Technology
How does Helite's Technology work?
Helite equestrian airbag systems are provided with a mechanical detection system including one lanyard, one saddle strap to be installed on the horse’s saddle and one CO2 cartridge. To activate the system, the rider simply has to hook up the carabiner of the lanyard on the saddle strap. No tools or technical knowledge are required for this installation.
In case of a fall, the lanyard will unhook and the gas cartridge will deploy the airbag in less than 100 ms (faster than the blink of an eye). The airbag absorbs the impact and completely stabilizes the upper body from head to tailbone. After inflation, the system can be reused and reconditioned by the rider in less than 2 minutes. Simply change the gas cartridge. For an airvest to deploy the rider and the horse must be separated.
How do I correctly install the device?
In order, to work correctly, the saddle straps and the key ball must be placed correctly. To properly put on the saddle straps, watch the following video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWgCbBZUsBo#Faq
How do I install the saddle straps?
Saddle straps are easy to install and don’t require any special tools or knowledge.
- Remove the two stirrup leathers from your saddle,
- Attach the two Y-arms on each side of your saddle to the stirrup bars. You will probably have to loosen the saddle strap to reach the stirrup bars
- Put your stirrup leathers back on. Once the installation is completed, make sure to adjust your saddle strap and lanyard properly.
CAUTION: Only hook the lanyard in the saddle strap since any other part of the saddle could break in case of fall. Please make sure that your lanyard cannot wrap around the saddle.
Video: How to install your saddle straps https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWgCbBZUsBo
What's the proper length for the saddle straps?
Your saddle straps should not be too long or too short. If the saddle straps is too long it might delay the inflation of the airbag. If the saddle straps is too short it might deploy the airbag unexpectedly, especially when you descend.
Why install saddle straps?
The saddle straps is the only part of the saddle that relies safely the airbag and the rider to the horse. Stirrups bars are strong, centered on the saddle and won't break in case of fall.
What body parts are protected by the airbag vest?
In the event of a fall, the unique shape of the Helite airbag offers optimal and complete protection of the vital areas: spinal column, kidneys, thorax and hips. They compress the trunk for better resistance to hyper-extension and stabilize head and neck. Our airbags also provide trunk stiffening to stabilize and protect internal organs such as the lungs, pancreas, abdomen, stomach and liver. Stabilization of the head, neck and spine to avoid whiplash injuries and hyperextension.
What is the time of inflation?
The inflation time of Helite's airbag systems is 100 ms which is faster than the blink of an eye. This speed allows to inflate a big volume with optimal pressure.
What is the Protection's volume?
Helite's airbags offer the biggest protection volume on the market between 14 and 28 L, depending on the size of the airbag. The bigger the volume, the more the impact will be absorbed in the event of a fall.
Size
How do I choose the right size?
It is important to choose the right size of airbag system for optimal protection.
Hint: measuring your back is important and a good indication to find the right size.
Caution: the minimum weight of the user must be 35 kg (77 pounds). Our airbag systems must always be worn over your clothing or rigid protections, don’t forget to take this into account when measuring. For the AIRJACKET model, a fist must be placed between the vest and the clothing you are wearing under the vest.
Disciplines
Which airbag is for which discipline?
Helite equestrian airbag systems are provided with a mechanical detection system including one lanyard, one saddle strap to be installed on the horse’s saddle and one CO2 cartridge. To activate the system, the rider simply has to hook up the carabiner of the lanyard on the saddle strap. No tools or technical knowledge are required for this installation.
In case of a fall, the lanyard will unhook and the gas cartridge will deploy the airbag in less than 100 ms (faster than the blink of an eye). The airbag absorbs the impact and completely stabilizes the upper body from head to tailbone. After inflation, the system can be reused and reconditioned by the rider in less than 2 minutes. Simply change the gas cartridge. For an airvest to deploy the rider and the horse must be separated.
Noise
When the airbag deploys, does the noise spook the horse?
It's very rare that horses spook when the airbag deploys. The inflation of the airbag is so fast that the horse has no time to analyze what happened and be scared.
Zip'in Free or Air Jacket?
First use
All Helite's airbag systems are delivered ready-to-use. This means that you can use the airbag directly after your purchase. The airbag consists of 1 cartridge, 1 lanyard and a saddle strap. Make sure to install the saddle strap correctly to the stirrups bar and read carefully the user guide.
How do I wear the airbag vest?
The AirJacket is worn over your equipment (garment and rigid protection). The Zip’In Airbag is combined with the compatible outer via a zip or can be worn on its own. Caution: remember to close the adjustment straps (AirJacket) and the zip (Zip’In) to get the best protection in case of a fall.
Is the airbag vest water repellant?
Helite outers and airbags are designed for outdoor use. You can also wear them when it rains. In case of heavy rain, we recommend adding a rain cape and back at the barn, hang the vest to let it dry.
Can I wear a body protector underneath the airbag vest?
For the AirJacket, there is no problem because it's made to be worn on top of your equipment (jacket or rigid protection). In the case of the Zip'in vest, it's not recommended as it may be very tight under the vest.
Can I wear the airbag vest alone?
The Helite equestrian airbag can be worn under compatible garment or on top of any other garment. Please note, only compatible clothing with the logo guarantees that your airbag will deploy correctly, ensuring maximum safety.
What are the compatible garments?
You can't wear the airbag under any garment. In case of fall the airbag wouldn't deploy correctly. Only garment with the "compatible label" will insure that the airbag will deploy correctly and protect the rider safely.
Cartridges
Which cartridge should I use?
The size of the cartridge depends on the size of the airbag vest. The size is indicated in the vest where you insert the cartridge, on the label of the cartridge in the user guide or on Helite.com website. Only Helite cartridges may be use for optimal performance of the airbag vest. If other brands of cartridges are used, the warranty doesn't apply and Helite won't be responsible in case of dysfunctionality.
One time use
Cartridges are not reusable. If the cartridge is used, there is no more gas. You may recycle it if it applies in your area or put it in the garbage.
How to verify the cartridge?
Cartridges are under warranty for 10 years. We advise to verify the cartridge once a year. It's very simple, unscrew it and put it on a kitchen scale. The weight should be + or - 3g max of the weight indicated on the cartridge.
Falling
How to reuse the airbag vest after a fall?
After a fall and the deployment of the airbag, the rider can get back on his horse in a few minutes. Easy to use, the airbag is reconditioned by the rider himself without any intervention on our part. Simply replace the empty cartridge with a new Helite cartridge of the same capacity.
What happens when the rider falls?
When the rider is ejected of the saddle, it pulls out the key ball lanyard activating the system which means that the gas deploys into the airbag in less than 100 ms (faster than the blink of an eye). The airbag absorbs the impact stabilizing the upper body from head to tailbone protecting internal organs and preventing whiplash.
How long does the airbag remain inflated after a fall?
In case of fall, the airbag vest inflates in less than 100 ms, protecting and stabilizing the upper body between 15-20 seconds. Then it slowly deflates. After 5-7 minutes it will be completely deflated. Trick: to deflate the airbag quicker, unscrew the cartridge. You can remove the airbag right after the fall.
Dismounting
What happens when the rider forgets to unclip before getting off the horse?
It depends on the power of the traction. If you descend your horse smoothly, the system will not deploy, if you jump off your horse, the system might deploy. Helite's airbag systems are provided with a mechanical system preventing unexpected activation. The tractive force required to trigger the airbag is between 20 and 30 kg depending on the size. If the rider forgets to detach himself when getting off the horse, he will feel a strong tension on his garment. Like the seatbelt in the car, attaching and detaching the lanyard will quickly become a habit.
Maintenance
How do I take care of my Air Vest
We advise to do an annual control to make sure your airbag works correctly.
Annual maintenance
To ensure that your airbag is working properly, please make sure to do an annual verification.
- Unscrew the CO2 cartridge and check its weight to make sure that no gas has escaped.
- Open the activation system (using the Allen key), clean the components with a cloth, check that there is no abnormal deterioration or rust.
See the annual inspection video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVJTlRijHm0
How can I clean Helite's airbag vest?
AirJacket: You must not machine wash or immerse your airjacket in water. We recommend that you clean your airbag by rubbing it with a soft cloth and soapy water.
Zip’in airbag: You must not machine wash it or immerse it in water. We advise you to clean it by rubbing it with a soft cloth and soapy water (no detergent products that could alter the fabric).
Outers: Can be machine washed at 30 C / Warm wather. In general, do not tumble dry, lay on a radiator or near a source of intense heat. Once clean, store the airbag in a dry place away from humidity.
Warranty
What are the warranties offered on the airbag vest?
All our airbag systems come with a 4 year warranty if the product is registered on www.my.helite.com within 3 months of purchase. For registration, you will need your serial number (located on your product), the date of purchase and your invoice.
Travelling with your Airbag Vest
Can I travel with the airbag vest?
You can travel with Helite's airbag in bus, car or train without any restrictions. If you travel by plane, you may encounter some difficulties with the safety services regarding the CO2 cartridges used to inflate the airbag. According to the regulation (IATA regulation), you are allowed to fly with 2 gas cartridges (volume must be less than 200cc), in the cabin or in the hold. Even if the regulation allows it, it is possible that the security service or the airline company will refuse to let you board with it.
We strongly recommend that you print out the “IATA Regulations” and show this document to the security service or the airline during the check if they ask for further explanations. In any case, it is the airport security service and the airline that will make the final decision on whether or not to accept the airbag on board.
https://www.iata.org/contentassets/6fea26dd84d24b26a7a1fd5788561d6e/dgr-62-en-2.3a.pdf