Life Saver??

Ive been looking at buying one of these for my daughter who has a horse and her own seat in A&E, and the ambucopter due to the amount of times she's fallen off. Its a long way to fall from a 17h 2 horse, in the open class of cross country or while out hunting.

Anyhow, I was wondering if anyone thinks they're a good idea for motorbikes also? Anyone know anybody thats got one? The airbag inflates in 0.5 seconds and can be re-gassed and used again.

What do you think folks??

Sorry I can't do a 'proper' link but Im stupid and can't work out how to do it!!

Link to the jacket here.

Equestrian Air Vest Fluorescent Airbag Jacket By MK-Air (#320784352964) (on Ebay BTW)

Pity it doesn't have the airbag protection for the shoulders. I have no idea how high 17 hands is/are, but would imagine quite a few falls would be sideways and its a 'long way' down. Don't wish a separated shoulder on anyone.

Hope you don't mind me editing your post with a clicky link

Its a long way down!

Not sure really, there are other jackets about, i know it hurts like hell, but peeps survive an injured shoulder, but not internal injuries. Im still looking for the best that are about, but for the money, that looked like a good idea for the bike?



Thank you for the edit btw, I just can't work out how to do that!!

How is it activated.....on a horse or on a bike (.....or rather coming off a horse or bike)??

Don't know but they've helped save lives apparently.

Dont know what to do tbh, I can't bear the thought of her being seriously injured. Shes 6ft 1 so most body protectors aren't long enough anyway lol.

Apparently a top rider has just escaped a rotational fall with only a collar bone fracture according to Lauren. I think she's tryig to justify me getting her one!!

Shes a loon that likes feisty horses! Wish she'd take-up snooker!

She had a wedge fracture of her lumbar spine when she was 15 and moaned because she missed the last class at a cross country competition!!

Sadly horses are in her blood, like her mother, but I've swapped 4 legs for two wheels lol.

Theyre normally fastened to the saddle n are triggered when that link is separated. I know he bike racers are wearing inflatable suits. Have u seen those armoured inflatable riding jackets too?

Im very glad my 17.3hh boy who has to come back off loan this month is so laid back! Im more likely to break a bone on my feisty old pony

I don't think it would be reusable after a bike crash as it would probably shred to bits! may even on a horse if you land on a heavily abrasive surface.

However if its saves your life then the one time use is still worth it!

A good idea but the shape it inflates to might play a factor in how suitable for an MC it is.
..you probably don't want to be doing barrel rolls down the motorway at 70.

Btw..I'd probably avoid placing an order through that link on Ebay.
If you follow the link to their online shop it says it doesn't exist.

Have u seen those armoured inflatable riding jackets too?

Yes I have and thats the one Id probably get her but they're more like £400.

The jacket of choice amongst the equestrians is the PointTwo - we bought one for the rider of our horse to try and safeguard our partnership! As said, they are only suitable for use over an approved body protector (and Ellie, William Fox-Pitt is a tall guy so there must be protectors that fit). Ollie Townend had a big fall at Lexington this year and claims the PointTwo he was wearing saved him from injury.

Another company that is less known in horses but started in bikes is Hit Air.

And yes, I have seen several riders finish the cross-country, leap off their horses delighted to have completed and set off the jackets. In fact this is a reason some choose not to wear them, since this means a new CO2 cartridge which means extra cost.

The equestrian ones use a tether to set them off - it is important to get the tether the right length - too short and it goes off if you lean back too far (eg a drop fence) or get jumped out of the saddle; too long and it deploys too late to be fully inflated before impact.

The inflatable Dainese bike leathers used in motorsport don't use a tether to set them off, they use an ECU with motion sensors and GPS to determine if the rider is falling off or not.

She always wears a body protector when jumping or hunting but I dont know what to do about the air jacket. Will take her to try some on maybe. I think it may have been Ollie Townend that survived the rotational fall??



Thanks for all the advise chaps and chapesses

Child number one with horse 'Archie'

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i think it's spidi that do a bike one too which is resuseable concentrated to cushion the neck (assuming of course that the jacket doesn't get shredded going down the road!) I think someone told me it clips to something so that it works a bit like an airbag when it goes off as opposed to going off if you forget to unclip it when you get off. I know nothing about horses - i'm too small to want to get on one and i distrust anything that large that goes that fast without an on/off switch!