Wanted to get ideas from the multitudes on safety equipment in boats. Good enough as is, should be more, butt naked classes...(maybe not)
I've been thinking of capsules and there are two types,  used in drags, which are steel driver cages with a fiberglass and plexiglass skin that depart from a disintegrating hull, and the kind found in APBA class circle boat hydros , f-1, and offshore that provide a containment area for drivers. these cockpits generally stay with the boat and provide top and bottom hatches.  Both provide five point harnesses and air bottles.

I'm also wondering what everyone thinks of Hans Type devices for the helmets?

Comments welcome

I can tell you that safety is something that is more often than not overlooked until something really bad happens (I will use Dale Earnhardt as an example) the problem is its always something that could always have happened, but rarely does. I think NASCAR has answered this question to the absolute and with numerous other consequences, but anybody that has seen the Micheal McDowell crash last month cannot deny that what NASCAR has done is to build a safer car (COT).

The problem with being locked into the boat in any form I believe will introduce a whole new set of dangers, mainly because it is hard to make the determination on when you don't want to get thrown from the boat, sometimes that is what saves major injuries, and sometimes causes them. Someone would really have to look at all of the serious crashes and first look at what would have to be done to prevent them (possibly limit HP thus limiting speed) I don't know.

The Whitewater Jetboat Assoc. has done an exellent job in rule changes in regards to safety, but there is always room for improvement. An example would be that these guys are literally buckled in a 120+MPH jet boat with a rollbar that runs for several miles and there are only a dozen or so chase boats, think about it what if you flip somewhere they don't expect you to? If you're knocked out, you're done for.....

I am a firm believer in safety, but sometimes its a be careful what you wish for scenario.

The enclosed capsule is probably F1 and boat drag racings greatest safety "shining moment" but IMO more needs to be done in other areas of boat racing, I just don't know what......

I came out of a river boat at over 80MPH in about two feet of water (spun out) and can tell you being buckled in with a roll bar would have been the ticket. (happened before the roll bar rule).

IMO there is no way possible to prepare for every scenario, that's why we call them accidents....


BTW ever wear a Haans?, you can't move your head to see, that IMO  would cause more crashes than it would protect against (with the exeption of stright line stuff). The best safety equipment is sitting on top of our necks...

Continuing on the Haans discussion.  First off I've never tried one and they do sound like they are restrictive. But... Since NASCAR has the same vision issues circle boats have and If we were to go to capsules with equally restrictive vision issues. Wouldn't it be more safe to protect your neck and spine with a Haans type device and maybe add mirrors and have a spotter on a radio? also how do any of you feel about break off and retrieve (drag boat type) capsules vs. protect driver keep the boat intact/afloat (outboard and U-hydro circle boat) capsules.  I now understand that Seabold includes airbags in their capsule boats I think to maintain buoyancy in a crash.

The biggest problem with trying to use a head and neck restraint system is that all of them are designed to be used in conjunction with the seat belt.  The HANS device requires the belts to overlap the piece at the shoulders.  The Hutchens device adds another fastener at the seat belt clasp (uses straps up the back to keep head from extending forward). 

Without securing the driver to the boat these items are useless.

In my opinion the N/J and C/J classes don't need to go to a capsule, but I do think a spine/neck restraint needs to be developed.  We need to look at the turtle back leathers that motorcycle racers are using, and come up with something to help keep the driver from being damaged when entering the water.

Anything will be a big help and you have to start somewhere.

I agree, the boat speeds are limited right? What about being buckled into a break away seat? Just throwing it out there I don't know because I haven't been around this "type" of racing much. An analisys of crashes would be good info., not for me, but someone who knows what to do with the info..

I have seen some brutal whitewater crash video and these guys walk away from in most cases. But we're talking roll bars, high back seats, five points, high performance flotation, neck rings, and firesuits. You cannot plan for every scenario.