SaferMoto vests on the news!

[johnkol]

Having experienced multiple get-offs from a horse, and one on my race bike, I'd take the Hit Air vest. I want my neck stabilized (betting Christopher Reeve would have felt the same way, too).
Of course, that's entirely based on my personal experiences, so it's not in the least bit scientific, and entirely anecdotal. YMMV.

If you choose the air vest just for the neck stabilisation, then fine.

But for impact absorption, how do you know that the air vests provide better protection than the equestian vests? From what you say you never crashed wearing an equestrian vest, so you couldn't possibly know how one performs relative to the other.

That's precisely what we are asking for here: some objective data that will enable us to compare the efficacy of air vests against traditional foam vests -- so that essentially Your Mileage does not vary from My Mileage.

Incidentally, equestrians recognise that an air vest is not the ultimate solution, that's why they are using hybrid vests -- an air vest over a traditional (BETA Level 3 certified) foam vest.

 

[Pking]

Cool.

About insurance...if insurance companies climb on board with this, I wonder how much of a discount will they offer? A measly 2%, 5%, or 7%? Would they even be generous enough to go up to at least 10% since it has a greater impact on preventing major injuries and possible fatalities? Would be nice!

 

[Archimedes]

If you choose the air vest just for the neck stabilisation, then fine.

But for impact absorption, how do you know that the air vests provide better protection than the equestian vests? From what you say you never crashed wearing an equestrian vest, so you couldn't possibly know how one performs relative to the other.

That's precisely what we are asking for here: some objective data that will enable us to compare the efficacy of air vests against traditional foam vests -- so that essentially Your Mileage does not vary from My Mileage.

Incidentally, equestrians recognise that an air vest is not the ultimate solution, that's why they are using hybrid vests -- an air vest over a traditional (BETA Level 3 certified) foam vest.

The vest that almost everyone I see at my daughter's jumping competitions wearing is the traditional Eventer, which IS NOT CERTIFIED at all. Only the brand new Eventer model they make is certified. My daughter wears the old one and it's a pretty flimsy piece of kit. Reminds me of the old school Sherwood hockey shoulder pads lots of the old timers like to wear because they're basically like wearing nothing. The first time I saw it I kinda sighed because it seems pretty useless.

I've been trying to convince my daughter to put the air vest on over her Eventer, but she just won't do it. I tried showing her all the jumping fall vids with the air vest, but she wasn't sold. Too much vanity in the teenage girl jumping group. I'm going to look into the newer Eventer model for her.

 

[Enchanter]

Cool.

About insurance...if insurance companies climb on board with this, I wonder how much of a discount will they offer? A measly 2%, 5%, or 7%? Would they even be generous enough to go up to at least 10% since it has a greater impact on preventing major injuries and possible fatalities? Would be nice!

Dude, there are some pretty questionable posts in this thread, but this one takes the cake.

 

[Gixxergirl1000]

If you choose the air vest just for the neck stabilisation, then fine.

But for impact absorption, how do you know that the air vests provide better protection than the equestian vests? From what you say you never crashed wearing an equestrian vest, so you couldn't possibly know how one performs relative to the other.

That's precisely what we are asking for here: some objective data that will enable us to compare the efficacy of air vests against traditional foam vests -- so that essentially Your Mileage does not vary from My Mileage.

Incidentally, equestrians recognise that an air vest is not the ultimate solution, that's why they are using hybrid vests -- an air vest over a traditional (BETA Level 3 certified) foam vest.

First off, let me be clear- I am NOT against more testing for the vest.
But I've been tossed off horses for years... and I've had the misfortune to get tossed off my race bike once. I've also had the opportunity to pick a LOT of crashed riders up off the side of the road over the last 3 years, and talk to them about their crash, their injuries, etc.
The force generated from my 55mph crash on my bike far exceeded anything I experienced from horses... and I've had some pretty spectacular get-offs, including being thrown through a jump, breaking 4" wooden poles with my body.
Having had a chance to inspect a couple of the equestrian vests, and an opportunity to inspect the Hit-Air vest, I do NOT feel that the equestrian vests would do a lot to protect me in a motorcycle crash, and certainly not on par with the Hit-Air vest.
But that's just my opinion, and that's not enough for you (which is fine, BTW!).

I hope that the manufacturer will have additional testing done... but after being drenched in fear that something had happened to Josie when I saw the lifeflight copter circling in after her crash, I don't think I'm wasting my money by buying a Hit-Air vest for her. It's an investment in her safety, and my peace of mind.

 

[johnkol]

The vest that almost everyone I see at my daughter's jumping competitions wearing is the traditional Eventer, which IS NOT CERTIFIED at all.

This is not the vest that I am referencing. I am talking about the EN13158 Level-3 certified vests (aka BETA Level 3), which are typically more than 1" thick. Think of a Forcefield Sub 4, but one that wraps around your entire upper body.

Having had a chance to inspect a couple of the equestrian vests, and an opportunity to inspect the Hit-Air vest, I do NOT feel that the equestrian vests would do a lot to protect me in a motorcycle crash, and certainly not on par with the Hit-Air vest.
But that's just my opinion, and that's not enough for you (which is fine, BTW!).

Given Archimedes experience above, are you sure we have the same vests in mind? The BETA Level 3 certified ones are quite impressive, and it's difficult to imagine that anyone examining them would come to the conclusion that they are somewhat deficient in any way. If you have ever put on a Forcefield Sub4 back protector (arguably the best back protector in the market), then the equestrian vest feels a lot more substantial and infinitely more protective.

And of course they have the numbers to back up their claim of superior protection.

 

[Gixxergirl1000]

This is not the vest that I am referencing. I am talking about the EN13158 Level-3 certified vests (aka BETA Level 3), which are typically more than 1" thick. Think of a Forcefield Sub 4, but one that wraps around your entire upper body.


Given Archimedes experience above, are you sure we have the same vests in mind? The BETA Level 3 certified ones are quite impressive, and it's difficult to imagine that anyone examining them would come to the conclusion that they are somewhat deficient in any way. If you have ever put on a Forcefield Sub4 back protector (arguably the best back protector in the market), then the equestrian vest feels a lot more substantial and infinitely more protective.

And of course they have the numbers to back up their claim of superior protection.

No, I have not seen that specific vest. However, just in looking at it, there are a couple of areas where it falls short- not the least of which is neck stabilization.
I am familiar with the Forcefield back protectors. Jim Perry was wearing one when he died. As an FYI, he had broken bones in his back and neck, according to the coroner's report.
Beyond that, having been tossed off a lot of horses, and tossed a bike down the track at 55mph, and then tumbling around in the infield for a bit, I can tell you that getting tossed off a horse was a cakewalk compared to the forces generated in the bike crash. What would, I am sure, provide fantastic protection from being tossed off a horse (particularly in a show ring) is going to be working a LOT harder in a bike crash- potentially beyond its capabilities. That's my opinion, of course.