"airbag" for surfing

[Northbeach1978]

Hi,
I´m wondering if anyone knows where to buy a vest/wetsuit/etc with a airbag in it, like i use in skiing http://www.ortovox.com/uk/shop/backpacks/avalanche-backpacks/

Whats out there for surfing?

Martin

[Big H]

Why do you want/need an avalanche air bag for surfing?

[icetime]

Unless you're going to mavericks or some suicide surf spot you won't ever need an inflatable vest let alone an airbag.
Incase you actually are in need of an inflatable vest, you better have a thick wallet because good ones cost as much as a board
http://www.amazon.com/Quatic-Inflatable ... 077&sr=8-7
Here's one I see all the time in big wave surf videos, keep in mind it's just suppose to save you until a jetski can snatch you.

[pmcaero]

Hi,
I´m wondering if anyone knows where to buy a vest/wetsuit/etc with a airbag in it, like i use in skiing http://www.ortovox.com/uk/shop/backpacks/avalanche-backpacks/

Whats out there for surfing?

Martin

the cheapest solution is to move somewhere cold and wear a 6mm wetsuit.

[Big H]

Unless you're going to mavericks or some suicide surf spot you won't ever need an inflatable vest let alone an airbag.
Incase you actually are in need of an inflatable vest, you better have a thick wallet because good ones cost as much as a board
http://www.amazon.com/Quatic-Inflatable ... 077&sr=8-7
Here's one I see all the time in big wave surf videos, keep in mind it's just suppose to save you until a jetski can snatch you.

Wow.....amazon has everything.....

[oldmansurfer]

Inflatable devices need to be deflatable to keep surfers from getting pushed up into cliffs or rocky shorelines and pummeled on the rocks or blown a hundred miles out to sea by the wind.

[icetime]

Inflatable devices need to be deflatable to keep surfers from getting pushed up into cliffs or rocky shorelines and pummeled on the rocks or blown a hundred miles out to sea by the wind.

Yep the one I posted has 2 cords, one to inflate and one to deflate, uses co2 canisters I believe.

[oldmansurfer]

Avalanche airbags are interesting. They are not a flotation device. It is based on the idea that large objects end up on the surface. To demonstrate this try shaking a can of mixed nuts back and forth and the larger nuts will come up to the surface. I guess in big wave surfing they don't worry about this since only the big nuts do it

[spreadtheshred]

Maybe I'm a newb but are we just talking about a life jacket here? The idea is that you have something to assist you to the surface when you get smashed?

There are plenty of low profile life jackets out there that could provide this extra buoyancy without impairing your performance. It would probably make duck diving a bit more difficult but thats about it.

I was just watching a documentary about big wave surfing and a bunch of guys were wearing vests. Granted they were being towed in so they didn't exactly have to worry about the vest affecting their paddling or duck diving.


What kind of waves are you going after that you are wanting a life jacket for? I feel like you're maybe staring at waves that are way out of your league or you're not a very strong swimmer. If its the latter I would recommend you get better at swimming because just having gear isn't going to save your ass. Kind of like having an airbag and a beacon isn't going to save your ass while skiing if you aren't very good at it. Just a thought.

I might be off base with my answer, I'm still learning about all of this too

[oldmansurfer]

Sunny Garcia, one of the entrants to the Eddie Aikau Big Wave event at Waimea Bay was asked why he didn't wear a safety vest like most of the other competitors? He answered that if he felt he needed one that would be a reason for him to not go out.

[Northbeach1978]

Thanks for all the good answers! I will contact Quatic and see what they say about my thoughts and where to get it.
Doesn't Rip Curl, Quicksilver or any of those giants on wetsuits have anything?

Martin from cold Sweden

[Big H]

What is it that you worry about? With that swedish level wetsuit you will float like a boat. Outside of that build your way up to what you can handle....shoulder to head high waves will barely put a dent in you; i dont think you need that at all.

[icetime]

Thanks for all the good answers! I will contact Quatic and see what they say about my thoughts and where to get it.
Doesn't Rip Curl, Quicksilver or any of those giants on wetsuits have anything?

Martin from cold Sweden

Nah they just sell wetsuits, boards and basic gear, nothing for extreme sports like that, I'm really curious why you need an emergency vest like that.

[icetime]

Maybe I'm a newb but are we just talking about a life jacket here? The idea is that you have something to assist you to the surface when you get smashed?

There are plenty of low profile life jackets out there that could provide this extra buoyancy without impairing your performance. It would probably make duck diving a bit more difficult but thats about it.

I was just watching a documentary about big wave surfing and a bunch of guys were wearing vests. Granted they were being towed in so they didn't exactly have to worry about the vest affecting their paddling or duck diving.


What kind of waves are you going after that you are wanting a life jacket for? I feel like you're maybe staring at waves that are way out of your league or you're not a very strong swimmer. If its the latter I would recommend you get better at swimming because just having gear isn't going to save your ass. Kind of like having an airbag and a beacon isn't going to save your ass while skiing if you aren't very good at it. Just a thought.

I might be off base with my answer, I'm still learning about all of this too

The guys at the red bull event at mavericks paddled into the waves with vests on with no problem, a little extra struggle is better than being held down on the sea bed
Take a look

[oldmansurfer]

I bet there are less than a few guys who post here and surf waves where an inflatable vest might help

[waikikikichan]

Maybe Martin does sports on another level than most of us ?

I-OPERATE-ON-ANOTHER-LEVEL_o_95089.jpg (43.03 KiB) Viewed 1481 times

[icetime]

Maybe Martin does sports on another level than most of us ?

I-OPERATE-ON-ANOTHER-LEVEL_o_95089.jpg

Well he is new, maybe he surfs big spots? Or is new to surfing and is anxious about drowning.

[roczombie]

Being a beginner with Dominical as my home break I too am prepared for when I practice on the big waves some day. On Amazon I purchased a nice 'safety' item for wearing under my rash guard some day, ONYX A/M/24 Inflatable life vest. Can be manually inflated or just pull the yellow cord for instant CO2 fill. It is unnoticeable under your shirt or rash guard, Great quality and Coast Guard approved. Can be deflated when your 'oh sh*t' situation is over! I respect your safety concerns and when surfing alone in the big stuff their is no shame in being prepared to save your self! rock on.

[oldmansurfer]

If you are in big waves and you inflate your vest, that doesn't save your life. It is only step one of a two part protocol. Step two is the jet ski needs to get to you and pick you up before you get pounded again. If you are using it for safety on small waves for situations like you get separated from your board and are too tired to swim it may save your life but might need some assistance from a lifeguard or someone else.

[saltydog]

Inflatable devices need to be deflatable to keep surfers from getting pushed up into cliffs or rocky shorelines and pummeled on the rocks or blown a hundred miles out to sea by the wind.

Yep the one I posted has 2 cords, one to inflate and one to deflate, uses co2 canisters I believe.

That means the user has to remember how many canisters are left whenever he/she is in water. You always want to have at least 1 canister left at the end of the session. Almost like playing a video game and keeping track of the number of lives. Anyway, I'm quite curious of OP's circumstance.