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Surf within your limits. Build your experience over time and invest in your training, breath-holding skills, mental strength, and ocean knowledge. Gradually grow yourself into bigger waves. Don't go out if you aren't confident that you can rescue yourself if things go wrong. Read the full safety disclaimer below.

Industry-standard features

The First Responder | Upvest boosts all the crucial elements you'll find in every professionally inflatable vest for big wave surfers, such as the Billabong vests, Patagonia's PSI (Personal Surf Inflation), Jeff Clarks' surf vest by Quatic, and Quicksilver's Highline Pro Airlift Jacket. Most of those inflation vest's are build with the same key features, namely:

1. Inflators to instantly inflate the vest. (To be charged with 2 or 4 Co2 cartridges)

2. A pull cord to quickly deflate the vest, dump the air and swim under the wave.

3. An inflation tube so you can inflate your vest with your mouth to manage buoyancy. (saves Co2 Cartridges.)

4. Safety clips to keep the vest from being ripped off.

New Features

Although The First Responder UP vest is rigged with all the essential functionalities that you'll find on the other professional inflation vests, it is distinctly different because of these five exclusive features:

Personal Emergency information

The First responder is the only inflatable vest for big wave surfers that displays your name, your blood type, and two emergency phone numbers on your arm. Anyone helping you in an emergency can quickly glance at your right upper arm to read the critical information about you. Within a few seconds, they have essential information that can help the rescue effort because now they can:

1. Address you by your name as they talk to you.

2. Start making calls to your loved ones so help, so they know where you are and what is happening.

3. Communicate with emergency services about your blood type or other medical details listed on the patch.

It’s not neoprene.

Unlike all the other vests, the UpVest is not made from neoprene: it's lighter, more comfortable, and much stronger. The garment is made from a specialized 4-way stretch material, often used in sports uniforms for rough contact sports such as Rugby and American Football.

This is why the UP Vest is so incredibly light, ultra-strong, and feels comfortably like a high-quality ports Jersey.

Float like no other

Fully inflated, it holds 100 newtons of buoyancy safely, creating maximum lift to the surface.

Choose your inflator

Choose if you want an inflator with a 1/2" thread (Europe) or 3/8" thread (USA) so that you can use the co2 cartridges that are most easily accessible in your area.

Locally built.

This vest is built in Great Britain. Locally made means less emission because of shorter production lines. 

Tested at Nazaré

The Upvest by Blue Soup is a relatively new inflation vest. The Upvest follow in the footsteps of Quicksilvers' Highline Pro Airlift Vest, Jeff Clark's inflatable surf vest, Patagonia's Personal Surf Inflation, and of course, none of these inflation vests would have existed without Shane Dorian's work with Billabong to create the first-ever inflation for big wave surfers: the V1 wetsuit by Billabong.

The UpVest is developed and tested with input from some of the best big wave surfers in the world, surfers like Garreth MacNamarra, Andrew Cotton, and many of the other big wave chargers who tested the UpVest in many monster wave sessions at Nazaré.

High-Quality Lungs

The most essential element of the vest is the inflation bladder. If you look under the hood of the UP vest, you'll find that the inflation bladder is built by a company called Sea Safe Systems. First established in 1966, Sea Safe Systems is a British company specializing in marine safety clothing and products. They have been building life vests, and inflation bladders for over 50 years, so they've been around the block a few times.

The lung design has been thoroughly tested and can withstand pressures over and above the industry standard (20-22 psi). During stress tests, these lungs have exceeded the industry standard by 6 psi!

Fame

The UpVest isn't widely known in the surfing world, and this is why: The Upvest is the only inflatable vest for big wave surfers that you can design yourself.  The Blue Soup company that produces the UpVest offers a custom version: you can print anything you want on the vest. As a result, all kinds of events, rescue teams, and athletes print their own vest, with their personal branding. For example, RedBull offered inflation vest to all their big wave athletes, such as Kai Lenny or Lucas Chumbo. Both Garrett McNamara and Grant “Twiggy” Baker ordered Upvest completely styled with their logo and branding.

That's why the Upvest is not as widely known as the Quicksilver Highline Pro Airlift Jacket, but it is commonly used in the same big wave line-ups worldwide.

Technical specs:

The First Responder | UP Vest | 4 X Pull has the following technical specifications:

- 4 Co2 inflators for either 25 mg or 38 mg co2 cartridges.

- Fully inflated, the vest provides 100 Newton of buoyancy.

- Withstand pressures over and above the industry standard (20-22 psi).

- 1 Inflater tube to inflate by mouth.

- 1 Deflater cord to quickly dump air (on the right hip).

- 2 safety buckles at both sides of the waist.

- Zipper for easy access to the 4 Co2 cartridges.

- Lightweight, strong yet flexible 4-way stretch material.

- Available sizes: S/M, M/L, L/XL, XL/2XL

- Available colors: Orange. (Other colors upon request)

- Dimensions shipping box: 50 cm x 40 cm x10 cm.

What's in the box?

 This is what you'll find when you receive your First Responder Upvest:

 Inside the shipping box, you'll find a white, sealed box from Blue Soup Upvest that contains the following:

- Your First Responder Upvest in bubble wrap

- Instruction Manual

- Return slip

- A whole lot of stoke;)

Are Co2 cartridges included?

No. The First Responder Upvest doesn't ship with Co2 cartridges due to shipping restrictions in some countries. Shipping without Co2 Cartridges also helps us to send the vest to you faster.

You can purchase your Co2 cartridge in a bike shop or hardcore maritime/dive stores, or online. We suggest buying your Co2 Cartridges from a reputable reseller to ensure you have the highest quality Co2 canisters.

Please make sure that you get the right thread size that's on your inflator: either 1/2" or 3/8 inch, whichever you selected in your order.

Sizing Guide

Fit is a personal preference, and as the UP Vest can be worn on its own or over a wetsuit or impact vest, we recommend that you refer to the sizing chart and take the following guidelines into account. 

If you intend wearing the UP Vest over a wetsuit or impact vest, you may want to go up a size, but depending on the environment and the size and power of the surf, you may wish the UP Vest to be super tight; this is a personal preference.  

If on receiving your UP Vest it really doesn't fit, we can exchange the outer vest only if you send it back to us. (Please note - we will supply the exchange vest for free, but you will be responsible for paying any charge for postage and packing from your destination back to us).  

 Chest Measurement  (in inches)

Size Chest Measurement (in inches)

S/M_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 38" to 40"

M/L _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 40" to 42"

L/XL _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _42" to 44" 

XL/2XL _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 44" to 46"

Order process

Step 1) Check the sizing guide to find the right size for you. If you are not sure, email us for help: surfers@bigwavesurfing.com

Step 2) Select your size & color. 

Step 3) Choose the thread size on the inflator; it's either 1/2" (more commonly found in Europe) or 3/8" (usually found in the USA)

Step 4) Enter your shipping & billing information.

Step 5) After you've completed your purchase, check your inbox for the purchase confirmation email.

Step 6) once the vest is ready for shipping, you'll receive another email with the tracking code so you can see the delivery process.

If you have any questions, just ask: surfers@bigwavesurfing.com

When will my vest be ready?

Your First Responder | UpVest is made to order, so it can take up to 6 weeks to produce. Blue Soup always tries to beat that timescale and will keep you updated on the tracking orders.

Safety Disclaimer

Inflation vests are NOT shortcuts into bigger waves. It is just an additional safety tool. Invest in your fitness, breath-holding skills, mental capacity, and ocean knowledge first. Be patient, build your experience over time, gradually work your way up, growing step by step into bigger waves. The ocean can and will destroy all products, so don't solely rely on your equipment to save your ass when things go wrong. Make sure you surf within your limits and that you are capable and willing to rescue yourself if your equipment fails.

Inside The First Responder | UP Vest | 4 X Pull, you'll find the following disclaimer:

"The Blue Soup UpVest is worn entirely at the user's own risk, and it remains the sole responsibility of the user to ensure that the UpVest is in full working order prior to use. In the event of any faults or concerns, the UpVest should be returned to the Blue Soup Equipment Company Limited for repair, service, or replacement.

It is the wearer's sole responsibility to ensure that he or she is familiar with the use of the UpVest and that the UpVest is correctly maintained and securely fitted prior to use. On wearing the UpVest, the user excepts that the Blue Soup Equipment Company Limited is not responsible for any injury or fatality that may occur while the UpVest is worn. At no time is it claimed by the Blue Soup Equipment Company that the UpVest will guarantee the wearers' safety.

The Blue Soup UpVest is not intended to be used as a replacement for a life jacket or personal floatation device. It has not been approved by SOLAS, sanctioned by the US Coastguard or any other regulatory body or agency operate as a life preserver."

Shipping

Your UP Vest will be shipped via courier to your chosen location. Please make sure you fill in the delivery address correctly in the payment section and choose your location when ordering, and this will provide the shipping costs. (*Please note that each UP Vest is made to order, so please allow up to 6 weeks from ordering for your vest to be ready for dispatch, so make sure you put the address you will be in at that time*) Orders placed outside the UK and EU may be subject to an import tax that the customer is responsible for paying on delivery. 

Please also note that your UP Vest is not delivered with Co2 cylinders due to restrictions in some countries with shipping. We recommend you purchase your cylinders from a reputable supplier in your area.

Return Policy

Your UP Vest is covered by one year warranty, so if you email us and tell us about your problem, one of our team can then assist you, and if we can't, you can send us your UP Vest, or we can arrange for a replacement UP Vest to be shipped.

Refund Policy

If you have bought your UP Vest from Blue Soup directly (via this website) and you have changed your mind and wish to return your UP Vest you can return it within 14 days after the original invoice date. Blue Soup will refund the selling price of the item on condition that the item is returned to us as originally packed, unused and undamaged in accordance with our return of goods conditions in paragraphs below. The customer will bear the courier costs of the return of articles. Any items that you feel have been sent by us in error must be notified to us in writing within 14 days of receipt; these must be returned to us within 14 days after the original invoice date, and we will refund the selling price of the item on condition that the item is returned to us as originally packed. It is your responsibility to ensure that all returns reach us securely and undamaged in accordance with our return of goods policy. Goods must be returned within 14 days of receipt. Returned goods must be unused, in a saleable condition, and in their original packaging with all labels still attached. Goods must not be fitted, used, or soiled in any way. All Goods must be accompanied with a returned goods form.

Should the item show possible defects in materials or production processes, we ask you to notify us about this via email immediately, whereas probable transport damages should be notified immediately to the driver. Please return these faulty goods back to us including a brief note describing the problem for us. Please email before returning bulky articles in order to find the most favorable way of sending it back. The customer will bear the freight costs of the return of articles. Please understand we will not accept the receipt of goods that are not prepaid carriage.

Warranty

Your Blue Soup Up Vest is supported with a warranty on both manufacture and materials for one year from the date of purchase. Blue Soup will choose to replace or repair any defects that occur within normal wear and tear circumstances. This covers the failure of any elements of the inflation system and the outer vest seams or fabrics. Blue Soup retains the right to define normal wear and tear circumstances, but as a guideline, this requires the customer to follow the UP Vest care instructions, which can be found in your instruction manual, and that you take all reasonable precautions to maintain the garment. Exposure to elements such as extreme heat and direct sunshine, prolonged bacteria and chlorine, and other harsh or abrasive substances can accelerate product degradation and void warranty.

Materials such as fingernails and other sharp objects may tear and rip the outer UP Vest material; Blue Soup will not repair or replace items that have clear physical stress such as rips and split seams, or where there is clear evidence of inadequate care or treatment.

A product that is covered by repair or warranty may be exchanged at either the retail place of purchase or if you purchased your UP Vest via this website see Blue Soup Terms and Conditions for return address and don't forget to email us in the first instance before you send anything back. Please Note that Blue Soup will return any warranty repair or replacement by the same speed of delivery.

Servicing

If you have a problem with your UP Vest, please email us. The UP Vest should be returned to us at least every 12 months for a service and functionality check (£79.00 plus shipping costs).

Blue Soup thoroughly checks the components of the inflation system and lung, as well as carrying out a full internal and external clean. Please remember - If you need to return your vest for repair or servicing first, make sure you have thoroughly rinsed and dried your UP Vest inside and out before you send it.

For the latest up to date information on shipping, return policy, refund policy, warranty and servicing please check the manufacturers website. The information above might have changed. The information on the manufacturers website overrules the information on this page if it happens to be different.