point 2 air jackets

[wilsha]

the other day someone told me that if you wear one of these for xc you have to wear a normal bp underneath is that true? as i was watching burleghy and none of them had a normal bp on under

 

[Tilda]

Yes that is true I actually had one fitted at Burghley and the guy told me for just general riding you can wear it on its own but for XC with a BP. I also believe that most XC courses/riding clubs insist on it.

 

[kerilli]

Yes, you must wear a certified bp under it.
All the riders at Burghley did, they probably had their bps under their xc tops so you couldn't see them.

 

[wilsha]

so isnt it a bit pointless to spend £400 on a jacket that poofs up when you have to wear a normal bp undernath?

 

[Tilda]

They protect/support your back and neck much better than a BP. I am buying one because I had an accident where the impact of hitting the ground caused my spleen to rupture which obviously if I had been surrounded by air wouldn't have happened. My OH is insistent on me having one but more because he knows I will be tempted not to wear my BP in hot weather (I don't do XC)whereas these vests are really light weight.

 

[monkeybum13]

so isnt it a bit pointless to spend £400 on a jacket that poofs up when you have to wear a normal bp undernath?

Depends how you look at it.
Personally if I had a spare £400 I would buy one straight away as it gives you much more protection than a standard BP.

 

[wilsha]

i thought they would be good for me aswell cos my mum insists i wear a bp all the time even in the hottest weather... but i didnt realise they were £400!!!

 

[Spinal Tap]

Anything that is an 'active' system like a Point 2 has the potential to fail - it might be a very low chance of failure, but I can understand why 'standard' BPs are still compulsory.

 

[kerilli]

They protect/support your back and neck much better than a BP.

This is your opinion, but it is not proven fact, unfortunately.

 

[wilsha]

kerilli-thats really bad that they are not proven to give more protection!! i had thought they were

 

[kerilli]

I have to be very very careful what I say here, as I am facing a permanent ban (like Lucretia's) if I talk about them.
Suffice it to say that in certain specific tests they performed well.
There was a meeting in London last Thursday about introducing certification for airjackets (there is none yet - the CE approval relates only to inflation speed), but I am unfortunately unable to comment further.

 

[Kokopelli]

I think the thing with the air jackets is you bounce when they go off and they may give you more protection but mainly just a bit more of a cushiony fall. I persnally feel safer in one then a BP but I do wear both xc.

 

[wilsha]

thanks everyone shame you couldnt say anymore kokopelli ont want to get you banned though
sadly i still dont think my mum will be getting me one anytime soon

 

[NeilM]

so isnt it a bit pointless to spend £400 on a jacket that poofs up when you have to wear a normal bp undernath?

My thoughts exactly.

 

[TopTotty]

I have an air jacket and when I fell off eventing it cushioned my fall from the very hard ground. I took it off and continued with just my BP on. I sold my house and had a spare £400 so I was lucky enough to afford one. Personally, approved or not I would not event without it now. Why take the chance? There will always be people who see the bad in everything and want things to fail but it's my life that's at stake and I'll take the chance on it helping if it keeps me safer.

 

[Spinal Tap]

so isnt it a bit pointless to spend £400 on a jacket that poofs up when you have to wear a normal bp undernath?

Depends how you look at it. Wearing a BP reduces the chances of being badly hurt in a fall, wearing an air jacket over the top reduces that chance still further. You still might be badly hurt - it won't help if you land on your head - but depending on the nature of the fall, it might be the difference between walking away and being airlifted away. £400 well spent if that's the case. I'm saving up for one.