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Does Protective Gear Have to Be Uncomfortable?

Does Protective Gear Have to Be Uncomfortable?

Police tactical gear

Government data over a period of ten years has shown that as a whole, the nation’s police officers experience almost 60,000 assaults each year on average. How can we protect law enforcement officers while in the line of duty? Specialty body armor is considered one option, however it is important to also minimize assault attempts as well.

Tactical body armor is an ancient practice for keeping fighters safe. Thankfully, today’s tactical gear is made from lighter materials and improving all the time. Many police departments have strict guidelines on what their officers will wear. Here are a few tips on choosing an appropriate protective vest.

No Piece of Armor Is Infallible: Choose Gear Intelligently.

While bulletproof body armor has saved the lives of police officers, the term “bullet proof” is actually a misnomer. Even the best police tactical gear cannot stop every bullet; ballistics and range always play a big part. With this fact in mind, choosing a good protective vest comes down to level of protection, fit, and your department’s requirements.

The Levels of Protection In Police Duty Gear.

Protective vests come in several levels of protection. The highest rating will be resistant to most handgun ballistics, while the lower ratings are better for protecting against shrapnel or sharp edges. An officer whose job requires time inside a facility may prefer a lighter, more flexible vest with a lower rating. An officer whose job is to be interacting with the community would probably feel much more secure with a heavy vest that offered higher protection.

Protection Still Needs to Be Comfortable.

Any body armor needs to fit properly. A vest that cuts up to high under the arms, or one that is too loose in the torso, will become annoying to wear. This may discourage the officer from wearing the vest, which would be a mistake. It pays to try on many different types or brands of protective gear to find one that is truly comfortable. This is determined easily: when on, do you forget you’re wearing it?

Since 1978, New York City alone saw 87 police officers’ lives be saved by wearing the proper protective gear. Body armor is life-saving, but it has to be worn to be of any service. Each police department has its own rules and regulations regarding protective gear. When shopping for a good vest, keep your department’s requirements in mind.

Why You Should Look Into a Gymnastics Class For Your Kid

Gymnastics glendale az

Are you looking for a way to get your child into a sport, but all the usual suspects (soccer, basketball, field hockey, etc.,) aren’t working? Have you considered looking into a gymnastic class for kids? There are tons of benefits of gymnastic classes and gymnasts often go on to dance or cheerlead if they don’t continue to pursue gymnastics later in life. The skills your child will learn in gymnastics will stay with them for the rest of their lives and can help hone motor skills if started at a young age. Your child may be further inspired to try gymnastics or continue to practice by watching young gymnasts at the Olympics. For example, in 2004, Carly Patterson was only 16-years-old when she won the Olympic gold medal in Women’s All-Around gymnastics. So let’s talk about some of the benefits of gymnastics and where you can find gymnastics classes.

What are Some of the Benefits of a Gymnastic Class for Kids?
Gymnastics is a great way to keep your child active, in a day and age where more and more kids spend an increasing amount of time in front of a screen, whether that’s a phone screen, TV screen, or computer screen. Indeed, it’s estimated that kids now spend over seven and a half hours a day in front of some type of screen.

Given that it’s recommended by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that kids between the ages of six and 17 get an hour of physical activity every day, and that only one in three kids are physically active daily, gymnastics provides a great (and fun!) outlet.

Furthermore, kids will be able to hone their balance, flexibility, and strength through gymnastics exercises. Gymnastics can also be started young; the American Academy of Pediatrics says that it’s okay for kids between the ages of two and five to start gymnastics, as long as the classes are appropriate for their maturity and motor skills. Gymnastics can help kids develop these motor skills like tumbling, running, throwing, and catching.

Kids will also learn how to interact with one another as a team and also take personal responsibility in improving their skills.

Will Gymnastics Continue to Benefit My Child Later in Life?
Some gymnasts may not choose to pursue gymnastics past a certain age, in favor of taking up other sports like dancing or cheerleading. Interestingly enough, around 98% of all female cheerleaders used to be gymnasts. Additionally, having a disciplined athletic routine as a child can make it easier for some people to continue exercising all throughout their life. They may also have a better awareness of their bodies, like how far they can push it and what it needs to be truly healthy.

The skills learned in gymnastics, such as athleticism, balance, strength, discipline, and more, will serve your child well in whatever future endeavors he or she picks up. And, they may have lifelong friends from their team, as well as many positive memories from that time in their lives.

Where Can I Sign My Child Up for Gymnastics?

If you’re interested in a gymnastic class for kids
, consider seeing if there’s a gymnastic academy in your area, which will offer the most specialized training. Some gyms and sports centers may also offer a gymnastic class for kids and teachers there might be able to refer you on to other place or teachers, if they see potential in your child.

Talk to other parents in the area too and see if they have any leads on where you might find a gymnastics class and positive reviews of a few places. Of course, a localized Internet search can also yield many results quickly.

Get your child off to the right start in life when you put an emphasis on being active early. Gymnastics may lay an excellent foundation for them both physically and mentally and give them skills that they’ll take well into adulthood.

Find Out Why Body Armor for Police Officers is so Important

Body armor plates for sale

How much do you know about police injuries and fatalities? Unless you are on the force, you probably do not know much about the real dangers police officers face every day that they walk into their jobs. Unlike some professions when people go into the office, sit at a desk all day, and enjoy peace and quiet while they are working, police officers face potential injury and death each day that they show up on the job. That is one reason why it is so important that body armor for police exists along with a variety of body armor clothing options in order to ensure law enforcement safety each and every day.

Interested in learning more about how brave police officers throughout the United States are for facing potential danger every single day? Keep reading for more information about the realities of being a law enforcement officer in America.

4 Facts About the Dangers Law Enforcement Officers Face Every Day

When citizens see law enforcement officers wearing tactical gear or other types of body armor plates, it may spark fear. However, body armor for police is necessary in order to ensure the safety of law enforcement officers throughout the country. Without different types of body armor, these police officers would be subject to injuries or fatalities each day that they fight crime in the United States. Here are four facts about the dangers they face when they are on the job.

1. Gunshot wounds

Law enforcement officers are trained on how to use their guns if they ever need to defend or protect themselves against someone else. However, sometimes law enforcement officers have to face off against someone with a gun. In these instances, police officers risk their own safety and lives in order to take down a criminal. Due to this, there are many police officers who are injured or who lose their lives because of gun violence in the United States.

In fact, in the last 10 years, 30% of police officers who have died on the job were killed by gunshot wounds. All-in-all, gunshot wounds are the second leading causing of death for police officers. If a police officer is shot in the torso, the rate that they will die is 3.4 times higher if the police officer is not wearing the proper body armor for police. It is imperative that they wear armor vests and other tactical gear in order to help prevent any fatalities.

2. Killed with own weapon

Police officers have to be trained with their weapons. However, this does not always prevent injuries or fatalities. Some criminals are able to get the weapon away from police officers. At times, they even use the weapon against the police officer. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has found that, in the past 10 years, around 33 law enforcement officers have lost their lives due to criminals killing the police officers with their own weapons.

One way this can be prevented is if police officers wear the proper body armor. While body armor cannot protect all parts of the body, it can help in some instances. It is always encouraged that police officers protect themselves as best as they can.

3. Body armor regulations

More than 71% of local police departments throughout the United States believe in the power of body armor for police. That is why they require that their law enforcement officers wear the proper armor vests and other body armor every day they are on the job. Without such protection, more and more police officers could be injured or suffer a fatality due to an accident while serving on the job.

4. Dependability of body armor

Even when police officers are equipped with the best body armor, sometimes it is not enough to save their lives. Sometimes, ammunition from a gun can be so strong and powerful that it goes through body armor and injuries the law enforcement officer.

How do you feel about body armor for police and other tactical gear? Should police officers stay as protected as possible while on the line of duty? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

How Wild Boar Hunting Trips Help Keep The Environment Clean

Fallow deer

What constitutes a mediocre hunting trip? Don’t bother finding out! Hunting is one of the most popular recreational sports in the United States and a passion that sends millions of families, friends and individuals alike to surrounding forests in search of the ultimate weekend. Hog hunting trips are particularly popular in Oklahoma and nearby states for their ability to reduce strain on the environment while providing you with a trip you’ll never forget. What should you know before signing up at a hunting lodge? Take a look below and catch yourself up to speed.

Did You Know?

Time for some fun facts! It’s thought over 12% of the American population actively hunt or fish, which is nothing to say of those who engage in it semi-regularly or during family gatherings. That’s as many as 15 million people! Pigs are not actually native to North America, having been introduced by Spaniards over 500 years ago. This has led multiple states to having sizable hog populations, creating an entire subculture devoted to the art of the hog hunt. According to the U.S. Department Of Agriculture, our country is home to over six million wild pigs.

Environmental Awareness

There are environmental benefits to be had every time you gather up with friends for exotic hunting trips. The USDA has estimated feral hogs causing over $1 billion in damage around the nation due to depleting local crops and infecting water with numerous diseases. They can even erode the land around water resources due to their exploding population growth! Hog hunting is not just an engaging past-time, but a way to cull high numbers of hog and keep the environment as balanced as possible.

Boar Hunting

Whether you’re hunting sheep or hogs, you’ll want to know what you’re up against. Hogs reproduce at an astonishingly rapid rate, with some families producing up to 20 piglets every year. Feral swine populations have officially been seen in all 77 counties of Oklahoma, making this one of the best states if you want to try hog hunting yourself. The aoudad is popular for its stunning horns and large size, creating many impressive photo opportunities for hunters both lucky and skilled enough to find one. Also known as the ‘Barbary sheep’, it is anywhere from 88 to over 300 pounds.

Just Fishing

What if you’re less interested in catching a wild aoudad sheep and more curious about what fish you can roast up for dinner? Some like to do a little hunting, then relax with some fishing by the river with their friends. Wherever you stand on the scale, a good fishing trip should always have the right equipment for both locating fish and keeping them fresh on the way back to the RV. This includes sturdy line you can trust not to snap on you should you be lucky enough to snag the big one, as well as a portable refrigerator that can fit snugly in any boat.

Wild boar hunting (or aoudad hunting) trips are better when you’re aware of the competition. Drop by a hunting lodge and make sure you’re equipped before setting out!

Why Do People Love Custom Sports Jerseys

Padres jerseys

Across the globe, sports are beloved by fans of all types of sports. Whether the sport is baseball, soccer, basketball, football, boxing, rugby, or MMA, people love to watch sports and people love to play sports. One may wonder why that is, but if you really look at what goes on in sports it is so easy to understand.

I personally love sports but there is no question that you can look at sports on a basic level to understand that so much of the love of sports is based on tribal instincts that humans have had since they could first walk. People want to feel like they are a part of something and love the idea that their hometown is a tribe, a group of people, that they belong to and that they believe in.

People love sports so much that they are willing to spend money on not only the jerseys of famous athletes, but they even want to buy custom athletic jerseys. People want to feel like they belong to the team and they belong to a group. So let’s talk about why custom athletic jerseys are so popular.

Everyone wants to get their custom athletic jerseys based on their team which can range and vary depending on where people are born and even where they live now. People love custom athletic jerseys that include a custom Cubs jersey, a custom Diamondbacks jersey, a custom Dodgers jersey, a custom Giants jersey, a custom Mariners jersey, a custom Marlins jersey, a custom Mets jersey or even a custom Nationals jersey.

Even though Baseball was born in the United States it has now managed to spread across the world in terms of popularity to the point where now more than 100 countries are members of the International Baseball Federation. In 1903, the Boston Americans won the first World Series. The team with the most World Series wins, however, is none other than the New York Yankees and they have 27 titles which is amazing to think about.

The Major League Baseball, or MLB, managed to generate over $9 billion in revenue in 2016 which is an average of around $301 million per team. Keep in mind that over half of all people say that they are fans of a professional baseball team, so there is no question that Baseball is popular in America. Just about 23 million people will watch the World Series on television each year as well.

A lot of people will get custom athletic jerseys for the New York Yankees because as of July 2017, they have the most followers on Twitter in terms of MLB team accounts with over 2 million followers. People in New York are really serious about the Yankees as well and love to throw down some money getting their custom athletic jerseys for their favorite Baseball team.

As of April 2017, for the second season in a row, Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant had the most popular selling major league baseball jersey. The oldest baseball park still in use is Fenway Park, which debuted in 1912. In an average major league baseball game, 50 foul balls are hit into a crowd of about 31,000 people.

In Conclusion

There is no question that the popularity of buying custom athletic jerseys continues to rise in the United States. People love to put their own customized names on jerseys so that they feel even more like they are a part of the organization that they cheer for day in and day out. If you want to buy yourself or your family custom athletic jerseys then do it because people across the United States truly love to get involved with their team.

Is Professional Soccer Training Right for your Child?

Soccer schools in nj

It is back to school season and children all over the country are getting back into the swing of the busy school year. Soon, all of the extra curricular activities and sports will begin and children will begin tryouts and after school sporting practices. Soccer leagues will also begin during the September fall month and are a great school sport to enroll your children into.

Soccer leagues promote athleticism
After school sports are a great way to promote athleticism. Otherwise, children are tempted to head home after school and get on the computer or pull out their gaming system. Enrolling your child into an after school soccer leagues allow them to get the daily exercise they need, while also having fun. Both indoor soccer and outdoor soccer have athleticism benefits. Soccer involves running, walking, sprinting, and jumping, often for a full 90 minutes, ultimately increasing players? endurance. Also, enrolling younger children into soccer programs prepares them for the increased athleticism of higher level and professional soccer training programs.

Soccer leagues promote relationships
Some children find it difficult to interact with other children. Joining a sport is one of the best ways to encourage lasting relationships. In fact, recent surveys show that 62% of children playing organized sports in the United States play to interact with their friends. Many studies also show that the friendships made during sports tend to be relationships that last. These children have a common hobby, soccer, and are able to relate to that for many years to come. Even professional soccer training levels create a bond between teammates that cannot be developed in any other setting.

Soccer leagues prepare children for college sports
College level sports are often at an advanced level. Although you can join a college sport as a first timer, the individual might find it difficult to keep up with. Enrolling your child into younger aged professional soccer training will prepare them for college level soccer. These expert soccer training classes can also make your child eligible for college scholarships. Each year, roughly 433 soccer scholarships are available to boys and 806 for girls, soccer camps, and soccer tours can be a great way to get coaches and recruiters attention. Most of these soccer scholarships, however, are given to students who have had professional soccer training lessons.

Soccer leagues increase academic success
School sports, especially soccer leagues can also increase academic success. Parent?s main goal is usually to see their children succeed academically. With many schools, especially at the college level, requiring athletes to hold minimum GPAs to participate, soccer can be a great incentive. Students can learn soccer skills, while also learning to appreciate the importance of academic success. Additionally, with the goal of many soccer players being to make it to the college sporting team, they are also required to keep up GPAs to get into the college of their choice.

Where to start
If you have decided that an after school soccer league is the best sporting opportunity for your child, you are probably wondering where to begin. The first step is to find out about soccer leagues and try outs at your child?s current school. Even if the current school does not have soccer, you are likely to find soccer leagues within the community. In these leagues and camps, students will learn to play soccer and will receive many of the same advantages listed above. The soccer coach will work with each new participant and your child will learn to enjoy the sport of soccer.

The sport of soccer encourages athleticism, academic success, and social relationships. Professional soccer training gives athletes the advanced training they need in soccer, to make it to college and even professional level soccer leagues. You will never know if your child will enjoy a professional soccer training league until you enroll them into one. So, keep an eye out or look for local soccer training leagues.

The Role of Wakeboarders in Preventing Infestation of Invasive Species

Aftermarket ballast system

If you are the kind of person that delights in water sports, it’s imperative that you understand the risks brought by invasive species. Invasive species refers a non-native species such as fungus, plant or animals species that have been newly introduced to an area. These include things like herbs, mosses, shrubs, fish, seeds, insects, or eggs. But how are these invasives related to your water sporting activity? Well, as you’re cruising along the lake through high and low wakes, you are also moving species from one point to another.

It is estimated that in 2015, about 3.2 million people participated in wakeboarding in the United States. Considering this figure, you can imagine the number of invasives that have been carried all along. When these species enter new locations, they pose a great danger to both human health and the environment. They disrupt natural habitats and affect the local economies, especially in areas specializing in fishing. Hence it’s important to know the kind of precautions to take in curbing the spread of invasive species.

Use a filter
An eco-conscious invasive species filter is an important tool for the boating community. This specialized system helps to eliminate invasive species that might hide beneath the boat and reduce the chances of transporting them from one region to another.

Clean, drain and dry your boat
Before and after every boating trip, it’s recommended that you thoroughly clean and remove any trace of mud or plant from your boat. This is very important because plant and dirt attached to your boat and motor can host invasive’s eggs. Experts advise the use of a high-pressure hose or salty water in cleaning up the boat. After that, you leave your boat to dry completely before using it again on a foreign body of water. In addition to cleaning your boat, you need to wash your sports equipment.

While there are other invasive species prevention techniques, installing an eco-conscious invasive species filter and ensuring your boat is clean are simple and effective ways that guarantee you an invasive species free environment for wakesurfing.

Repairing a Hot Tub Often Requires a Professional

Nordic hot tubs for sale

Fall has arrived. The fact that you are getting ready to clean the sauna again, knowing that it has not been used for months, is getting old. The sauna purchase seemed like a good one at the time, but that good idea has passed. Your daughters are no longer interested in a small hot tub, and they opt for the pool instead. Even you and your husband rarely take the time to use the hot tub anymore. The fact that you are again cleaning a hot tub that is not even being used means that you have made decision. This will be the last time that you clean the sauna. Instead, you will be placing your back yard spa on a list of saunas for sale.

Whether you are looking at a list of saunas for sale because you want to understand the price you might put on an item you have for sale, or you are looking to make your first hot tub purchase, research is always important. Buying a high quality sauna also means that you will need to pay high quality attention to both the maintenance and upkeep.
Backyard saunas for sale come in a variety of price ranges, according to their sizes and other features. Purchasing a backyard sauna is a great way to create a gathering spot for your teenagers and their friends. It can also be a relaxing way to end an evening after a long day at the office.

Consider some of these facts and figures about the hot tub industry and the features that are the most popular in the top of the line spas:

  • A well constructed hot tub can range in price from as high as $15,000 to as low as $5,550.
  • 18 or more years is how long a well-constructed hot tub can last.
  • 21 million U.S. households owned a spa, pool, or hot tub as of spring 2014.
  • Even an empty hot tub can easily weigh close to a 1,000 pounds.
  • Hot tub water temperatures should never exceed 104 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommendations.
  • Although some people may try to install a hot tub themselves, these installations are the most safe when the are installed by a professional electrician. The average spa or hot tub installation costs around $3,500 to $12,000, according to House Logic.

It does not make any sense to continue to pay for the use of hot tub at a club, especially when you can purchase one yourself.

Why Every Police Officer Should Wear Body Armor

Ar500 steel plate targets

Police officers are expected to serve and protect while risking it all in the line of duty. Shooting reactive targets on the practice range is a far cry from the on-duty experiences that law enforcement faces on a daily basis. Over the past ten years there have been close to 60,000 physical assaults on members of the police, according to data from government sources. Last year, more than 65 police officers died as a result of criminal actions, and 62 of those were killed by a gunshot. The need for adequate protection for all police officers couldn?t be clearer.

Body armor clothing can play a significant role in saving the lives of those who have sworn to protect the public. In fact, over a 30 year span, more than 3,000 police lives have been spared as a result of bulletproof body armor and other forms of protective clothing. Shootings are the second leading cause of death for law enforcement officer, after car accidents, with gunshots making up more than 33% of all police officer deaths in the last decade.

In New York City alone body armor clothing has been responsible for saving the lives of 87 law enforcement officers in the period since 1978. Those who do not wear ballistic body armor are 3.4 times more likely to die from a gunshot wound than those who do wear police duty gear. No body armor is 100% effective against all types of ammunition, but most types of body armor can offer protection against certain bullet types, while other types offer resistance against other weapons such as knives. Although as much as 71% of all local police departments required that such body armor clothing is worn as of 2013 statistics, there are still many that don?t.

Ensuring that all police officers are afforded the opportunity to use this saving gear is vital to the continued effectiveness of the police force, yet falling police budgets make it difficult for all departments to do so. Law enforcement safety should be a priority to safeguard police so that they can continue to do their job. By lobbying local departments and government, the public can play a role in ensuring that police officers have the tools needed to do their jobs effectively and safely.

Here’s Why You Should Consider A Travel Soccer Tour

Planning a soccer event

Have you thought about a travel soccer tour? It is essentially a trip to a destination, typically internationally, to watch a series of exciting soccer games. It includes tours of the country, to appreciate the unique cultural experience and how soccer fits into the culture of the country. If this sounds like the perfect trip for you, you are in good company! According to a survey done in 2012 by Sports Travel Magazine, 27% of all trips taken that year were for the sole purpose of attending an organized sporting event. Additionally, 90% of all trips in general included some sort of sports activity. That is a large percentage of people who appreciate sports! Let’s learn about some benefits you may not be aware of yet of an active sport such as soccer, facts about soccer around the world, and why you should consider travel soccer tours.

First, here are some health benefits of playing soccer. Soccer is mainly cardio; a professional soccer player runs 3.9 miles (48 kilometers) during a typical soccer game. The constant cardio helps a person to have a strong heart and lungs, as well as muscles and be fit in general. Because of the endorphins released during exercise, it also has emotional health benefits. In a recent survey of students, of those who only exercised zero to one day each week, 35.7% reported feeling sad for two weeks or more in the past 12 months. However, of those who exercised six to seven days a week, the number was reduced to 25.1% who felt sad for the same amount of time. Participating in an activity such as soccer can also have long term benefits. It has been found that young people who play sports at eight times more likely to have an active lifestyle at age 24 as their peers who did not play sports as an adolescent. Also, a survey of 400 female corporate executives showed that 94% played a sport; 61% of them say that has had a contribution to their career success. Promoting an active, healthy lifestyle in individuals when they are young definitely instills confidence and can contribute to success for the rest of their lives!

Next, here are some facts about soccer around the world that may help you determine where to go on a travel soccer tour. Organizes soccer has its roots in England; the rules of the game were drawn up in 1848 at Cambridge University. Now, English soccer (or football, as it is called there) leagues are organized in a hierarchical structure in which the 20 best teams play in a grouping called the Premier League. In Italy, their national soccer association formed in 1898 and is called Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio, or FIGC. It is part of the Union of European Football Associations, or UEFA. The national team played their first game in 1910 and had a successful beginning by beating France 6 to 2. Additionally, soccer by far the most popular sport in Sweden. There are more than 240,000 licensed players, and 56,000 of them are women. Sweden currently boasts 45 national stadiums. Obviously, Europe has a big part to play on the international soccer stage; a traditional soccer ball has 32 panels, one for each country in Europe. A European travel soccer tour is guaranteed to be a great trip!

Soccer/football is also extremely popular in Central America. Costa Rica is definitely the most successful team there; they played their first game as a national team in 1921. Costa Rica has qualified for four World Cups since that year, which were hosted by the following countries: Italy (1990), South Korea and Japan (2002), Germany (2006), and Brazil (2014). Portugal has also played in six World Cups. Soccer is a large part of the culture of Central America; for example, even towns that have less than 200 residents in Costa Rica and Guatemala have soccer fields. Central America is another great destination for a travel soccer tour!

Whether you choose to go to Europe or Central America for a travel soccer tour, you are guaranteed a wonderful time of soccer games, rich cultural experiences, and the opportunity to meet new people. It is an amazing international experience you don’t want to miss out on!