Air bags
We are all familiar with air bags in cars and how they inflate on impact. It came as news to me that competitive skiers wear inflatable devices beneath their competitors’ bibs. They are also used by cyclists, equestrians, and motor cyclists. They protect head, spine, chest, and hips.
Bearing in mind that the Six Nations Rugby Union Championship is currently taking place – and happily, considering that Italy is hosting the Winter Olympics, Italy beat a dismal Scotland on Saturday – we fell to wondering how rugby players would fare in a normal rugby match, wearing protection on head, neck, spine, legs, arms. We concluded that by the end of a match, most, if not all of the players would be waddling around like Michelin men.
It is possible for ordinary citizens to buy a ‘Wearable Anti-fall Airbag Vest,’ or a hip guard, or a ‘Fall Protection Airbag Vest,’ (for the autumn of your life?) . . . I was amazed to discover just how many variations there are. The question is, once deployed, does the air bag have to be disposed of and replaced?
I looked it up and the answer is that they are reusable, provided they have not been damaged. The C02 or Argon cartridge is easily replaced and the whole system can be reset in minutes.
How long will it be before ‘seniors’ are urged to equip themselves with ‘personal safety apparel’ to accompany their call alarms, grab bars, ‘walk in baths’ and stair lifts?
