Mixed-Use Protection
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[dcs_fancy_header bgcolor=”#ffffff” color=”#000000″ fweight=”bold”]We take a few shots at the Lifeshield Technologies Bulletproof Backpack in this comprehensive review by Steve Coulston.[/dcs_fancy_header]
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I have been sporting a new backpack these days. It is very light weight, stylish, comfortable to wear, roomy, yet not too cumbersome. It has organizer panels, an audio pocket, a laptop sleeve and special pockets for my laptop mouse and power cable. It even has a little section on the bottom that works as a cooler for your perishable snacks. Oh, and did I mention, it is bulletproof?
Why is this important? While we all hope and pray to never have to use a feature like this, it is nice to know that our backpack can also double as soft armor. Think about it. All too often disaster strikes unexpectedly, and folks wish they would have been prepared. This applies to natural disasters as well as man-made ones. The problem is even if someone has all the right equipment to help them out of said disaster, if it is not with you, it is basically worthless.
One only has to look at the news to know how deadly an active shooter situation can be. They can happen suddenly, with little to no warning. They are usually against unsuspecting, innocent people. They often take place in crowded spaces such as church, school, a shopping mall or place of work in order to be a public display of destruction. The backpack is an item that has everyday practicality and can also help protect you in a worst case scenario. It can be worn on the front or held by the stout carry handle to protect your vital organs. This would be helpful in protecting yourself or loved one in case you come face to face with an active shooter or if you are actively engaging the shooter. It can also be worn on your back. This might be practical if you are trying to separate yourself from the shooter. Often these shooters will target exits and shoot people in the back as they are trying to escape.
[dcs_img_center desc=”Bulletproof Backpack | Photo by Jody Lewis, Crossfire Photography”
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Earlier this year, Doug Marcoux who writes our Tactical Parent articles, posted on some of the features of this backpack. I can attest to Doug’s assessment that it is indeed a handy backpack and I continue to use it on a daily basis. What I really wanted to do with it though, was shoot it. Would it live up to its claims of being bullet proof?
The back pack is made by Lifeshield Technologies and can be ordered in two sizes, Adult and Child. They state that their pack has been “Independently tested to National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Type IIA rating by the H.P. White Laboratory, the leading small arms and ammunition research, development and testing laboratory and only independent ballistics testing laboratory in the USA.”
[dcs_img_center desc=”Bulletproof Backpack | Photo by Jody Lewis, Crossfire Photography”
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IIA protection typically covers many of your basic handgun from .22LR through .45 ACP. This is a key feature as most firearm related crimes are committed with a pistol of some sort. With that knowledge in mind, we set out for the range to go see if we could validate the claims. Once at the range we engaged the back pack with a variety of calibers from various handguns. We shot the same back pack from about 10 feet away with two rounds of each caliber to included, .22LR, 9mm, .40, .357 MAG and .45ACP. None of the rounds penetrated the pack. There was visible deformation of the back side of the pack due to the rounds impacting, however none of the rounds penetrated. We then took it a step further and put one round of 12GA 00 buck into the pack. The round hit with such force, it knocked the pack off the target stand. Once recovered, the pack had very noticeable deformation, yet no penetration. Impressive! Ok, I know this sounds bad, but I wanted to see the pack fail. Would it take a rifle round?
[dcs_img_center desc=”Bulletproof Backpack | Photo by Jody Lewis, Crossfire Photography”
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There was no doubt in my mind that a .223 from 10 feet would pass through the pack like a hot knife through butter, but I figured I would confirm it anyway. I happened to have an old laptop, so I put it in the pack as most people don’t walk around with empty packs. After re-mounting the pack to the target stand, I loaded up my ARAK-21 and fired one round into the pack. Upon inspection, my suspicions were confirmed. The pack will not stop a high velocity rifle round. It easily passed through the back and my laptop. Again, the pack isn’t rated for this nor did I think it would hold up, but it was still good to confirm it.
This pack is full of practical features you can use every day and has one feature I hope you never have to use. If the worst ever happens, it is nice to know you have a little extra security on your side. The pack cost $249 can be ordered from Lifeshield Technologies here: http://thebulletproofbackpack.com/.
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