Airbag FAQs and Tutorials - MAD EQ - Equestrian Safety Gear

Equestrian Airbag FAQ

At MAD Equestrian, we want to ensure all your questions are answered quickly and easily. Here are some of our most frequently asked questions about equestrian airbag vests. If you have any questions that are not answered here, please email us here.

Our equestrian airbags are very easy to use. Each system comes with a lanyard, a saddle strap, and a CO₂ cartridge. Just attach the strap to your saddle and clip in the lanyard. No tools or special skills needed.

If you fall, the lanyard releases and the airbag inflates in under 100 milliseconds. It absorbs the impact and supports your upper body from head to tailbone. After it inflates, you can reset it in under two minutes by replacing the CO₂ cartridge.

If you fall, our airbags are designed to protect the most important areas of your body, including your spine, kidneys, chest and hips. They gently compress your torso to help prevent overextension and keep your head and neck stable.

They also help support your core to protect internal organs like your lungs, abdomen, stomach, pancreas and liver.

All Helite airbag vests deploy in 98 ms.

Choosing the right size for your airbag system is important for the best protection. Follow the size chart on each product page to find your fit.

Measuring your back is a helpful way to pick the right size.

The minimum user weight is 35 kg. Always wear the airbag over your clothing or any rigid protection, and keep this in mind when measuring.

For the AIRJACKET model, make sure you can fit a fist between the vest and the clothing underneath for proper fit and safety.

Yes, all our airbag systems are delivered ready-to-use. This means that you can use your airbag directly after you have purchased it. The airbag consists of 1 cartridge, 1 lanyard and a saddle strap.

Our goal is for every customer to be totally satisfied with their purchase. If this isn't the case, let us know and we'll do our best to work with you to make it right.

We will work quickly to ship your order as soon as possible. Once your order has shipped, you will receive an email with further information. Delivery times vary depending on your location.

Our products are manufactured both locally and globally. We carefully select our manufacturing partners to ensure our products are high quality and a fair value.

The airbag-compatible apparel and Helite airbags are designed for outdoor use. You can also wear them when it rains. In case of heavy rain, we recommend adding a rain cape.

You can travel with your Helite airbag in the bus, car or train without any restrictions. If you travel by plane, you may encounter some difficulties with the safety services regarding the CO2 cartridges used to inflate the airbag. According to the regulation (Iata regulation), you are allowed to fly with 2 gas cartridges (volume must be less than 200cc), in the cabin or in the hold. Even if the regulation allows it, it is possible that the security service or the airline company will refuse to let you board with it. We strongly recommend that you print out the “Iata Regulations” and show this document to the security service or the airline during the check if they ask for further explanations. In any case, it is the airport security service and the airline that will make the final decision on whether or not to accept the airbag on board.

Lata regulation form