How much of my chest should it cover and how far down should it be?

 

A good portion, u dun wanna brake yur ribs thats for sure....[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img]

 

A good chest protector will cover the entire chest and stomach. It all depends on how comfortable you will be. There are many styles out there, find one that fits your body and something you can ride with. Most important, and even more than the front is the back. I recommend getting one that covers your entire spine. What is a couple of broken ribs compaired to a broken back. Get one that covers the entire spine all the way past your tail bone.
Other than the obvious blocking of rocks etc, a chest protector should allow the blunt force of a fall or crash to be spread across the entire surface of the chest protector. That way it dissapates the force over a larger area and it hurts less. In this case, bigger IS better. SIZE MATTERS

 

It should cover your chest and most of your stomach. They aren't good for much, they could save something being shoved through some areas but mainly are only good for roost.

 

Sorry head027, but I disagree with that statement... I am living proof that they do reduce injury a great deal, for reasons I already explained.

If you fall or hit an imovable object like a tree, the plastic allows that force to be dissapated accross the whole surface.. thus reducing the effect it has on internals... Had I not been wearing mine when I was fooling around and crashed HARD and having the quad pound my butt into the sand, I would have been paralyzed at least, and maybe even killed.

As it was I was paralyzed for about 30 minutes, and I did break the leg right above the lip of my MX boot, but it could have been so much worse. I went over backwards and believe it or not, I was upside down on the pegs prior to the big hit.

I was lucky, as the machine really landed on top of me and beat me up pretty bad. You hear about people seeing stars, well mine was a white light... and a lot of fog for a few minutes. MY kid who was there when I crashed says I was out of it for a few minutes. If I had not been wearing a plastic chest protector that covered my whole chest and spine, somebody would probably be finding my bones months later.

For about $50, why take the chance? It is cheaper than a hospital visit, and it might save you a lot of pain and suffering in the long run...

Oh yeah, also, I remember a day when a chest protector was nothing more than a piece of leather you strapped on.... they were only good for rocks and roost... today's protectors offer increased protection of the shoulder blades as well. All good things....

You won't see me on mine without it on... and with a helmet too... I just don't get it when people spend thousands of dollars for an ATV, then they refuse to spend $20 for a good pair of gloves, or buy the cheapest boots or cheapest helmet they can find.. if they get one at all, and don't even get me started on eye protection... Sun glasses don't get the job done folks...

 

While a chest protector can help, it won't always save your life and you should never think it will.
My friend Cocky Krickbaum was killed at the Adelanto Grand Prix wearing a chest protector. When he went over the bars, the motorcycle slammed him in the chest and crushed his rib cage and stopped his heart.
So, if you're wearing one and think you're invinceable, stop thinking that right away.

 

I don't think anyone is suggesting they are the answer to all injuries or deaths. However I do think they add to your safety margin.... at least when compared to nothing at all.

Your friend's death was a tragedy, but I don't believe the outcome would have been any different had he not been wearing one. He certainly felt it helped give him every chance of survival, otherwise he would not have worn it.

You are correct to say that even when a person takes all the precautions they can possibly take, things happen that exceed even the best designed equipment and people die. This is not a very forgiving sport if trouble comes your way....

 

Dragginbutt,
Exactly.