Stab Proof Vests

[Nic T]

I was wondering if any service provides stab proof vests and if so what did they think about them and if there was a service policy on wearing them?

The reason for this questions is that the ambulance service I work for in the UK has sent around a staff opinion pole on issuing stab proof vests to all of our emergency staff and from the early feedback it looks like we will be getting them . From a personal point of view I don't want them as I think it sends out the wrong message to individuals who will believe it would be open season on ambulance staff. Also I have concerns that a small number of my staff will rush into sitautions they should not be going near without police assistance.

Many Thanks
Nic T in the UK
:D

[dr-exmedic]

Well, you won't hear anything about stab-resistant vests from us Yanks...we're too busy issuing bullet-resistant ones (despite the drop in violent crime since 1991). :)

[RicanMedic78]

i find stab resistant vest to be more practical than bullet resistant ones. Its the EDP that has that hidden knife that'll come at u in the back of ur bus. As for the bullet proof kind, good, but not as necessary in my opinion unless ur area is heavily crime ridden... anyway, most scenes should be controlled by PD before moving in... hense "scene safety!"

[PureAdrenalin]

i find stab resistant vest to be more practical than bullet resistant ones. Its the EDP that has that hidden knife that'll come at u in the back of ur bus. As for the bullet proof kind, good, but not as necessary in my opinion unless ur area is heavily crime ridden... anyway, most scenes should be controlled by PD before moving in... hense "scene safety!"

It's 3am, good area, you get called for abdominal pain..next thing you know, you have a gun in your face with a psych pt demanding narcs..now what. We never know what we are walking into. The city I work in is a quarter the size of NYC where you work(500,000). PD has better things to do than respond to abdominal pain. We don't get scene control unless it's a violent crime. Gimme body armor over a stab vest

[RicanMedic78]

not saying a BPV is not good to have. Just saying that ur more likely to get stabbed by an EDP than get shot by a perp.

[dr-exmedic]

not saying a BPV is not good to have. Just saying that ur more likely to get stabbed by an EDP than get shot by a perp.
Probably, but I'd rather prepare for the worst case scenario...I'll take being stabbed in a bullet vest over getting shot in a stab vest any day. :)

[RicanMedic78]

Probably, but I'd rather prepare for the worst case scenario...I'll take being stabbed in a bullet vest over getting shot in a stab vest any day. :)

lol i guess u have a point...

[Nic T]

Thanks for the comments, our Chief Ambulance Officer has just announced a trial of the vest in key stations around the service prior to a final decision. I'll send the photos for you guy's to laugh at when we get them!!!!!:D

Regards
Nic T