Disclosed are ventilation systems for a ballistic resistant vest and related methods of creating a cooling barrier between a wearer's body and a ballistic vest. In a preferred embodiment, the ventilation system may be defined by a panel that features vented grooves. In a preferred mode of use, the panel is preferably positioned between a vest and the torso of a wearer of the vest whereby a space is created therebetween the vest and wearer so that air may freely flow. Suitably, the tension of the vest against the body is sufficient to hold the panel in place between the body and the vest.