# Where to find wearable airbag for elderly? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 10, 2016, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-find-wearable-airbag-for-elderly/765556 "2016-09-10T20:19:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2016, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-find-wearable-airbag-for-elderly/765556/1 "2016-09-10T20:19:52Z")
My parents are quite elderly and have fallen a number of times. I’ve been looking for some kind of device that could help them if they fall and found various references to wearable airbags. One of them looks like a fat belt. I have not been able to find anywhere to actually purchase such a device. I did find a wearable motorcycle vest that’s an airbag but am not sure if that would work for someone simply falling down in the house. [Here’s the kind of thing I’m talking about.](http://machinedesign.com/medical/wearable-air-bag-protects-against-hip-fractures) This particular device does not seem to be currently for sale. I submitted a query to the vendor referred to above, but while I’m waiting over the weekend I thought I’d ask the Dopers about it… ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2016, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-find-wearable-airbag-for-elderly/765556/2 "2016-09-12T12:04:19Z")
motorcycle airbag jackets/vests seem to be about protecting the spine and neck, not so much the hips. The airbag belt you linked to is a noble cause, but given the expense involved, and the frequency with which deployment might be expected, I’m not optimistic about this being a viable commercial product. If you’re looking to protect your parents from a fall, I think the most productive approach is to minimize the likelihood of a fall in the first place. About a year ago we began installing railings all over my parents’ house; it became rare for them to be somewhere in the house where a handhold wasn’t available. A [walker](https://www.google.com/search?q=motorcycle+airbag+vest&biw=949&bih=772&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiswLrO44nPAhUEJx4KHWe4DCIQ_AUICCgD#tbm=isch&q=walker) (if you can convince your parents to use one) also helps. If getting up after a fall is a problem, have them keep a cell phone in their pocket all the time so the can call for help while they’re lying on the floor. As far as mitigating the medical consequences of a fall, that’s difficult. Unless your parents are willing to wear a helmet and [motorcyclist’s hip armor,](https://www.google.com/search?q=motorcycle+airbag+vest&biw=949&bih=772&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiswLrO44nPAhUEJx4KHWe4DCIQ_AUICCgD#tbm=isch&q=hip+impact+armor) I don’t think there’s a lot you can do. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2016, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-find-wearable-airbag-for-elderly/765556/3 "2016-09-12T13:56:19Z")
Agree with modify the home, not get them something that they will most likely not wear after a initial trial. Soften the floors, padded carpet or thick padding over a floating floor, grab bars, etc. ---
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2016, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-find-wearable-airbag-for-elderly/765556/4 "2016-09-13T11:48:58Z")
I heard back from the company. The airbag is still in development, and when they roll it out, it will first go to nursing homes. Thanks for the other advice!