than a trip to the local coast (unless you are lucky enough to live nearby).
A tested and certified high performance body armour will not be cheap… but there is no doubt it can make a long operational day in the heat less demanding and is more likely to save your life than a body armour we have no real idea on HOW and WHERE it has been made.
A very informative video demonstration of one of the world’s most advanced high performance concealable bullet proof vests developed by UK based PPSS Group can be viewed here:
Weight
Body armour technology, manufacturing capabilities and body armour design have evolved a lot over the past 10 years. Body armour worn by the police and other enforcement agencies in most countries weigh in excess of 5kg or even 6kg and are often thicker than 20 or even 25mm.
Please let me assure you that this is totally unnecessary. It is a well documented fact that such weight will lead to stress, fatigue and subsequently to potentially fatal human errors. Innocent members of the public could get severely injured or loose their lives if a Personal Protection Specialist suffers from fatigue due to the excessive high weight of his body armour, and subsequently makes the wrong decision, within what will most likely be an ‘extremely stressful situation’ to start with.
Many body armour manufacturers are now capable of developing body armour less than half of the above weight, using high performance materials such as DSM’s Dyneema® SB71, Honeywell’s Gold Flex® and Gold Shield®, as well as DuPont’s Kevlar® XP are leading to a noticeable reduction and stress, fatigue and any other negative side effect.
I strongly feel that in case you are looking for a concealable high performance bullet proof vest, your body armour should certainly not weigh any more than 2.5kg in today’s day in age. Manufacturers have been competing hard in order to develop the lightest body armour in the world. They have pushed each other to completely new levels, hence concealable bullet proof vests weighing less than 2.0kg are now on the market, offering extraordinary ballistic protection. We at PPSS Group have developed our CV1 High Performance Concealable Bullet Resistant Vests around the operational requirements of those professionals who are in need for simply the very best out there. Now looking at our 1.65 kg light and just 6.5mm thin high tech body armour… we KNOW it is the very best out there.
Blunt Forced Trauma
What is ‘blunt forced trauma’?
Blunt Forced Trauma is the non-penetrating injury resulting from the rapid deformation of armours covering the body. The deformation of the surface of a body armour in contact with the body wall arises from the impact of a bullet or other projectile on its front face. The deformation is part of the energy absorbing process that captures the projectile. In extreme circumstances, the blunt forced trauma may result in death, even though the projectile has not penetrated the body armour. An escalation of the available energy of bullets and the desire of armour designers to minimise the weight and bulk of personal armour systems will increase the risk of blunt forced trauma in Personal Protection Specialists.
In order to be concealable or covert a bullet resistant vest needs to be as thin as possible. Now this is not as easy as we all would like it to be. The reason behind is the extremely dangerous risk of blunt forced trauma injuries. All modern materials being used to manufacture bullet proof vests make it literately impossible for a ‘bullet’ to penetrate. The much higher risk is the risk of blunt trauma injuries. The thinner the body armour, the more attention the manufacturer must pay to protect the wearer from such injury. I am sure you don’t fancy to see your body armour stop the ‘bullet’… but die later on in hospital from internal bleeding or other internal injuries!
Concealability
The aspect of concealability (is this actually a proper word?) is of immense importance… for you personally anyway, but even more likely for your principal. Of course, there are a number of high profile musicians, actors and other type of artists out there, who get a real kick out of being surrounded by ‘hundreds’ of massive guys who look as when they can easily crush you in one hand. However, the type of principal/dignitary I had in my mind when writing this blog is the high profile business executive and political, religious or cultural leader, who are much more likely to want you to blend in and be more ‘unnoticeable’ to the public. You might even be required to adapt to their dress code, which can range from wearing just about anything starting from a suit and casual wear right up to golf clothing and other sort of training gear… so your concealable bullet proof vests really wants to be 100% CONCEALABLE!
The fact is an assault might take place even when your principal is relaxed, surrounded by friends and colleagues… things sometimes happen… and we do not see them coming:
If the Bodyguard of Australia’s Prime Minister Julia Gillard in the above video was wearing a bullet proof vest on that day… we cannot see it… and neither can a potential assailant… and that’s exactly what you should be aiming for too!
Please note a good modern bullet resistant vest panel can be less than 10mm thin. In fact, some concealable high performance bullet proof vests are as thin as 7mm and with the assistance and backing of specially designed trauma liner they still outperform existing body armour, which used to be heavy, bulky, thick and restrictive.
Comfort
Comfort is about how you feel when you wear your concealable bullet proof vest. Weight, thickness and flexibility are three of the many aspects, which everyone should carefully consider before purchasing this type of protective equipment.
The wearability especially in hot and humid environments is also an important aspect. Please let me assure you that wearing a bullet proof vest will always make you sweat. The question is just how much?
In Middle Eastern countries, Australia, South America or Africa we have to accept the fact that temperatures can often exceed 40 degrees Celsius. For a Personal Protection Specialist wearing a concealable bullet proof vest in such condition is a serious ‘burden’ and this professional must be able to get on with the tasks on hand without excessive body heat implications or severe risks of dehydration.
Temperature regulating fabrics, such as Outlast® space technology (as used for all PPSS Bullet Resistant Vests), or moisture-wicking technical fabrics, such asCoolmax® are now being used as base layer for high performance bullet proof vests, making them ideal for those Personal Protection Specialists operating in hot and humid environments. I urge you to find out if your potential future body armour is offering this level of ‘luxury’.
As the CEO of PPSS Group (and as someone who has worn covert body armour in some rather challenging environments and circumstances) I can say that our bullet resistant vests have been trialed by, tested by and supplied to diplomatic protection units, special forces personnel, law enforcement officers and prison transport teams in countries around the world.
One of our best attributes is our confidentiality… we know there are some of our closest allies, associates and colleagues out there wearing our high performance bullet resistant vests… trusting our equipment. You know what? They really can !!!
Please feel free to comment on this blog. It would be a pleasure to hear from you!
If you want to speak with me or my team about bullet resistant vests and how they potentially can help you within your line of work… please call +44 (0) 845 5193 953 or email info@ppss-group.com or visit www.ppss-group.com
All bullet and stab resistant vests designed and developed by UK based PPSS Group offer protection from this all too realistic threat of today's society!
Hypodermic needles pose a serious and realistic threat to domestic front line professionals, such as private security, police and prison officers, as well as enforcement officers operating within Local Government’s Trading Standards, Licensing, Environmental Health and Housing.
Facing someone carrying a firearm or any type of edged weapon can be classed as facing a ‘real problem’, but many of us will know someone who has been shot or stabbed but who also has survived such assault… I strongly believe on a domestic level there is a realistic chance of surviving such assault due to type of ammo or edged weapon used… or lack of ‘skill’ by the assaulting person.
However, being attacked by someone waving a hypodermic needles at you and sticking it at anywhere into your body can potentially mean coming in contact with blood-born pathogens such as HIV and hepatitis C and this can potentially mean receiving the ‘death penalty’. In my personal and professional opinion this issue represents a much higher and more realistic threat, especially in terms of DOMESTIC front-line professionals e.g. Police, Prison Service, Civil Enforcement and Private Security Services.
There are many recorded incidents of HIV positive prisoners and civilians/criminals using a hypodermic needle as weapon, but the one which jumps into my mind right away is the one which occurred on 4th October 2012 when UK Police Officer Gemma Newman was stabbed with a hypodermic needles in her arm, by Police shoplifter Grzegorz Pajak who was claiming that he was indeed ‘HIV Positive’. She has since considered leaving front line policing due to ‘deep psychological distress’ a court heard.
I guess that the arresting officers would be pretty interested if their standard issued body armor guards them from such weapon.
PPSS Bullet Resistant Vest Model CV1 - offering outstanding protection form hypodermic needles... tested against VPAM KDIW 2004 standard.
Despite the opinion of many other experts, there are needle resistance standards out there, which might not be designed to test body armour against, but nevertheless can give professionals a very clear indication what level of needle protection a piece of personal protective equipment (PPE) offers.
ASTM (The American Society for Testing and Materials) has recently developed a new international standard, the ASTM F2878. This is a ‘Test Method for Protective Clothing Material Resistance to Hypodermic Needle Puncture’.
This test-method evaluates puncture resistance of protective clothing materials which may include: plastics or elastomeric films, coated fabrics, flexible materials, laminates, leathers or textile materials.
Please note that of course no single standard can replicate the conditions in which a needle puncture takes place, but testing to such standard must be seen as a good thing and will certainly eliminate some concerns a potential body armour wearer might have.
The EN 388:2003 (Protective gloves against mechanical risks) is another available test This is a test developed to verify the needle puncture resistance of gloves and has not been designed to test body armour, but again… it will indicate someone in need of needle protection that a specific product or material has been tested against a recognised standard and that it has passed such test.
PPSS Overt Stab Resistant Vests also offer unmatched protection from hypodermic needles as well as blunt force trauma.
If I personally would have to wear any type of body armour in order to protect myself from certain threats inclusive needles, then I would prefer to know that an independent professional expert had a look at it and states that it is as good as the manufacturer claims it is.
Even if none of the above tests have especially been designed to test body armour… it is simply better than no test at all. For me it would certainly be ‘reassuring’.
Every single body armour manufactured by PPSS Group is offering unrivalled protection from hypodermic needles and similar threats. Test reports are available upon request.
If you wish to discuss any concerns you or your colleagues might have please contact me or my team and call +44 (0) 845 5193 953 or email info@ppss-group.com or visit www.ppss-group.com
Frontline Housing Officers charged with solving bitter neighbourhood disputes and delivering 'bad news' are at risk of being assaulted. In my professional opinion it is without question that stab resistant vests can effectively help improve their personal safety.
Housing enforcement officers have always been at potential risk of verbal abuse and physical violence from members of the public.
Frontline housing officers carry out a range of highly sensitive work, such as collecting rent arrears and dealing with anti-social behaviour and sometimes very ‘intense’ neighbour disputes. They often have to deliver unwelcome messages, perhaps turning down a housing application, or a request for a repair which is the resident’s responsibility. I strongly believe that concealable or overtly worn stab resistant vests can help protect these professionals when being attacked by those expressing their anger via physical action.
However, recent reports also show the number of pre-eviction notices soaring by 26% across UK social housing. In fact, one in every 105 households in England is at risk from repossession or eviction, new statistics have revealed.
Housing charity Shelter’s research found ‘hotspots’ around the country where the chance of family losing its home is even higher. In Nottingham and Luton, one in 60 homes are at risk, whilst in Salford one in 61 is threatened. In both Newcastle upon Tyne and Wolverhampton one in 63 homes is at risk.
But the area where the threat of eviction or repossession is highest is the London borough of Newham, where as many as one in every 35 homes is at risk.
Shelter’s helpline is currently taking over 470 calls a day, offering support and advice to homeless families and those fighting to stay in their homes. With housing costs soaring and welfare cuts continuing to take their toll, the charity is bracing itself for a record number of calls this Christmas.
But who is dealing with most of the tenants who are either genuinely unable to honour their financial commitment of paying the due rent and also those tenants who simply cannot be bothered to pay the rent and those who simply feel they should not pay anything at all…. society in general or indeed the government owes them one?
Who will the bearer of bad news, verbally engage with some potentially disrespectful, intoxicated and truly hostile tenants, and who will at the end have to take the necessary physical action of evicting the tenant?
In simple terms it will most likely be the Housing Enforcement Officer.
The question we need to ask ourselves is what can and should be done to create the highest possible chance of these housing officers coming home at the end of their shift… unharmed?
PPSS Stab Resistant Vests have become a real necessity within Housing Associations and are worn by frontline housing staff in several countries around the world.
In a survey of 200 social landlords carried out by the Chartered Institute of Housing’s journal Inside Housing, a shocking total of 8,898 assaults on front-line housing staff were reported between January 2009 and April 2012, but please let us not overlook those assaults that remain unreported for whatever reasons.
Here is just a very small ‘chunk’ of this great article:
“The research also reveals the number of assaults that occurred between January 2009 and the end of March this year. There were 8,898 verbal and physical assaults reported by housing staff of the 223 organisations that responded to our requests – roughly eight a day across the UK.
Around 1,350 of those assaults against housing staff were physical attacks – more than one a day – with the remainder involving verbal abuse. Perhaps most worryingly, the number recorded has been rising year-on-year. In 2011, landlords reported 2,480 verbal assaults, which was a 13 per cent increase on the number logged in 2010. There was an even larger jump in the number of physical attacks recorded: 483 physical assaults were reported in 2011 – a 35 per cent rise on the previous year.”
Survey Results:
64% of survey respondents who do not report all assaults say incidents are ‘just part of the job’
84% of survey respondents have been verbally assaulted
38% of survey respondents who have been assaulted did not report all incidents to their employer
51% of survey respondents believe their employer is not always doing enough to protect them from assault
8% of survey respondents have had a weapon used against them
1% of survey respondents have been sexually assaulted
The following are just two news snips highlighting serious safety problems to housing officers around the world:
There are a number of reasons a widely reported increase of assaults on frontline housing staff. Firstly, there is increased pressure on residents as a result of the global financial crisis and the difficult financial situation many are in. This causes stress, which, some people express via verbally and physically aggressive action towards anyone who they perceive as being unhelpful or ‘not understanding enough’.
Housing Managers, led by the Health & Safety Managers, will conduct internal surveys, revaluate risk assessments, potentially make lone worker security devices available and stress the importance of really good training in conflict management and conflict resolution.
I personally feel very strongly that all of the above is truly essential, especially efficient and effective training delivered by someone who REALLY knows what he/she is going on about is just crucial.
However, we also need to understand that a lack of adequate safety measures can put an individual at unnecessary risk, and cause unacceptable injury or harm. Stab Resistant vests have therefore regrettably become a real necessity within Housing Associations and are worn by frontline housing staff in several countries.
PPSS Stab Resistant Vests (Body Armour) offer the highest level of protection from edged weapon, hypodermic needles and blunt force trauma. Weighing just 2.5kg and being just 5mm thin this type of personal protective equipment (PPE) has recently become an essential tool to combat workplace violence related injuries and even death.
PPSS Stab Resistant Vests are available as COVERT, OVERT or HI VIZ OVERT model!
Please view our following video:
Yes, I do agree… the risk of being shot or stabbed is not as high as some news writers might want to make us believe. However, the risk of someone ‘overreacting’ to you or your colleagues because YOU are just in the process of disconnecting the water, gas or electricity supply, the risk of someone taking aggressive physical action against you because YOU are trying to collect money/rent that person is not able or willing to hand over, or the risk of some ‘overreacting’ and willing to harm you simply because you are not willing or unable to solve their long lasting dispute with their much hated neighbour is a very REAL risk!
PPSS High Visibility Stab Resistant Vests
When such situation arises and when such person is calling you all the ‘A’, ‘B’ or ‘C’ words in the world and is throwing the first punch… a body armour can make a real difference.
A body armour will allow you to focus entirely on two objectives… your escape or your defence of your head… because it will be your body armour that will take care of your vital organs, your heart, your lungs and your kidney… and everything else hidden within your rib cage.
I have written this article in April 2013 and of course many things have happened since. Today’s rather interesting, but not surprising news “One in three ‘behind on rent’ since housing benefit changes” is highlighting the fact that a third of council tenants are behind with rent:
“The TUC’s False Economy campaign made Freedom of Information requests to all of Britain’s councils; 114 responded. Data revealed 50,000 tenants had fallen into arrears since 1 April 2013 when the housing benefit changes came in.”
It is without question that Council’s Housing Rent Arrear Officers will have their work cut out dealing with these tenants, with some indeed being polite, respectful and reasonable… however some being hostile, intoxicated and abusive.
If you want to speak with my team about stab resistant vests… please call +44 (0) 845 5193 953 or email info@ppss-group.com or visit www.ppss-group.com
PPSS Slash Resistant Homeland Security Base Layer, protecting key arteries from being slashed during physical confrontations.
Before I start talking about how strongly I feel about our latest slash resistant PPSS ‘Homeland Security’ Base Layers, please let us agree to the following:
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in general is not about ELIMINATING the risk of workplace violence related injuries or even death… instead it is all about REDUCING THE RISK of workplace violence related injuries and death within an environment where a clear risk has been identified.
Bearing this in mind we all will agree that prison and correctional officers all over the world operate within an environment where several realistic and clear risks or threats have been identified. The risk of a prison or correctional officer of being slashed and suffering from immediate rapid blood loss is real and has been well documented over the recent years.
It is a well-known fact that one of my now closest friends survived one of the most brutal assaults on prison officers in the UK in 2010, following the slashing of his Axillary Artery, which led to irreparable physical injuries and permanent psychological distress!
This image is highlighting Craig's injury following the attack of a prison officer using a broken ketchup bottle in 2010.
My team and I have spent countless hours communicating with 100+ frontline professionals within prison and correctional institutions in countries around the world to identify exactly what type of protective equipment or clothing these professionals demand or require.
The Top 6 ‘Conditions’:
Offer maximum cut protection to areas harboring key arteries
Breathable
Lightweight
Thin
100% Concealable
Cost Effective
As I said right at the beginning… I strongly believe that Slash Resistant PPSS ‘Homeland Security’ Base Layers are the answers to the prayers of many officers who sometimes fear for their lives or are anxious every day they go to work.
In order to comply with all of the above conditions we had to entirely focus on the protection of the arteries. We came to the conclusion that any stabbing injury could only be prevented by stab resistant armour and the issuing of such equipment was something that was perceived by almost everyone we discussed this matter with as too confrontational, aggressive and authoritative.
Our directive was clear… it had to be undetectable, concealable and breathable and comfortable enough to be worn for 12 hours nonstop.
Slash Resistant PPSS ‘Homeland Security’ Base Layers have been developed with only one objective in mind… and that is the effective protection of all key arteries from a cut or slash… but because it had to be 100% concealable and the desired garment could only cover the areas that was covered in the first instance by an officer’s short sleeve shirt and trousers.
Taking the above ‘surface area’ into consideration, in our professional opinion there are three key arteries that require the highest level of cut protection:
The cutting through of any of these three arteries would lead to rapid loss and the risk of bleeding to death within a short time frame would be real.
PPSS Slash Resistant ‘Homeland Security’ Base Layers feature a high level of cut and slash protection to the carotid artery (within your throat) + axillary artery (under your arm pit) using our high performance cut resistant fabric Cut-Tex® PRO, preventing rapid blood loss. In order to ensure the protection remains 100% concealable when the officer’s shirt’s top button are undone, the Cut-Tex PRO cut resistant fabric is sandwiched into two layers of Coolmax… making it invisible to another person.
We strongly believe that a more effective garments in terms of weight/performance/cost effective ratio is not available or possible with today’s manufacturing capabilities and technologies.
We believe these slash resistant base layers we have now designed following 100+ hours of extensive research it is the ultimate type of personal protective garment… leading to a massive reduction of workplace violence related injuries and future loss of lives within the prison and correctional institutions.
Please have a look at this:
PPSS Slash Resistant ‘Homeland Security’ Base Layers also offer a very low level of stab resistance from broken bottles or very wide blades around the stomach area… it will certainly help to slow down the blade. This garment can be made available without this particular ‘patch’ making this garment even more cost effective and lightweight… or indeed.. certain areas can be lined with TWO layers of Cut-Tex PRO significantly increasing the protection levels. This would however be subject to minimum ordervolumes.
We see the wearing of this type of personal protective equipment (PPE) very similar to us wearing a seat belt in our car. We don’t use a seat belt today because we know for sure we have an accident today. Neither do we use a seat belt because we are scared or paranoid, worrying that we might have a crash today. No, not at all! The reason why we wear a seat belt is that we do understand that we have a much higher chance of survival in case someone is drunk, plays on his mobile phone or is otherwise distracted and crashes into our car, despite our own great driving skills we might even be able to claim.
The seatbelt is ‘unlikely’ to save our lives if the other person hits us front on with a speed of 10,000 miles an hour. However, it will ensure we survive the vast majority of all potential accidents… it is about REDUCING THE RISK!
Seconds before fired at by a Glock 19 testing our high performance covert bullet resistant vest model CV1
Everyone who knows me just a little but is fully aware of my passion for a) the personal protection of frontline professionals and b) my company’s products. So much in fact that two years ago I decided to highlight the outstanding performance of our protective equipment by allowing another highly trained ‘unnamed’ professional to fire a live round at me.
We have designed and developed, and now supply the world’s best body armour to personal protection specialists, homeland security professionals and emergency services, and PPSS Group is fast becoming internationally recognized as a leading manufacturer and expert in this field.
In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of our ultra light, lightweight and concealable PPSS Bullet Resistant Vest Model CV1, the following Youtube video features me… strapping on our body armour and being shot, at a range of only nine feet, by a live round fired from a Glock 19 pistol… not to be ‘cool’ or ‘tough’ but to provide physical evidence of the fact that someone can get shot from close range but still be in a physical condition so he can either re-engage or get to safety.
Just 6.5mm thick and weighing only 1.65 kg, this bullet proof vest is the very latest in PPSS’s personal protection products. It wraps easily around the chest and is pulled tight with velcro straps and has specifically been designed for Personal Protection Specialist, Secret Service, Under Cover Law Enforcement and Sky/Flight Marshals.
Of course I was in considerable pain, but nevertheless., this video shows that our bullet resistant vests certainly do save lives… the fact is at the end of it all no round was ricocheting in my rib cage… and I was able to continue talking to camera.
PPSS’s ultimate goal is to become a world leader and the most respected company in the industry… and no one in my firm is having reasons to doubt this.
We fully understand that the protection of such injury is just as important as the protection from edged weapon and hypodermic needles, hence PPSS Cell Extraction Vest offer a previously unheard of level of blunt force trauma protection. This year’s ACA Conference (American Correctional Association) will see the global launch of this new high performance body armour at the Salt Lake City Convention Centre on the 16th – 19th August 2014. Please come to see us at exhibition stand #424.
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