different kind of rib vest

John Bosanek · Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2001 3:50 pm Post subject: different kind of rib vest

I went down to Willow Springs today (to spectate) and saw a nasty flip

(BTW I hope you're OK). I heard this kid may have broken his collar bone. I've seen another guy flip and break his collar bone in the past. On the drive home I got to thinking, is there a ribvest that protects this area as well? I've heard of the Bonesavers vest but can't find a picture of it. Any others?

Darren Swisher · Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2001 3:58 pm Post subject: different kind of rib vest

John, A high quality neck collar is what would prevent most injuries like this. The collar bone is usually broken by the bottom of the helmet impacting clavical (collarbone).

The foam used in the collar is the important, it must be very dense or hard, similar to that of a tennis ball when pressed. It must give on impact but very slowly and not all the way through.

You see alot of collars that use soft foams, these will never do the job.

To add, a 360 degree collar is best for full coverage.

This is an important safety item, do not scrimp on it.

Darren

John Bosanek · Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2001 4:17 pm Post subject: different kind of rib vest

I use a Rector, how do you feel about that brand of collar? Also, when I first bought the collar is was pushing my helmet off my head. There are three foam pieces that make up a Rector collar, so I simply removed the top one and now it fits snug, but doesn't push the helmet up. Do others of you out there cut down a collar to fit?

Darren Swisher · Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2001 4:35 pm Post subject: different kind of rib vest

John, I have not touched or examined that particular collar, I have heard it is good, but the people I have talked to were really talking about the shape and design more than the quality of its components. So I will reserve judgement till I have examined it.

Really what you want to look at in a collar is this.

1. Shape of collar, does the shape of the top of the collar match the shape of the bottom of your helmet. These to must meet perfectly in a crash.

2. Coverage of the collar, is it covering the entire bottom of the helmet? 360 degree coverage is best.

3. Foam Density, as I previously mentioned density is important.

I have seen people cut down collars at the ends to better fit around the neck. But I do no recommend cutting and off the top or bottom.

Darren

Marshall Martin · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2001 2:41 am Post subject: different kind of rib vest

John,

I have been using a BoneSaver Rib Protector for 4 years. It has saved my ribs a couple of times. I have seen a business card for them in the back of a NKN issue. I also believe Target Distributing handles them.

Jeff Welch · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2001 7:34 am Post subject: different kind of rib vest

John,

I have used the Bonesavers, and it is a good vest. I now use a Phoenix, sold through Hurricane Racing. Both offer much more protection in the chest and shoulder areas than most other vests I've seen. The only thing I didn't like about the Bonesavers is that it has a plastic fastener clip on each side of the vest that I found uncomfortable in high-g corners. I use a Rector neck collor, and it seems like a good one to me.

Jeff Welch
Weltek Racing Online

Gary Kozuma1 · Joined: 26 Jul 2001 Posts: 386

Here's a vote for the Sparco Anatomic. It has a great support at the rear to prevent whiplashes. It's very well made and I would highly recommend it.

Also, I've noticed that many helmet/collar/people may need some tweaks. In my case I did have to remove some material in the front so I would be looking up as I drove.

Gary K.

Darren Swisher · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2001 3:15 pm Post subject: different kind of rib vest

Gary, I would check with the manufacturer on taking foam from the collar, It may also be the particular helmet you own has an extended chin Bar (Area of helmet that protects the chin).

Just doing my part to inform the racer, take it for what it is worth.

Darren

Matt Kull · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2001 4:40 pm Post subject: different kind of rib vest

The Sparco is the best in my oppinion. There are more pro racers that use that one than anything else. Expensive but worth it.

Darren Swisher · Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2001 9:09 am Post subject: different kind of rib vest

When I talk about altering a piece of safety equipment 2 things come to mind that really scare me.

1. That the specific equipment has been tested at is original specs and when you take away part of a component you are altering the safety characteristics of it.

2. By altering it where does that but the manufacturer in a lawsuit.

Darren

Alex Williamson · Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2001 8:08 am Post subject: different kind of rib vest

The topic started as a question of what can prevent collar bone breakage. There was a reply that a good quality neck collar will prevent the bottom edge of the helmet from snapping the collar bone. That is true for that type of impact. I broke my collar bone many years ago with a hard shot to the back of the shoulder. This was evidenced by the major damage my suite, clothing, skin took in that area. My helmet hardly had a mark on it - and it may have happend from subsequent flopping around instead of the main impact. I've seen others broken in this way also. And, no, I don't know of a way to prevent this type of breakage.

Alex Williamson · Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2001 8:10 am Post subject: different kind of rib vest

Uh, my hotel "suite" was fine, but my racing suit was toast!!!!

Mike Weaver · Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2001 8:45 am Post subject: different kind of rib vest

I use an older Saf-Jac. It's big and bulky and has the plastic plates on the outside that pretty much cover the collar bone. Between that and the neck ring, the collar bone s/b protected.

Good info on the neck rings though. Because of how bulky the Saf-Jac is, I have been using a "squishy" horse-shoe shaped one lately for comfort. I think I will be switching back to a nice hard round one!