Testing my air vest last night led me to the conclusion that I may need to send it back to the manufacture. The amount of force it took to pull the cord and for it to implode seemed like a bit to much. Any suggestions on how to test your vest to make sure its up to par??? I have dismounted many times with out it going off as well. hmmmmmm
It takes a lot of force for it to go off when you pull it. I’ve accidentally gotten off without setting it off (as did an ammie man I used to work for). I don’t typically leap off but slide off. I think that’s why. It has worked appropriately each time I’ve fallen in it.
These are questions the manufacturer, not the consumer, should have to answer. :no:
Well, I know I’ve been told the amount if force a Point 2 requires…I just can’t remember the figure. As is typical of COTH, people turn here first instead of where they should (manufacturer, in this case).
‘implode’? That’s an interesting concept.
[QUOTE=yellowbritches;7100535]
As is typical of COTH, people turn here first instead of where they should (manufacturer, in this case).[/QUOTE]
OTOH, P2 has not shown itself to be a very reliable source of information. The false claims on the website, the advertising standards reprimands, etc.
We own both and have found both vests to be very effective. They do have different functionalities, advantages, and disadvantages.
We always test fire a new vest, whether it’s ours or our students’, with the vest properly fit to the user. The first fire (manually) usually takes a lot of force, and several times we’ve found the cylinder assembled wrong (our fault).
several times we’ve found the cylinder assembled wrong (our fault).
One of my concerns. I don’t want to pay the iron price if I have a dumb moment and hook up my lanyard incorrectly to the cylinder.
[QUOTE=deltawave;7100962]
One of my concerns. I don’t want to pay the iron price if I have a dumb moment and hook up my lanyard incorrectly to the cylinder.[/QUOTE]
Do you feel the same way about parachutes?
:lol::winkgrin::eek:
Sorry, totally joking, couldn’t resist…
A fair question, and the main reason why I would never voluntarily put myself in a position where a parachute is likely to be needed. 
:lol:
[QUOTE=secretariat;7100695]
…The first fire (manually) usually takes a lot of force, and several times we’ve found the cylinder assembled wrong (our fault).[/QUOTE]
It is not your fault. It is POOR design on the part of the manufacturer. What you say, is like saying you assembled your helmet wrong before you got on the horse. The idea of safety equipment is not to rely on the user to assemble it for the very reason you note, users get it wrong and then wonder why they are injured. (Designed to fail dangerous.)
A helmet will work whether fastened or not. However, fastening it securely increases its efficacy should you fall. That is fail safe. It is innately easy to use as it is a hat with a strap, nothing more.
Hence, in industry an other places where you need significant safety equipment, design is geared to making the use and application of said equipment as simple and easy to use so the user themselves just innately get it right, e.g. standard safety vests that wear like a regular jacket (also why EXOs were not really popular).
I would feel so much better about the vests if the failure of the single moving part led to the vest just NOT WORKING, or releasing without inflation than the current design which appears to leave a measurable risk of the lanyard NOT detaching. That is MY definition of fail safe. Better to have the item fail to do anything at all than to become an additional source of potential injury.
Props for an excellent use of a Game of Thrones reference, delta…
The lanyard is attached with a plastic safety clip like you see on quick release dog collars. I’m sure it will break with enough pressure.
RAYers - please do not misquote me. The only failures we have had are OUR ERRORs in assembly. As engineers, we should both understand that can happen and IS NOT the fault of the manufacturers.
Has anyone experienced a fall in one with the air vest alone? (no safety vest under it). Thanks for any first hand anecdotes!
[QUOTE=secretariat;7101370]
RAYers - please do not misquote me. The only failures we have had are OUR ERRORs in assembly. As engineers, we should both understand that can happen and IS NOT the fault of the manufacturers.[/QUOTE]
I am not misquoting you. I am using your statement as an example of how NOT to design safety equipment. You should know this as well, being an engineer. It is the fault of the manufacturers (remember your class, Design for Manufacturing/Service/etc.?). I can promise you that in a court of law, you have a valid case for compensation should you get injured and the vest does not function, even if you assembled it incorrectly. I seen a few similar cases.
Maybe you might remember this chestnut from school, “The function of the engineer is to anticipate the stupidity of the users and design to remove that.” That is a fundamental concept of safety equipment design for the general public.
Look at the fact P2 has had to redesign how the cartridge was punctured. They knew there was a failure mode there (yes, I discussed it with them) that was exacerbated when the cartridge was misaligned during insertion. Thus, they had to create a 5 minute video explaining how to insert the cartridges.
As for Winding Down, that plastic clip is WAY stronger than you think. Ask the 4 cases I know of where the rider was lock to the horse when the lanyard did not release. They had to cut the cord because the clip did not break.
I don’t event any more, so what would I know - but it seems to me that in the haste to become top dog of the technology manufacturers are putting out equipment prematurely before full testing is complete.
[QUOTE=Foxtrot’s;7101435]
I don’t event any more, so what would I know - but it seems to me that in the haste to become top dog of the technology manufacturers are putting out equipment prematurely before full testing is complete.[/QUOTE]
http://www.eggparka.com/english/main.html
They seem to be a big deal on Japan… For motorcyclists.
[QUOTE=Winding Down;7101458]
http://www.eggparka.com/english/main.html
They seem to be a big deal on Japan… For motorcyclists.[/QUOTE]
Would you have a problem wearing/trusting a motorcycle helmet for riding, using the premise of “they seem to be a big deal in Japan… for motorcyclists”?
