Impact absorbing cushions ?

[C-NUMB]

So far my old spine has not been complaining too much about sudden hits but guess its only a matter of time, sometimes the G forces must be tremendous....

How about this material :

https://bgashop.co.uk/cart/index.php...product_id=148

Used by gliders to protect for hard landings, would that help in a rib?

[SurfnRide]

https://impactgel.com/collections/motorcycle

[SurfnRide]

I have these in my baja race truck and they help a ton with the fatigue of getting smashed around inside for hours on end.

https://www.amazon.com/Coccyx-Orthop.../dp/B01KP4L2IE

This is coming from a 44 year old guy with 6 bulging discs and 2 mild herniations in my lower back and neck from my dirt bike racing days. I guess being a human lawn dart isn't healthy for you

[GuyC]

Anything that increases the time / distance over which the shock is distributed will be of benefit so yes it would work. Obviously it won't give the same level of mitigation as a suspension seat but it will help.

The RNLI are using inflatable cushions which you can pump up to suit your weight.

There are a few posts on here about seat foams.

[enzo200500]

I’ve been looking at some options for myself.

Not sure if anyone on here has this Omega system fitted?

https://www.shock-wbv.com/omega-series-5-c.asp

[SurfnRide]

Also padded impact shorts might be of assistance.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F18 3173441591

[PaulShark]

There have been some serious efforts by experts (mostly connected with Navies) to scientifically measure the performance of cushions and also suspension seats. Those independent studies support the use of suspensions (provided they do not bottom out) but not one independent study has yet shown any measureable benefit from cushions.

[Maximus]

SR's were pretty well designed (especially so when they were current compared to lots of the other Crap they competed with) they though didn't get everything right...the Consuls and seating have always been on the very low side for me at 6' and at speed in the rougher stuff ...while the Hull performed well it was always a struggle just to hang on!
If you do find "inflatable seats" that actually WORK (which I must say doubt) I'm sure plenty on here would like to see them..
In the interim..my advice is the simple tried and tested method used by all... Just use you're knees to grip/flex and mitigate impacts!
If this doesn't help in rougher conditions you have two further choices...
Either ....Slow down...(and remember it's always worse for passengers!)
Or..Buy a Bigger/better equipped RIB

[GuyC]

I don't know what cushions the RNLI actually use but they look similar to this.

https://www.sportseats4u.co.uk/shop/...-seat-cushion/

You could ask the supplier if they had any evidence that they work. There are a few different cushions around so I guess there is some scientific evidence somewhere. Obviously if you sell suspension seats, you would much prefer them the customer to buy those and I would agree that they will be better at absorbing shock than a relatively thin cushion - so long as they are set up properly for your weight.

Console ergonomics is an area that is still evolving and even when a boat is fitted or possibly retrofitted with suspension seats, you will still see the helm stood up to either get a better view or to position themselves more comfortably relative to the wheel / throttle. It's a difficult one to solve.

If you read some of the stuff by Dag Pike and others, he will match his speed / course to the wave conditions and you can make some pretty rapid progress. I don't have the balls to try this yet and resort to displacement speeds when I run out of talent.