air jacket recommendations

[throwawayaccount]

as title really.

I will get fitted for one at one of the tack shops local to me, but just wondering what people prefer/recommend? will be using it for flat/hacking/low level jumping.

 

[Birker2020]

as title really.

I will get fitted for one at one of the tack shops local to me, but just wondering what people prefer/recommend? will be using it for flat/hacking/low level jumping.

As I said on another post when I bought mine in 2014 it had the best neck coverage and I believe it was the fastest at inflating, its currently 0.25 seconds and it inflates outwards and not inwards so you can't get winded. Its the only jacket on the market that has rib cage air bags. The neck is designed to stop cause deacceleration reducing the chance of whiplash and concussion. https://www.hitairuk.co.uk/Article_Pages_thefacts.aspx

All air jackets reduce the risk of serious injury by 13%. https://firstaidtrainingcooperative...need-to-know-about-air-jackets-and-air-vests/

 

[ycbm]

As I said on another post when I bought mine in 2014 it had the best neck coverage and I believe it was the fastest at inflating, its currently 0.25 seconds

i corrected you on that thread and so i have no idea why you have repeated it here. Hit Air never was and never has been the fastest inflating jacket,. The Point 2 is called the Point 2 because it inflated in point 2 of a second and it now inflates even faster.

Its the only jacket on the market that has rib cage air bags.

you mean it's the only one that has side air bags, they all have rib cage protection. It's doubtful how beneficial this is, as it prevents you from tucking in your arms, and the other two jackets give plenty of rib protection. There is, however, a gap low on the neck in a Hit Air where you could get hit by a jump pole or a fence in the event of one of those common falls where the horse stops or turns and the rider spins off to hit the fence with their back.

 

[ycbm]

https://firstaidtrainingcooperative...need-to-know-about-air-jackets-and-air-vests/

This article says the following

Research has shown that air vests are most suited to flat falls on wider, load-bearing surfaces but offer little protection on impact from sharp or blunt smaller objects such as hooves, poles and edges.

That is completely contrary to my own experience. I had a fall 2 years back from a tall horse which was scrambling up a bank, resulting in a drop of at least eight feet directly onto a 3/4 inch wide, 6 inch high board lining the side of a path. I was completely uninjured and unmarked from a fall I would have expected to break ribs.

I'd like to read the research but they don't reference it.


It also says they inflate in less than a tenth of a second. They don't.
.

 

[Birker2020]

This article says the following



That is completely contrary to my own experience. I had a fall 2 years back from a tall horse which was scrambling up a bank, resulting in a drop of at least eight feet directly onto a 3/4 inch wide, 6 inch high board lining the side of a path. I was completely uninjured and unmarked from a fall I would have expected to break ribs.

I'd like to read the research but they don't reference it.


It also says they inflate in less than a tenth of a second. They don't.
.

I did see that about the flat falls etc. Well its like saying riding hats are tested on the edge of kerbs. They are yet I know someone who died from striking the edge of a kerb whilst wearing a riding hat. I suppose there are inconsistencies and exceptions with everything.

I don't know what the other makes are like nowadays but my experience goes back to 2014 when I tried three makes on within an hour at Your Horse Live and was most impressed with Hit Air which at the time far outshone their rivals. Your experience might be more recent than mine.

 

[Fieldlife]

it inflates outwards and not inwards so you can't get winded.

I thought that was shown to not be true. Both will need to inflate inwards and outwards at same time. Anything else is not physically possible.

 

[Annagain]

I think in terms of performance they're probably all pretty much of a muchness - and they're all certainly better than nothing so it comes down to personal preference.

I have the Helite one that zips into an outer shell (because I'm vain and don't like the look of the others). I have the gilet but they also do jackets, show jackets and hunting coats so you can take your pick or even have a few different outers if you do equity release on your house or sell a kidney.

I haven't tested it to its full potential yet but it's pretty comfy (if a bit warm) for day to day wear. I'd like a hi-viz gilet for hacking but they don't do one although you can wear a hi-viz tabard over the top as long as it has velcro to allow the gilet to inflate.

 

[asmp]

Hopefully you’ll be able to try a couple on and decide which is more comfortable. My daughter and I personally like fit of Hit Airs. Mine is a hi viz one.

 

[Polos Mum]

The physical protection they provide is pretty similar - it comes down to fit / personal preference on style so great to go and try them on and see which is best for you.

I have point 2 - it's light and faff free, you can tell I'm wearing it but I have a suspicion the odd reckless driver thinks I'm police in it (I wear it over a high vis jacket) and they slow right down when I'm wearing it vs. when I don't

 

[ycbm]

I thought that was shown to not be true. Both will need to inflate inwards and outwards at same time. Anything else is not physically possible.

The Hit Air is attached to a carrier harness and the cover is made in a shape which allows it to expand only outwards from the carrier.

Many people like the fact that this means you set the harness so that you never get squeezed tight. (If you didn't, you'd be being squeezed tight all the time. ) It's my belief that the tight squeezing is what creates some of the protective effect, particularly in a rotation fall, so I like it.

I like the loose fit of the P2 as well, which gives a greater range of clothing you can have under it with no adjustment and allows more air flow.

The one thing I do really like about the Hit Air is the tucked up tail. My tail often used to catch a bit on my cantle, though I have to admit I haven't noticed it do it for ages now. I still wish the P2 tail folded away.



These jackets are all good, it's a matter of preference.
.

 

[ycbm]

I did see that about the flat falls etc. Well its like saying riding hats are tested on the edge of kerbs. They are yet I know someone who died from striking the edge of a kerb whilst wearing a riding hat. I suppose there are inconsistencies and exceptions with everything.

I don't think that's the same at all. The testing does not claim to stop all deaths from falling on a sharp edge, and some people will fall on a sharp edge and die in spite of their hat.

This is the other way around. The report claims, without referencing what testing they are referring to, that air jackets offer little protection from edges and I've found that to be completely untrue in a real life situation.

Does anyone have any idea what testing they're talking about, I'd like to read it?
.

 

[ycbm]

In trying to find the research, I can only find this, which is helpful to potential buyers.

https://www.medequestrian.co.uk/rider-safety/safety/air-vests/

I'm not sure there is any research that backs up the statement in that report about edges.

But interestingly , the FEI recommended air vests for XC for eventing this year and is reported by H&H to have possible plans to make them mandatory in 2023.
.

 

[Fieldlife]

In trying to find the research, I can only find this, which is helpful to potential buyers.

https://www.medequestrian.co.uk/rider-safety/safety/air-vests/

I'm not sure there is any research that backs up the statement in that report about edges.

But interestingly , the FEI recommended air vests for XC for eventing this year and is reported by H&H to have possible plans to make them mandatory in 2023.
.

Do you know what the research basis is for having BP as compulsory but air jacket as optional in top level eventing?

And similar question if you could wear hacking only one - air jacket or BP which do you think will give more protection? (Appreciate depend on what incident is, but broadly speaking).

I thought one option, but my friend strongly thinks over if not going XC is better protection.

Interested in any thoughts?

 

[ycbm]

Do you know what the research basis is for having BP as compulsory but air jacket as optional in top level eventing?

Air jackets were too new to have a track record and have a yet no industry wide testing standards.
.

 

[ycbm]

And similar question if you could wear hacking only one - air jacket or BP which do you think will give more protection? (Appreciate depend on what incident is, but broadly speaking).

I only wear an jacket, but that's because I wouldn't wear a body protector half the time anyway due to heat and bulk.

If you were only to wear one or the other then a Beta3 body protector is probably the best bet.

Gold standard is both.
.

 

[VRIN]

I don't think its a matter of research that at top level you have to wear a BP with an air jacket. It is as I understand because if the air jacket failed them you would have no protection at all without a BP.

I have literally just purchased a point 2 air jacket. I was undecided but finally it was the cheaper cost of the air canister that swayed my opinion.

One thing to check if buying a point2 is the type of canister - I nearly bought a 'brand new' with labels air jacket that had a screw canister. I spoke to Point 2 who advised me that I could upgrade the air jacket but that they no longer made the fitting with the screw type. In fact they hadn't made any since 2012 (I think) There is also at least one shop out there (I found on the net when I was searching) that is selling a brand new jacket with screw fitting canister. So do check before purchase!

 

[Britestar]

I have Helite. Very pleased with it. Fired it far too many times than is sensible ?
I had the gilet because I was going to shows, but now have the xc type because that horse does not go away from home now.
The gilet one is for sale . Large blue. ?

 

[MereChristmas]

Not wishing to hi-jack the thread
but has anyone any experience of the Turtle air jackets?

 

[Fieldlife]

Not wishing to hi-jack the thread
but has anyone any experience of the Turtle air jackets?

Not heard of those?

 

[MereChristmas]

Not heard of those?

Made by Helite, Turtle 1, now superseded by Turtle 2 I think.
https://heliteuk.co.uk/product-category/equestrian-protection/

 

[Skib]

I did see that about the flat falls etc. Well its like saying riding hats are tested on the edge of kerbs. They are yet I know someone who died from striking the edge of a kerb whilst wearing a riding hat. I suppose there are inconsistencies and exceptions with everything.

I am not sure this is correct. Cycling and motor cycle helmets are tested for hitting the edge of kerbs. But at the time i bought my first HS1 helmet, I dont think horse riding hats were. I remember an article explaining that the speed and angle of a fall from a horse were very different.

 

[ycbm]

I don't think its a matter of research that at top level you have to wear a BP with an air jacket. It is as I understand because if the air jacket failed them you would have no protection at all without a BP.

I meant that there was no research to support making an air jacket with a BP mandatory, following my comment that the FEI are now planning to do this.
.

 

[Mari]

I have Helite. Very pleased with it. Fired it far too many times than is sensible ?
I had the gilet because I was going to shows, but now have the xc type because that horse does not go away from home now.
The gilet one is for sale . Large blue. ?

I also have a Helite & very happy with it though have never departed company with a horse since I bought it 4-5 years ago.

 

[YoLaTango]

I have a Helite. It’s been tested more times than I am proud to admit. It has saved my bacon.

I hope I’m not derailing thread… last time it went off it spooked the other horses I was with. No one was harmed, but I ve stopped wearing it. I don’t want to be responsible for someone else hurting themselves. So I’m now looking for a good back protector. To be honest, this has gotten me a bit down. Can one of you super knowledgeable people point me in direction of back protector and tell me I ll be as safe in that as the helite?

 

[Birker2020]

I am not sure this is correct. Cycling and motor cycle helmets are tested for hitting the edge of kerbs. But at the time i bought my first HS1 helmet, I dont think horse riding hats were. I remember an article explaining that the speed and angle of a fall from a horse were very different.

'9wuvb$&amp;56533>!=|vqc)!273794&amp;*>bgipf+!3=712363%9aihwc)!7202<217'9efotm(&amp;20061;48&amp;>`dopb/%<1707200!=8(&amp;2005575?&amp;>`dopb/%<170642?!=|vqc)!7201;=50'9wuvb$&amp;03641654*>bgipf+!3=731103%9aihwc)!72000225'9efotmy&quot;]">

Sorry I'm struggling to privide the info as its not easy on an andriod mobile with this stupid haygain ad in the way.
Whe I'm back at work i can provide the info but they use linear edges and anvil shaped edges the equivalent of kerb angles and arena fences to test hats against.

 

[ycbm]

last time it went off it spooked the other horses I was with.

Are you sure it was the air jacket?

In the days before air jackets, it was common for whatever spooked the horse that the rider fell off, or the action of the rider falling off, to spook the other horses it was with. Whenever that happens these days and the faller is wearing an air jacket, the pop of the air jacket is blamed, even though there are many common noises equally as bad, or worse.

It's become an accepted thing to blame the air jacket, and I know there are trainers who won't teach a group lesson where anyone is wearing one. I bought a Racesafe for that situation.
.

 

[YoLaTango]

I don’t know… I wish I knew what spooked my own! And then I was too busy falling into a ditch (literally- literal ditch).
What you say is entirely possible, but it became a mass spooking event. It was actually fine, but If really novicey riders/ kids had been present could have been different.

Do you feel as confident in the racesafe? Which one do you have?

 

[ycbm]

I have the top of the range Provent, and no, I feel constricted and unsafe but I have no option if I want to be in a group lesson a lot of the time.
.

 

[throwawayaccount]

Bought a point two proair. Thanks all!

 

[YoLaTango]

I have the top of the range Provent, and no, I feel constricted and unsafe but I have no option if I want to be in a group lesson a lot of the time.
.

Dang! I’m guessing I ll be the same. ‘Ed my air vest.

congrats OP, may you wear it in good health, never need it, and feel extra confident because of it.