Questions to Ask Your Retailer When Buying an Equestrian Air Vest
From a series published by ShowPlus, in collaboration with Ride EquiSafe.
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Asking the right questions is critical to understanding the capabilities of safety products and making the best decisions for yourself. That’s why you need an expert to talk to, someone who will share information without you even having to ask about it.
But just in case that doesn’t happen, here’s a list of questions you should get answered when you are shopping for protective equipment, specifically in this case: air vests and body protectors.
𝑸𝑼𝑬𝑺𝑻𝑰𝑶𝑵𝑺 (and the answers you should hear)
What safety standard is this air vest/body protector certified to?
There are very clear certification standards for body protectors. There are three international equestrian safety standards for foam-based body protectors: CE EN 13158, ASTM F1937, and ASTM F2681.
The British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) maintains the EN equestrian standards. There are three levels of protection to cater for different riding activities. The latest European safety standard is EN 13158 and BETA 2018.
𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝟏 (𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐥)
Body protectors certified to Level 1 provide a lower level of impact protection and are mainly used in racing to achieve the lightest weight possible.
𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝟐 (𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐥)
Body protectors suitable for general riding in very low-risk situations.
𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝟑 (𝐛𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐥)
Body protectors certified to Level 3 provide a level of protection that is considered appropriate for casual and competitive horse riding, including eventing and the hunter/jumper discipline. Protectors to this level should prevent minor bruising that would have produced stiffness and pain, reduce soft tissue injuries and bruising, and prevent a limited number of rib fractures.
𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝟑 – 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 (𝐛𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐥)
Body protectors designed to meet the needs of horse drivers.
For more information about Beta standards, follow this link: https://www.beta-uk.org/.../safety.../body-protectors.php
Safety Equipment Institute (SEI) maintains American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards. ASTM F1937 is a standard that specifies:
• Requirements for the body protector assembly the extent and form of the protective material used the attachments
• The dimension, sizing, and body coverage provided. Testing procedures include a shock attenuation test, a penetration, and deformation test, an impact sites test, a padding separation test, and a closure test.
These tests are done in four conditions: ambient temperature, low temperature, high temperature, and water immersion.
ASTM F2681 is a standard for body protectors that covers the minimum performance criteria and outlines test methods for body protectors that will be used specifically for horse racing.
For air vests, there is currently no unified safety standard, although there are discussions underway to develop them. This in no way means that the products haven’t been lab-tested and that there isn’t supporting data regarding their efficacy. It just means that there isn’t a common testing standard.
For more information about research and studies on air vests and body protectors, follow this link: https://www.rideequisafe.com/pages/studies.
For products to be sold in Europe as safety products, they need to be CE marked, which includes rigorous testing. One of the test labs for air vests is CRITT Sports et Loisirs.
Until recently, some air vests were tested to the SATRA M38: Issue 3 February 2015 air vest standard. Following a detailed research project funded by the Injured Jockeys Fund and conducted by independent test house SATRA in conjunction with the British Racehorse Authority a standard was established for the use of airbag vests by jockeys, and an amended version covering the use of airbag vests for riders across all other equestrian disciplines.
SATRA has recently discontinued air vest testing.
What are the features that set apart the different air vests/body protectors? How is a particular air vest/body protector supposed to fit as compared to others? Which ones tend to fit different body types better?
𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐁𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬, 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐞:
• Construction - Manufacturers each use a different type of high-density foam. The foam design is either multiple layers of thin foam or etched cells in one continuous piece of foam. Each body protector also has some sort of covering to protect the integrity of the foam. This is either a mesh fabric to improve airflow and breathability, or a solid covering of various materials
• Closure - velcro or lace?
• Foam backing behind closures? Whether the side closures are laced or velcro, the better body protectors have foam paneling behind the front zipper and the side closures.
• Tailbone protection - most body protectors are designed to provide tailbone coverage, but a few do not.
• Collarbone protection - most body protectors are designed to provide collarbone protection, but a few do not.
• Back length - many brands have short, regular, and tall options. This is important to ensure tailbone protection but also to ensure that the body protector isn’t so long that it’s hitting the saddle.
• Gender-based sizing - especially for adults, our morphology is different, so gender-based sizing can be an added bonus for a more customized fit.
• Age-based sizing - many companies do adult and child sizing, but some go so far as to range from toddler to child to teen to adult.
𝐅𝐨𝐫 Horse Riding 𝐀𝐢𝐫 𝐕𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬, 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐞:
• Fit - the majority of air vests on the market (not all) were specifically designed to be worn over a body protector. If planning to wear one of those models alone, sizing needs to be carefully evaluated to make sure the vests aren’t baggy. Air vests that were designed to look like a clothing vest were designed to be worn either alone or over a body protector. Air vest fit should be evaluated to ensure that the air chambers are placed in the areas they were designed to protect and that they will not shift during movement. Air vests are generally designed to protect the neck, back, collarbone, shoulders, ribs, hips, and tailbone. Depending on the design, other areas may be protected as well. A properly fitting air vest, regardless of type, will not have the canister bouncing or tipping and will provide sufficient tailbone coverage in terms of length.
• Closure - some vests have a zip front closure while others have buckle snaps. Typically the buckle snap closures allow for adjustment while the zippered versions do not. Adjustability can be helpful if you live in a place with varying climates and you need to be able to layer clothing under your air vest, as most air vests need to be worn on top of your regular clothes. Some brands’ vests have a zipper front, but mesh, stretchy sides that allow for some layering underneath, and those brands also have options for air vest compatible clothing that can be worn as an outer layer on top of the air vest.
• Canister design and placement - All air vests use a canister filled with compressed CO2, a trigger, and a lanyard that is placed on the right side of the torso. Nearly all air vests use a common canister and trigger design where the CO2 is in an oblong metal tube that usually has a hard backing behind it so that the canister does not sit directly against the torso. One company uses a different design that houses four smaller triggers and canisters within a casing and the backside is curved to sit ergonomically against the torso. The goal with canister placement is to have as much of the canister as possible sitting on a fleshy area that is not in front of critical organs, but individual body types will also determine where the canister sits on each individual in terms of if it sits slightly higher or lower on the torso.
• Saddle strap - all equestrian air vests currently on the market require you to clip into a saddle strap that is installed on the stirrup bars of your saddle. Most air vests use a metal clip that attaches to a metal ring on the saddle strap that sits in front of the pommel of the saddle. One company uses a magnetic clip as opposed to a traditional snap. In the next episode of this series, you will learn more about this particular topic.
𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐋𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐬
The option for different back lengths is more common in body protector sizing than air vests. Many body protectors offer short, regular, and tall back lengths. With air vests, it depends on the design and brand, although some air vest manufacturers are beginning to offer variable back lengths.
𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐚 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐕𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐭?
Both air vests and body protectors take some getting used to.
Many body protectors require some breaking in, akin to a new pair of boots or a new saddle. Depending on the brand, type of foam, and construction, some body protectors mold to your body with the transfer of body heat.
For air vests, it very much depends on type. They should not be loose or baggy to ensure that the air chambers remain in the appropriate location to cover the appropriate area of the body. Especially for the air vests that are designed with the capability to be worn stand-alone without a body protector, these should have a snug fit, especially given that the sides are usually made of a stretchy, mesh material.
Whether you are wearing a body protector or air vest or both, there is definitely an acclimation period. But most people report feeling naked when riding without one once they’ve gotten used to it.
How Should My Saddle Strap and Lanyard Be Set?
It's not uncommon to hear that people are worried about getting jumped loose or getting left behind and having their air vest trigger. That is why the saddle strap is adjustable.
Once mounted, you should clip your lanyard and stand straight up in your stirrups. When doing so, you should not trigger your air vest, but also shouldn’t have too much slack in the lanyard.
Next, try leaning back in the saddle as though getting left behind. As with the standing up test, you should not have so much tension in your lanyard to trigger the vest, but should also not have excess slack. Picture eventers that are leaning way back when dropping into water or down a big bank. They are able to do so without their air vest triggering.
𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐈 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐌𝐲 𝐅𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬?
Yes! This might impact the recommendation about type, brand and fit that is right for you.
For example, some air vest brands use magnets, which should not be used by those that have a pacemaker or other implanted defibrillation device. Your fitter should ask this question. But just in case, make sure to advocate for yourself and offer up the information. This includes, but is not limited to skeletal issues such as previous broken bones or brittle bone conditions and lung issues.