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Hello
I'm seeking advice on body armour.
I seem to tear intercostal muscles on a regular basis when I get trashed - used to be hitting the boom but now its even just hitting the water at speed. Did an over-the-handlebars on my SUP a week ago and did it again. Fed up with being off the water for 5 weeks.... again.
Anyway, I have tried those soft body protection type jackets/harnesses that people like Neil Pryde made for kite surfers etc - not up to it.
I was wondering if anybody has experience with motorcycle or other chest/body armour? Would that work in the water and still be managable? Any other ideas?
One depressed robot.
Hi,
I used to ride dirt bikes and had body armour. It saved you a bit from impacts. I'm not sure if it would protect from tearing muscles. Perhaps strapping would help give the support needed. The body armour was a bit heavy. It wouldn't be that good to windsurf with.
be careful with what you wear, earlir in the year we rerigged my schooner with a viking square sail and with a few minutes of setting sail the first horned helmet went over the side.
one of the crew had a chin strap on his helmet, and he lookied fnhilarious when he got snagged on a sheetline when we gybed
If your tearing muscles, get a size smaller wet suit than what you need. Or try strapping it.
No insult intended but if you are doing intercostals when just falling off a SUP there is something wrong. Unless you were in 10ft hollow-as-blazes kinda waves.
Or unless doing 30kn plus on a windsurfer and hit the water really funny and all twisted up.
I'd suggest an underlying problem like the first boom impact injury has not healed (cos that will do an intercostal) but even just spinal alignment maybe is stressing one area - see a really good chiro, and physio, and sports physician.
Caveat: not a doctor.
)
LOL - loved that halo suit.
But seriously, I do have a problem. Not sure why, but I have 'broken' my ribs more than 20 times in my life. Probably becoming a chronic thing now.
Anyway, I liked the look of this Star Wars stormtrooper chest plate under the wettie:
Or else possibly this type of motocross protection over the top (you can remove the back plate they say).
I agree with all those suggesting see your doctor.
You have a problem which is going to require more than simple protection.
I was looking for a picture of a 'cup of cement'...but chose against it
- as mentioned above - see your doc!
An impact vest would simply spread the impact to a larger area and you still could get multiple injuries, and personally, I wouldn't like to hit the water in restrictive body armour of any sort that isn't designed for water activities.
Thanks for all your input!
Doctors are often poor uninformed souls - I should know, I'm married to one. (I see her regularly....)
No, you just have to do what you think is best. And certainly don't let yourself get in the clutches of a high tech specialist. Good for his new BMW, but no good for your health (well, sometimes they do perform miracles, I admit...).
Anyway, I have chosen to go with this protector available from here http://www.proaccessories.com.au/products/forcefield/torso_protection.htm
At only 1.5cm thick, it should be able to slip inside the wettie or under the rashie (comes with straps).
I'll see how it goes once I get back on the water.
Looks like it will move a lot. It's designed to be worn under race leathers, so will most likely have fabric designed to absorb sweat - with means it will get heavy when filled with water, then move about a bit more.
The type of thing i was describing is used a lot in MTB and moto - light weight, will still absorb water - (?how much) but at least it is snug fitting.
eg:
It's quite possible that you have osteoporosis. I have seen it before on a 35 year old male, no explanation after exhaustive testing.
just a thought.........
Try a kite shop, impact vests were all the rage a few years ago. Most have some inherent bouyancy as well which make the water starts easier.
You can even get them with integral waist harness.
I still ride dirt bikes regularly and i use a "Dainese wave V2". As far as pressure suits go there is nothing that compares for protection and comfort. While they do have some padding in them in certain areas for comfort like the others the back and chest protector parts has honeycomb aluminium inside for protection rather than just lots of foam all over the place so in theory it should absorb less water so weigh less. The down side is the cost. Where brands like oneal or 661 will be under $300 the Dainese is around $600 but if i stuffed mine i would buy another no questions asked they are awesome. Believe me i've had some big ones and after my last big one the specialist told me if i wasn't wearing that suit with a leatt neck brace i would be in a wheelchair now. What's $600?. Nothing in comparison.
Is the seat harness compatible with a barefoot waterski wetsuit?,.. Yes.
I wear a waist harness usually, but my seat harness also fits fine.
There's even enough room to fit a steamer wetsuit underneath the barefoot spring-suit during winter, then the harness over the top of both.
Just need to have to have the harness adjustments close to maximum out. (that's with a waist size 32, ahem, 34 more like!). The floatation is stitched into the wetsuit from the waist upwards, on the front and back.
The PFD that is stitched into the barefoot suit is a 'level 3' registered PFD (Personal Floatation Device) from memory. As a lifejacket it works really well, because it is held firmly in place. It is this lifejacket material that doubles as an impact vest. Normal life jackets can ride up when in the water, very annoying. (Lifejackets are required during comps).
