How to Make Protective Riot Gear

Are you thinking of going to a protest that might get a little out of hand? Or, maybe you've heard news that a riot is going down . Whatever you're plannin' on or preparing for you know you're gonna need some gear to protect you.
In any type of public outcry, the police WILL be ready with their implements: rubber bullets, batons, pepper spray and concussion grenades,etc. You should be ready with yours ... The following includes directions on how to make your own body armor which will help you last a bit longer and will also include some tips to help you avoid serious injury. Taking these steps will make you nearly impervious to physical and chemical attacks on your person.

Steps

• Get a hold of all the things that you'll need. Try to dumpster or "get on discount" all of the items otherwise, it could get expensive. Better yet, ask some of your neighbors if they have any of the items. If they seem cool enough and ask what you're using it all for, tell 'em. Who knows, maybe they'll wanna come along, too and nothing is better than solidarity.
• After you've gathered all of the supplies, decide what you wanna cover with these homemade guards; Your head? Arms? Back? Legs?
• To protect your Torso and Back - Take the Tape Measure and have a pal measure from the top of your spine (you know, that bump of vertebrae that totally sticks out) to the bottom, from shoulder to shoulder, and hip to hip. For the sides, measure from 3 in. below the crease of your armpit to your hip and, measure the width (the front of your ribs to the back). Take some Plexiglass and cut it to these measurements. Afterwards,take the pieces and arrange them on the back of the inside of your Hooded Sweatshirt. Use the Duct Tape to keep them in place and Voila!
• To protect your Shoulders and Arms - Measure from where neck meets shoulder to where shoulder meets arm, from shoulder to elbow and, from elbow to wrist (on both arms). Also, measure the width. Cut Plexiglass to fit. Turn Sweatshirt arms inside out and use the Duct Tape to secure the pieces.
• To protect your Chest and Abdomen - Measure from Shoulder to shoulder, from the top of your sternum (that little U shapped bit in between your collar bones) to just below your belly button, and from hip to hip. Cut Plexiglass, cut in half lengthwise to accommodate the zipper, then arrange the pieces on the inside of the front of your Sweatshirt and secure with Duct Tape.
• To protect your Legs and the backs of your Knees - Bend your leg at the hip, measure from the crease to just before the knee and also, measure the width. Bend to the side and measure the side of your leg from the crease to just past your knee also, measure the width. Bend your knee and measure 3 inches above the crease and 3 inches below, measure the width at the back of your knee. Cut plexiglass to fit. Turn pants inside out and use Duct Tape to secure the pieces. (Even if you don't want to do your legs, definitely do the back of your knees cuz who the heck wants the cops batoning the backs of your knees, knocking you to the ground only to get maced? Lastly, it is totally up to you if you think that you need shin guards. Just follow the same directions as stated above.
• To protect your Skin from RCAs - (riot control agents- think mace, teargas, etc.) line the inside of your clothes with Garbage Bags, sealing the seams with Duct Tape. (This will prevent you from having to take RCA soaked clothes off right away.)
• To mask your Identity and protect your Lungs from RCAs- Wrap a vinegar soaked bandana around your face or just put on a gas mask or ventilator.

Tips

• An easy/quick way to cut Plexiglass is to take a Utility Knife and score it along the Plexiglass then, just snap it in half.
• If you cut the larger pieces of Plexiglss into smaller pieces to allow freedom of movement and to make you look a little less boxy and conspicuous. THE FEWER THE PIECES

  THE MORE PROTECTION so, don't make too many cuts. If you do, it will lessen the surface area for the blows to spread across and you risk serious injury.

• If you opt out of lining your gear in trash bags, just remember that you're gonna have to take off your gear very quickly if you get soaked with an RCA, hence the zipper on the Hooded Sweatshirt.
• If you get maced in the face and aren't wearing goggles, pour Water mixed with Baking Soda into your eyes. ( there's a recipe for this in How to deal with Riot Control Agents in the related Wikihows section)

Warnings

• If you break the law, you WILL get arrested, you WILL go to jail, and you WILL have a criminal record.
• Because of the garbage bags, it's gonna get hot in this getup so, be sure to drink plenty of water.
• Try not to wear a backpack to carry extra stuff in, it just makes it easier for you to get grabbed from behind. If you ARE going to wear one, get a bigger Hooded Sweatshirt and wear the backpack underneath it also, wearing a backpack means that you don't have to bother with the Plexiglass back piece.)
• Keep in mind that some less than lethal rounds can still cause a great deal of pain even with some form of protection.

Things You'll Need

• 1 Hooded sweat shirt with zipper (try to get one that is not too baggy)
• 1 Pair of gloves
• 1 Pair of pants
• Scissors
• 1 Pair of boots
• Duct tape
• Bandana w/your name so other protesters know its you
• Plexiglass (at most 1/4 wide, the thinner the lighter)
• Airtight goggles (the bigger the better)
• Tape measure (preferably a cloth one)
• Knee pads (optional)
• Elbow pads (optional)
• Garbage bags (preferably those thick black ones)(optional)
• Gas mask(optional)
• Helmet (optional)
• Your ID if you get arrested

Related wikiHows

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• How to Survive a Riot
• How to Deal With Riot Control Agents