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The Helite company looks back on more than 20 years of experience in the development and manufacture of airbags. The range includes not only the airbag vest for riders, but also airbag systems for motorcyclists and airbags for child seats, for example. This in-depth knowledge flows into the development of riding vests with airbags. Helite offers different models for riders. The protective vest is mainly used in show jumping and eventing. The Airjacket is a compact protective riding vest that is worn over clothing. The Helite Zip'In airbag system 2.0 can be worn either as a stand-alone safety vest or integrated into a riding jacket or waistcoat, provided this has enough stretch material so that the waistcoat can inflate unhindered in an emergency. This has the advantage that the airbag vest does not attract attention at first glance, making it possible to wear an elegant outfit for tournaments, for example. No matter which solution you choose, the system works the same. It protects you the moment you leave the saddle in a fall, before you can make contact with the ground or obstacles.
The safety vests with airbag system offer all-round protection for the most important parts of the upper body. In the back, they inflate along the spine, kidneys, tailbone, and hips. The head and neck is also stabilized. Your front is also protected and supported. This protects the chest and all internal bones and organs such as ribs, lungs, spleen, stomach and liver from external forces.
The principle is as simple as it is effective. You connect the rip cord, which is located on the release mechanism of the CO2 cartridge, to the saddle attachment. If you fall, the ripcord triggers a mechanism that inflates the protective vest with lightning speed. In order to trigger the function, however, a pulling force of at least 20 - 30kg is required. If you forget to unbuckle before dismounting, the system can trigger depending on the height of the horse and momentum when dismounting. But unbuckling quickly becomes accustomed to. It takes between 2 and 80 ms to completely fill the vest with CO100. If you hit the ground or hit an obstacle, the airbag is already fully inflated and will remain so for another 2 to 3 minutes. After about 5 to 10 minutes, the protective vest then loses the air and can then be made ready for use again with a new cartridge. Incidentally, this is simply screwed into the corresponding holder.
If you are using the airbag protective vest for the first time or if the airbag vest has been deployed, it takes a few simple steps to make it ready for use again. For this purpose, Helite has created a few videos that explain exactly how to proceed. You can also find instructions here on how to attach the rip cord to the saddle.
The Zip'In Airbag riding vest can be worn under compatible Helite clothing. For this purpose, it is attached to the upper material with zippers and cannot slip. The Zip'In 2.0 protective vest can also be worn as an independent system over or under clothing. Although Helite's Zip'In compatible clothing is recommended, you can also wear version 2.0 under clothing from other manufacturers. This only has to contain sufficient elastic material so that the development and the complete pressure build-up are not hindered.
Never wash the Helite airbag vests in the washing machine or soak them in water. You can use a brush and warm water with soap for cleaning. Then hang the vest on a hanger and let it dry. The airbag vests must not be dried in a tumble dryer or on a heater.
Of course you can also wear the airbag in the rain. The different upper materials determine whether the vest is waterproof or not. However, be careful not to get completely soaked for a very long time. It is best to spray the vest with a suitable impregnation spray so that the rain runs off directly.
The advantage of an airbag vest is the mobility of the rider. When not inflated, the protective vest is very flexible and doesn't get in the way when riding, working in the stable or cleaning the horse. Unfortunately, there is still no tested standard for airbag vests in equestrian sports. Therefore, airbag vests are not yet approved as protective clothing at tournaments. The classic Level 3 back protector, on the other hand, offers tested protection and is therefore also approved for off-road tests. Unfortunately, the fixed protector restricts the freedom of movement a little, it's bulky and you sweat underneath it in summer. But of course, safety comes first. This is the case with both vests.
