Body Protectors /Air Jacket

[ycbm]

I wouldn’t have believed it either but the accident had happened at a BE event and a few people commenting had witnessed it. I tried to find the fb post again, it was on one of the eventing groups but failed.

I believe it can fail to go off, I had one of the very first ones ever sold, when they were made as a khaki colour "safari" waistcoat, and it failed to go off because the mechanism ended between me and the ground as the horse rotated over me, and the lanyard pulled out of the saddle attachment with such force that it melted the nylon cable together. That fall was at least partly responsible for the change from a screw fixing to a clip.

But the only way that can happen, I think, is for the pull to be impeded like that, or by failing to reach a pull position because the jacket is caught on something (which is quite possible with the baggy ones).
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[nutjob]

I have seen them fail to go off if the horse falls and the person hits the ground close to the horse, it can then go off when the horse gets up I haven't seen anyone get dragged though. My point 2 has been tested a few times and has always gone off. The sizing is tricky as mine is the correct size without bp but whenever it's gone off I have been wearing bp and it's seriously tight. The first time I started panicking as I thought I couldn't breathe. Have to take shallow breathes and keep calm til it decompresses a bit or I get it off.

 

[Birker2020]

I believe it can fail to go off, I had one of the very first ones ever sold, when they were made as a khaki colour "safari" waistcoat, and it failed to go off because the mechanism ended between me and the ground as the horse rotated over me, and the lanyard pulled out of the saddle attachment with such force that it melted the nylon cable together. That fall was at least partly responsible for the change from a screw fixing to a clip.

But the only way that can happen, I think, is for the pull to be impeded like that, or by failing to reach a pull position because the jacket is caught on something (which is quite possible with the baggy ones).
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Holy smoke you were incredibly lucky if you know what I mean.

 

[ycbm]

Holy smoke you were incredibly lucky if you know what I mean.

Too right! I'll never forget the sight of that horse's body rotating bum to the ceiling over me and my brain screaming "ROLL AWAY - NOW!!!" so he didn't land on me. Over a 2ft show jump, as well! I sold the horse immediately after as a non-jumper. Scariest fall I ever had.
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[Sossigpoker]

Not doubting what you say, but I don't get how they don't become detached?? You'd have to weigh less than the lanyard trigger point which would be something like a stone! Weight not pebble.

The lanyard was probably too long. I see this quite a lot. People don't realise that the lanyard needs to be short enough so the jacket will inflate before you hit the ground.

 

[Sossigpoker]

I wouldn’t have believed it either but the accident had happened at a BE event and a few people commenting had witnessed it. I tried to find the fb post again, it was on one of the eventing groups but failed.

I imagine the more normal scenario it wouldn’t go off would be the one mentioned above where you fall on your feet and so don’t have enough distance to trigger the air bag.

In perspective, I still think the amount the air jackets have saved people they’re worth wearing, I do for xc, but as with everything possibly just worth being aware.

If we are thinking of the same incident, not only was the lanyard so long it got caught on the saddle, but the rider admitted to never having had it serviced.
Air jackets should be serviced/inspected annually.
There are only two scenarios where the jacket won't function properly: either the lanyard is so long that rider is on the floor before it goes off , or the jacket is faulty.

 

[Sossigpoker]

Body protectors are designed to protect against minor injuries,.as I found out when I broke my back while wearing one.
I now wear my HitAir every time I ride. I've had a couple of high speed falls in it and suffered no injuries, not even bruising.
I won't get on without mine.

 

[Birker2020]

If we are thinking of the same incident, not only was the lanyard so long it got caught on the saddle, but the rider admitted to never having had it serviced.
Air jackets should be serviced/inspected annually.
There are only two scenarios where the jacket won't function properly: either the lanyard is so long that rider is on the floor before it goes off , or the jacket is faulty.

When I sent mine off for servicing I explained that the red part inside had snapped. Apparently it was because someone had put it in the air jacket wrong. So that can be another reason for it not going off.

 

[Tiddlypom]

The lanyard was probably too long. I see this quite a lot. People don't realise that the lanyard needs to be short enough so the jacket will inflate before you hit the ground.

That's one of the reasons that air jackets are not appropriate if you are riding different horses at a riding school. The lanyard can be swapped from saddle to saddle, but firstly you have to remove/replace the stirrup leathers to do so, and then you need to take time to adjust the length of the lanyard for each saddle as per instructions.

At home, I'd have a lanyard set up on each saddle rather than faff about moving it from one to another. Lanyards are available separately.

Plus you do need to remember to clip the lanyard in when you mount *coughs*

 

[ycbm]

If we're talking neglect, it will trigger but do no good if you've got a hole in the airbag. I have had one hole but it only let me know by deflating too fast, it worked for the fall itself.
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[Birker2020]

There is another reason why the air jacket doesn't go off and this can be due to incorrect insertion of the canister if a purchaser has replaced the previous canister.

On this occasion mine did actually discharge and my jacket managed to inflate enough to cushion my very slight fall from the side of my horse so I didn't hurt myself other than my pride. So I duly sent the jacket (minus the canister) off for service as you do if you have a fall (it got lost, long story). I was concerned about the crack in the plastic which surrounds the canister.

The lovely lady at Hit Air said that it might not have inflated due to the incorrect installation of the canister which caused the crack you can see on the photo. It wasn't me who put the canister in, but its not the easiest of things to replace the canister so I don't blame the person who installed it. She replaced it and serviced the jacket for me.

 

[Widgeon]

Body protectors are designed to protect against minor injuries,.as I found out when I broke my back while wearing one.
I now wear my HitAir every time I ride. I've had a couple of high speed falls in it and suffered no injuries, not even bruising.
I won't get on without mine.

This was my thinking too. Broken ribs and bruises aren't the end of the world but I'd really rather not break my neck! Having said all that this thread has reminded me that I really really must get mine serviced. It's a bit of a pain having to post it away.

 

[Birker2020]

It's a bit of a pain having to post it away.

Make sure you get the postage with insurance like I did. Mine went missing, it never arrived at HIT AIR so I was kindly sent a replacement by Rachel until mine materialised (if it ever did). After a couple of weeks I was about to start all the faff making a claim against Royal Mail/Parcelforce and then low and behold, I get a call from Hit Air saying it had just been dumped in their porch! No note of explanation.

We never did find where it had been all that time.

 

[Widgeon]

Make sure you get the postage with insurance like I did.....We never did find where it had been all that time.

Oh heck....doesn't inspire confidence does it. I think I've corresponded with Rachel too, she was very helpful. Thanks - yes I will definitely remember to insure to protect against Royal Failure. I had no end of problems with RM around Christmas; I found it quite sad really, because our local post-people are all excellent, and in one case I only (eventually) received a parcel because one of the local posties literally phoned a mate to go and track it down for me. IMO RM has a lot of excellent staff who are being let down by the wider system. (Sorry, off topic)

 

[Skib]

that air jackets are not appropriate if you are riding different horses at a riding school.

My OH was very skinny and round shouldered. In the UK he rode mostly in RS lessons. He fell only once, wearing a race safe bp but it left his spine bruised.

He then bought an air jacket and used it in RS lessons. You are correct that he had to match the lanyard to the horse. He bought an extra short one for one particular RS pony. But he went on riding till his favourite canter horse got too old.

 

[Birker2020]

My OH was very skinny and round shouldered. In the UK he rode mostly in RS lessons. He fell only once, wearing a race safe bp but it left his spine bruised.

He then bought an air jacket and used it in RS lessons. You are correct that he had to match the lanyard to the horse. He bought an extra short one for one particular RS pony. But he went on riding till his favourite canter horse got too old.

The lanyard is easy enough to fit, but its whether the horses would gallop if someone fell off wearing one around causing potential injury for those other riders in the lesson.

When I deliberately set mine off to test it my horse never batted an eyelid. But the others in their stables were going mental.

 

[ycbm]

The lovely lady at Hit Air said that it might not have inflated due to the incorrect installation of the canister which caused the crack you can see on the photo. It wasn't me who put the canister in, but its not the easiest of things to replace the canister so I don't blame the person who installed it. She replaced it and serviced the jacket for me.

I'm afraid I'd be concerned at any piece of safety equipment where it was possible to crack a vital part by incorrectly installing the canister in a routine procedure that has to be done after every fall. It shouldn't be possible to fit it incorrectly without realising it. Though I actually suspect that the red piece just failed when it shouldn't have, and the "canister must have been fitted wrong" was an excuse, when the red piece should be made of something stronger. (and handily they have to be removed before posting the jacket and the proof was gone)

Up above, by the way, you referred to being reassured that Hit Air inflates in 0.4 seconds. P2 is called P2 because the first jackets inflated in 0.2 seconds and the newer ones are faster. I think that ¼ of a second could make all the difference in a bad fall, which is one of the reasons I use P2. I know a lot of people really like their Hit Air and they're still a very good bit of safety kit.
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[Skib]

The lanyard is easy enough to fit, but its whether the horses would gallop if someone fell off wearing one around causing potential injury for those other riders in the lesson.

Perhaps I should have made it clear. My OH always had private lessons. It is an interesting question whether or not a private one on one lesson should be given in a school being used by another rider or teacher. Over the years I have been to 4 local BHS schools. The two most highly regarded often had multiple use of the arena, probably because they were over-subscribed and had waiting lists.

 

[QuantockHills]

If we are thinking of the same incident, not only was the lanyard so long it got caught on the saddle, but the rider admitted to never having had it serviced.
Air jackets should be serviced/inspected annually.
There are only two scenarios where the jacket won't function properly: either the lanyard is so long that rider is on the floor before it goes off , or the jacket is faulty.

I have a third scenario.... i didn't realise mine has a safety feature to stop it activating accidently during transit etc.... so the first 3 months of me wearing it, it would never have worked anyway..

 

[Widgeon]

I have a third scenario.... i didn't realise mine has a safety feature to stop it activating accidently during transit etc.... so the first 3 months of me wearing it, it would never have worked anyway..

Err - care to share exactly what this was and how I check mine?!

 

[EarsofaSnowman]

I've been contemplating getting one, but ideally looking for something that covers motorbiking as well. I don't know if they need to be different or whether the manufacturers tweak to appeal to different markets.
I have private lessons so could use it in my RS, although sometimes share the school with another private. My english RS did ask for children not to wear them as standard in the school, as they were finding if one went off, the other ponies would spook en masse.
Bizarre question- has anyone worn a bp for other activities? I do some gentle green laning but struggle to find body armour to fit properly.

 

[Birker2020]

Up above, by the way, you referred to being reassured that Hit Air inflates in 0.4 seconds. P2 is called P2 because the first jackets inflated in 0.2 seconds and the newer ones are faster. I think that ¼ of a second could make all the difference in a bad fall, which is one of the reasons I use P2. I know a lot of people really like their Hit Air and they're still a very good bit of safety kit.
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I'm sure the neck area was 1.4 but I might be wrong.

In 2014 when I compared jackets the reason I went with the Hit Air was because they had the neck bit and because I was always falling off over the side of my horse onto my right hip but then my head would follow through and I was getting concussed I thought the neck inflation might stop this action.

I didn't think Point 2 had this particular feature (or was as pronounced) but I may have been mistaken.

 

[Birker2020]

but ideally looking for something that covers motorbiking as well. I don't know if they need to be different or whether the manufacturers tweak to appeal to different markets.
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See reply 21. You might like to still investigate though as things may have changed in some way since 2014.

 

[ycbm]

I'm sure the neck area was 1.4 but I might be wrong.

In 2014 when I compared jackets the reason I went with the Hit Air was because they had the neck bit and because I was always falling off over the side of my horse onto my right hip but then my head would follow through and I was getting concussed I thought the neck inflation might stop this action.

I didn't think Point 2 had this particular feature (or was as pronounced) but I may have been mistaken.

View attachment 89839

Yes the neck is different on a Hit Air. I don't like it because it comes up higher than the base of the hat, and I know of others who have the same issue, but on the other hand I also know of people like you who buy it because it has the big neck. The choice is good to have available.
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[Coblover63]

I had one fall in my HitAir last summer, so sent it off for a service. Rachel rang me to say it was punctured and there was nothing she could do! So I told her to throw it away. I'd bought it secondhand, but had had it serviced then too and all had been fine.

So I've just bought a Point Two, because they CAN and do replace the air bags!

I had a nasty fall wearing my Racesafe 10 years ago. Ended up is hospital with six broken ribs/damaged spleen and partially collapsed lung, but the doctors told me the BP saved my life. I was wearing a RS Pro-vent under my HitAir when I came off last year and wasn't damaged at all, so I'd always favour an air vest for protection.

 

[ycbm]

I had one fall in my HitAir last summer, so sent it off for a service. Rachel rang me to say it was punctured and there was nothing she could do! So I told her to throw it away. I'd bought it secondhand, but had had it serviced then too and all had been fine.

I am shocked about that. P2 replace the air bag on every service. If the Hit Air genuinely can't be replaced then I will always recommend people not to buy them from now on. They're over £400, it's too much to lose by falliing into a thorn hedge or something equally simple.
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[Coblover63]

I am shocked about that. P2 replace the air bag on every service. If the Hit Air genuinely can't be replaced then I will always recommend people not to buy them from now on. They're over £400, it's too much to lose by falliing into a thorn hedge or something equally simple.
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I was shocked too. Rachel told me they'd tested it a couple of times and that it was definitely punctured. I assumed that she would then tell me how much it would cost to replace the airbags, but there was a long pause, before I asked "is there anything that can be done?" To which I was told "well, I can try sending it back to China to see if they can do anything". At which point I said "so you're basically telling me that it is irreparable?" And got a "yes, unfortunately".

I was pretty gobsmacked, tbh, because I assumed that punctures are common place and a simple fix.

 

[QuantockHills]

I have a third scenario.... i didn't realise mine has a safety feature to stop it activating accidently during transit etc.... so the first 3 months of me wearing it, it would never have worked anyway..

Mine's a hit air and where the canister goes is a red plastic cover that slides over the ball/pin thingy to stop it coming out..... think there's a picture of a broken one in the thread above....

 

[Tiddlypom]

I've emailed Hit Air to ask directly whether they replace the air bags at a service.

Will post back when I get a reply.

A service costs £45.

 

[ycbm]

Mine's a hit air and where the canister goes is a red plastic cover that slides over the ball/pin thingy to stop it coming out..... think there's a picture of a broken one in the thread above....

I have to say that's a crazy thing to design in something you can forget to take off again so easily. It's not like a gun, nobody dies if it goes off by accident. I've flung mine around travelling with it all the time (not to mention hunting in it) and never had it go of by accident.
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