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HELITE FAQ

Can I bring my HELITE product on the plane?

Yes legally, you can take your airbag with CO2 cartridge on a plane in a checked bag. The CO2 cartridge is considered non-flammable dangerous goods. Airlines can confiscate your cartridge for no reason. To increase the chances that your cartridges arrive safely we advise you to download and print the form for traveling with dangerous goods and leave them near the cartridges and the airbag.

We also advise you to leave the cartridge screwed into the airbag and keep additional cartridges close to the vest to help the authorities to understand what they will be used for.  

DOWNLOAD AND PRINT THE TSA CO2 PAGE BEFORE YOUR FLIGHT HERE

 

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Can I move and stand-up easily when the moto airbag is inflated?

Yes, you can move and stand up, you still have full movement of your arms and legs. Additionally, we specifically leave space in the front of your upper chest for you to bring the chin down, to summersault, which is usually the best thing to do when you are ejected from the front.

If I fall on the CO2 canister is it going to hurt?

No, the airbag inflates between the body and the canister. Moreover a foam rubber pad and an ABS pad keep the bottle even
further from your body. The gas contained in the cartridge is only CO2 gas, known for extinguishing fires, it is totally harmless.

Can you breathe when the Helite airbag is inflated?

The airbag doesn’t keep you from breathing. Our airbag version inflates very quickly and tight on the upper-body so you will get a nice bear-hug and this tightness will significantly minimize over-extension and bending of the upper-body. The adrenaline due to the crash will naturally make you hold your breath, but it doesn't have anything to do with the airbag itself. 

How do I check my airbag on an annual basis?

To guarantee the good functioning of your rider air vest, make an annual check: 

1. Unscrew the cartridge and weigh it on a scale to make sure the CO2 gas hasn’t escaped.
2. Open the trigger system (using the Allen-key) wipe dust off the components and check for rust or corrosion. Please contact us if any component needs replacement.  
 

What is the lifespan of the CO2-gas cartridge?

The gas-cartridge is of single use. Once the airbag has inflated the cartridge must be replaced with a new cartridge of the same capacity. The warranty on an unused CO2 cartridge is 10 years. Please unscrew your cartridge annually and check the weight. Replace the cartridge if the weight has fallen significantly or there is rust or other deterioration. The cartridge should be stored in temperatures below 45°C. Do not leave full cartridges in the car in high temperatures for example.

How long will it take for my airbag to inflate and deflate?

The Helite Airbag system will inflate in less than a tenth of a second (at 250 mbar of pressure) and will stay inflated to support and protect the rider for 15 - 20 seconds. It will take 5-7 minutes for the Airbag to deflate completely, unscrewing and removing the canister will speed this up significantly. You can unclip and remove the airbag immediately after the fall.

Why is it better to choose the GP AIR instead of the Turtle Vest?

The GP AIR has been specially developed for the race track. The airbag vest is made of resistant materials against abrasion. We focused on aerodynamics with a perfect fit (stretchy fabric) and a space for the suit’s hump. Also, we integrated a very good protection with the double TURTLE effect.

What kind of protection do you use for the GP AIR ?

For more protection, we decided to integrate a body armour at the front and at the back for a double TURTLE effect ! The Turtle Technology is a very big protection improvement, the results of absorption and distribution of shocks are considerably higher. After a lot of tests on race track, we chose body armour because it has really good results of absorption (no risk of hyperflexion), it is flexible and comfortable for the pilot.

Can the mechanical trigger bother me when I ride ?

No front zipper or buckle on the chest to ease side slide on the tank. The cartridge is integrated in the foam, so you don’t feel it.

What is the red velcro on the GP AIR Vest for ?

We use a red velcro to show the limit to close the GP AIR airbag. If you still see the red velcro then the vest isn’t closed enough.

Can I wear the GP AIR on the road ?

Your can wear this airbag vest on the road. You have two possibilities:
- If you wear a jacket with a hump, it is perfect you have an optimal protection.
- If you wear a normal motorcycle jacket please keep /add a body protection at the back.

How long will it take for my airbag to deflate?

Your airbag must stay inflated to support and protect the rider long enough. It will take 5-7 minutes for the airbag to deflate completely. If you unscrew and remove the canister, the airbag will deflate quickly. You can unclip and remove the airbag immediately after the fall if you are in a safe area.

Can I wash the Turtle 2 ?

Our Turtle 2 in Hi-Vis must not be washed in a washing machine or put in dryer. The airbag vest can be washed by hand without drowning the mechanical part of the system. We recommend that you energetically scrub with a brush in warm soapy water (no detergent, products may alter the fabric). Baby wipes are very effective. Do not rub hard on the retroreflective gray parts.

Can I wash the Vented Free-Air Jacket?

You cannot machine wash the Vented or immerse it in water. We recommend to clean your jacket by rubbing with a soft cloth and soapy water (no detergent products that may alter the fabric). Never put your airbag in a dryer, on a radiator or near an intense heat source. Once clean, store it in a dry place away from humidity.

Can I wear a backpack over a Helite airbag system?

Yes, while keeping in mind that the more resistance there is, the slower the airbag will deploy properly. We recommend to adjust your backpack straps fairly wide.

Can I wear the Vented Free-Air Jacket when it is raining?

The Vented Airbag jacket comes with a removable waterproof liner which you can easily add or remove concerning the weather conditions. However, it is our high temperature model. The whole point of designing this jacket was to let as much air through as possible and still protect very efficiently. If you ride in a torrential rain we do not guarantee that you will stay dry.

Is the airbag reusable?

Yes, as long as the airbag is in good condition (no holes, tears) you can reuse it. Easy to do, you can reset the system yourself in 2 minutes, without sending your vest back to Helite. It is only necessary to replace the CO2 cartridge with a new one, available at all Helite dealers worldwide. Please, check the size of the airbag when replacing cartridges. Please make sure to choose the right cartridge size that corresponds to the size of your airbag.

Is the Turtle 2 water resistant?

As long as the vest is not submerged in water, it is water resistant. It was designed for outdoor use. So you can also wear it when it is raining.

Can the airbag activate itself automatically? What if I forget to detach myself?

Helite airbags are mechanical to avoid unexpected airbag activation. Accidental deployments are extremely rare. The tractive force required to activate the airbag is between 20 and 30 kg depending on the size. If a rider forgets to detach from his bike, he will feel a strong tension on his vest or jacket before the airbag is triggered. As the car belt, clip and unclip the motorcycle strap will quickly become a habit.

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