"Out of Date" body armor
The ten-year useful life of a vest so much discussed has to do with some formula dealing with average use and median deterioration and a buncha stuff I never really studied in depth. My comments are only the semi-informed opinion of an occasional user.
Calculations of breakdown of projectile-resistant qualities are based upon a number of factors - - - normal temperature of the area where used, amount of sweat penetration, type storage when NOT in use, bending and folding, and others.
My first vest was the old Second Chance Super Featherweight, in the mid-1970s, when Richard Davis sent out ad material touting sixty-odd "saves." It was layered ballistic nylon and Kevlar. Shoulder straps and elastic body bands were sewn directly to the bullet resistant fabric, with no waterproofing and no separate carrier. They suggested that it be washed in plain water or a MILD soap solution, rinsed well, and drip dried on the wearers' days off.
I was already a plainclothes officer by then, so I never wore the vest on a daily basis - -only on high risk assignments, uniformed details and extra jobs for over 15 years. Since then, I've had two more vests, one given by a retiring friend, also plainclothes, and one issued. Both were nearly unused, due to nature of THEIR jobs. My only concern was if the vests had spent too much time in the trunk of a car. Heat is probably the worst enemy of Kevlar.
A patrol officer who religiously wears his body armor, say, 90 % of his/her working hours, is a high-end user. That vest may well lose 50% efficiency in only five years in the humid south. The same officer, working in, say, Minnesota, might have 80% left at ten years. I never wore a vest more than two shifts per week, and usually not twice a month.
If EITHER the carrier or, especially the panels of a vest are badly stained, creased, abraded, and frayed, then the useful life is seriously in question. If it has been stored flat, in a closet, and only worn a few hours a month, it is probably good for twenty years. Much pressure for new vests results from improved designs, for lighter weight, more comfort, and, let's face it, sales promotion.
Use of a vest is a gamble, like so much of life. There is an entire philosophy concerning risk taking, balancing the odds of trouble against convenience and expense. This applies to sidearms, automobiles, safety gear, and whether or not to drive in heavy traffic. Speaking of odds - - The first conceal able vests issued to Texas Highway Patrol were
FRONT PANEL ONLY!. Some genius in procurement figured an officer was most likely to be shot while approaching a suspect, and that front and rear vests were too hot and uncomfortable. Most thought the considerations were mainly budgetary . . . .
Good luck to you. Hope your vest never "stands the test."
Johnny
