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.

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

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).

Marvin said...

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.

Seriously?

Get some medical advice, X-ray and / or bone scan, also youn may need to check to see if your bone density is OK. Normal ribs don't break easily.

In the part of body armour, you'll need something you can swim in. Try a six six one motor cross pressure suit. Go into any Moto X accessories department and look for the pressure suit style. They are tight, light and will fit under your rashie. The external stuff will move all over the place with any water impact and could most likely cause you more harm.

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.

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.

fjordfiend said...

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.

There are still plenty of impact vests on the market, I've tried a few different ones. My current one is a Flying Objects vest, it protects the ribs front and rear, adds buoyancy and great for retaining body heat. I keep doing stupid stuff on my kites and can safely say it's saved a few broken ribs.

But like all the other comments, 20 broken ribs suggests an underlying problem or something that never healed.

Good luck.

Roger303 said...

I wear a barefoot waterski springsuit. The bouyancy floatation material is stitched into the suit in strips down the front creating a protective area for the ribs. Doubles as a PFD, all in one. Highly recommend them:
http://wing.com.au/Product/1278994798437-7494/category/18/Bouyancy-Suits

This is a really good idea as barefoot suits are designed with enormous impacts in mind, I tried bare-footing and gave up after all the body slams, did have some fun though.
My 2c

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).