Hey - so got a little carried away on a kiteloop this morning and have cracked a rib (maybe 2) when I landed on my side during the crash.

The damage is concentrated around where the spreader bar has been smashed into my ribs.

What I want to know is - do impact vests work well to minimise these kinds of injuries? I feel like it would be a good investment, but don't want to waste money on a piece of equipment that doesn't do the job.

Would be keen to hear your thoughts/ experiences/ recommendations.

Cheers.

^wot he said

yes buttt......

for me some don't have enough protection at the side. Done me ribs twice without a vest, i have also got it all wrong with a vest and for sure it saved me.

I fortunately can't comment on the impact side of it.

Mine is pretty good for floatation without riding up (it's designed for kiting so has a cut out around the belly thus not riding up). I.e. it assists without making swimming impossible, a must for a ** kiter like me!

&imgrefurl=www.mackiteboarding.com/2012-npx-cult-vest/&h=372&w=347&sz=33&tbnid=GzDKft4zhzWJSM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=84&zoom=1&usg=__ejYgjR3EIwlMcN48L2bGML4UR0E=&docid=dlMJBqtebJ25lM&sa=X&ei=vXlTUvfcAYWBiQeC1oAw&sqi=2&ved=0CGgQ9QEwCg

Yes

Use an Ion vest. Fits well , could probably have a bit more coverage over ribs but helps a lot on impact.

Also has a bit of added flotation for when you are in the water sorting out a problem ( or swimming in ) . Gets hot up here so sometimes don't wear it but always thank myself when I do and have a problem

I guess its like the helmet debate. To use a impact vest or not. I almost broke my ribs last week. Its the only time I have felt like I need a vest for impact in 8 years. should I buy one>? I probably should for the bouancy.

Don't worry about how you look - others will attest to that with me. At least you are taking some risk out of the equation

When it goes pear shaped its funny how you suddenly realise how brittle life's existence is. It's happened on several equations to me and so I wear a helmet and a vest.

Either crashing heavily or being stuck out the back in heaving black swell and facing a long swim onto reef - it's a great time have a vest and think about what a great manager of risk you are while increasing my chances of seeing my family after a great session with a smile on the dial not the feeling I could have died.

Hey Chris-M - ive got the NPX pictured above after cracking a rib back in Feb. It feels comfy and seems to have good side protection - that's why I bought this one after quite a bit of research - BUT *******

How do we get the battle vest and the waist harness to fit properly ?? - caution to all, try on both , together, before you buy!!!!

Im a waist size 34 - 36 and have a Mystic Warrior harness and for the life of me cant work out how to wear the damn things together. Ok atm Im still in the wetsuit - a 4/3 longy but if I wear the vest under the large harness - the harness aint big enough - and to wear the vest over the harness - well I may as well be superman with my undies on the outside - just doesn't work!!

Im thinking I should have gone for the one 1st pictured which is designed to have the waist harness worn over it - or is it??

Maybe the NPX one is only any good for a seat harness - Im stumped!! - Its like new only worm once and up for sale!!

If you want good side protection check out the Jet Pilot wakeboard range

Vests and Harnesses - can't buy online - gotta go try them on and buy from your local shop. No other way to do it.

I wear a vest, when I was learning to jump many years ago I sent kite from way down low, going fast, did a really fast low pendulum swing about a metre off the water. Smacked a wave face and broke a rib. Since then it's just been routine for me, feels like part of the harness. Only makes it more comfy so I can't see any downsides.

Yeh but toned as