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The biggest advantage of an airbag vest over a level 3 body armor is the ability to move freely. The airbag vest can be worn like a normal riding vest and therefore does not restrict the movement of the upper body. The Helite airbag vest Zip in 2 can also be zipped into a matching competition jacket or worn without a top vest.
In addition to freedom of movement, protection is of course particularly important. Airbag vests inflate in seconds and protect you in the event of an impact with bulging air cushions. These reduce the forces acting on the body many times over. In addition to the spine and chest, the neck, coccyx and pelvis are better protected than conventional protectors.
Airbag vests are comparatively expensive to buy. This can be daunting at first. In addition, the rip cord of the airbag vest must be detached manually from the saddle before dismounting. If you forget to do this, the vest can be triggered and you've wasted a cartridge. You should also handle your airbag vest with care so that there are no accidental holes in the material that would impair its function.
Unfortunately, airbag vests are not yet officially approved as equipment in tests. Therefore, you still have to use a level 3 vest in cross-country tests. Many cross-country riders in difficult tests also wear an airbag vest over their level 3 vest.
After getting on, the airbag vest is connected to the saddle with a ripcord. If the rider falls, the rip cord tightens and releases the cartridge mechanism. The contained gas now flows into the chambers of the airbag vest in fractions of a second. This protects the rider from the strong force of an impact. A few minutes after inflation, the airbag vest slowly releases the air again and the released cartridge can be replaced with a new one. If in doubt, you should always have a spare cartridge with you or at least nearby so that you can get the vest ready for use again straight away.
The purchase is worthwhile in any case if you ride a lot of cross-country jumps or complete high and difficult jumping courses. Even with young horses, a purchase is certainly useful, as they can still be very skittish and unpredictable. In dressage, an airbag vest is an advantage because you can move much better with it than with a level 3 safety vest.
The deployment of the airbag vest is not silent. The volume can be compared to a strong hand clapping. So it's not quite as loud as you would expect. Dropping poles while jumping can be significantly louder. Whether your horse is startled by the noise depends on how jumpy it is, of course. Some horses are already on the alert position at small noises, others are not interested if a tractor is pushing manure right next to them. If you are unsure about your horse, use a cartridge and let the vest deploy in a safe environment. This will give you a better idea of how your horse will react.
