Airvest save or not?

[Dave's Mam]

I can say from experience that you do need a decent yank on the lanyard to set it off, so if one was really silly and started dismounting without unclipping, one could slowly unclip mid-dismount

Don't extend the lanyard though, if you do get decked you need it to go pop well before you hit the ground, so that 5cm might make the difference. HitAir sell special short lanyards for pony riders for that reason and I would imagine the other companies do too.

Yes, I have a short lanyard for my Point Two for that very reason.

 

[Meredith]

When my pony slipped sideways and fell we went down together. I fell about 6" as my knees were already on the ground. I rolled on to my back. My AJ exploded when the pony got up. I couldn't stand up fast enough. If F had fallen on me a body protector is better as it could help minimise injuries.

I can stand close to the saddle clipped to to it and the AJ doesn't explode but F is only 14.2. I have to be quick to unclip because if F steps away it will.

I have found that the more you wear your jacket unclipping becomes second nature along with arranging your reins and body weight prior to dismounting.

 

[ycbm]

I'm sorry, I can't help myself, but is that a gas cannister in your pocket or.....

Exactly. I had it mounted vertically as well, so i didn't need to put a flap on the pocket to hold it in

 

[asommerville]

In my 14 years of wearing one I have got off once without unclipping, I got off slowly and it never went off, I have bailed out the side door and fallen off and it has inflated - I think it needs a pull