Responder Ballistic Vest Side Armor Pouches

2021-11-11T15:10:39-05:00

Vendor: North American Rescue
Type: Body Armor
Price: 229.99

The North American Rescue (NAR) Responder Ballistic Vest Side Armor Pouches (70-0175 Black, 70-0177 Coyote Tan, 70-0178 Red) provide NIJ 0101.06 Level IIIA soft armor protection to the lateral flank zones via the Responder Ballistic Vest's cummerbund system. Designed for Fire/EMS rescue task force and daily wear applications, these PFAS-free side pouches integrate with the NAR Responder Vest platform to deliver complete circumferential torso coverage — front, rear, and lateral — against handgun threats and fragmentation.

Key Specifications

Specification | Detail
Manufacturer | North American Rescue (NAR)
SKUs | 70-0175 (Black) | 70-0177 (Coyote Tan) | 70-0178 (Red)
Protection Level | NIJ 0101.06 Level IIIA — stand-alone rated
Colors | Black, Coyote Tan, Red
MOLLE Compatible | Yes — MOLLE attachment points
System Compatibility | NAR Responder Ballistic Vest cummerbund system
Application | Lateral flank ballistic coverage — Fire/EMS, RTF
Special Threats | Tested for fragmentation and advanced handgun threats
PFAS Free | Yes — no polyfluoroalkyl substances
Worn Position | Attached to cummerbund, covering lateral torso/flank

Product Overview

The NAR Responder Ballistic Vest Side Armor Pouches complete the circumferential ballistic protection architecture of the North American Rescue Responder Vest system. While the vest's front and rear panels cover the primary cardiac, pulmonary, and spinal zones, and the cummerbund extends lateral coverage around the chest wall, the side armor pouches specifically address the flank zone — the lateral lower torso region between the cummerbund's coverage area and the hip. This is an anatomically significant zone: the lateral aspects of the liver, spleen, and kidneys, as well as the flanks of the abdominal aorta and lateral iliac vessel origins, are accessible to penetrating trauma from lateral and oblique shot angles.

The side armor pouches attach to the NAR Responder Vest's cummerbund system, integrating into the existing armor platform without requiring a separate carrier or mounting system. NAR's modular design philosophy allows operators to configure their protection level based on mission requirements and threat assessment: a base vest for daily patrol, cummerbund added for side coverage during elevated-threat activations, and side armor pouches for maximum lateral protection during direct threat engagement in the warm zone.

The PFAS-free construction of the side armor pouches aligns with NAR's commitment across their full Responder Ballistic PPE product line. Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — sometimes called 'forever chemicals' — are synthetic compounds that have been used in textiles for water and stain resistance but are associated with environmental persistence and potential health concerns with long-term exposure. For fire and EMS personnel who wear ballistic gear in close contact with skin on a daily basis over multi-year service periods, PFAS-free construction is a meaningful health and safety specification.

Complete NAR Responder Vest System Coverage

NAR Responder Ballistic Vest: Front and rear Level IIIA soft armor panels (front/back plate pockets for hard armor upgrade)

NAR Responder Ballistic Vest Cummerbund: Lateral chest/upper flank Level IIIA coverage, MOLLE

NAR Responder Vest Side Armor Pouches: Lateral lower flank Level IIIA coverage — completes circumferential protection

Responder Vest Abdominal Extender: Lower anterior abdominal coverage extension

Application: Fire/EMS RTF Operations

In active shooter and mass casualty incident scenarios, lateral threat angles are common. Responders working around casualties — crouching, turning, moving between patients — present their lateral torso to threat zones at angles that a front-rear-only ballistic configuration does not cover. For rescue task force Fire/EMS personnel operating in the warm zone with law enforcement partners, full circumferential Level IIIA coverage provides the maximum handgun protection that soft armor technology delivers, consistent with RTF protocols that recognize these providers cannot always control their angular exposure to threat sources.

See also: NAR Responder Vest Cummerbund on MED-TAC | Premium Body Armor Vests | IFAK Kits & First Aid