• The Jumping Pillow is a brand new product to the USA. This patented product has over 9000 installations throughout Europe and approximately 70 installations throughout Australia and New Zealand. The first USA installation took place at the Charlotte KOA Campground in April of 2005.
• RV Management (a USA company) has secured the sole rights to the product in the USA and Canada therefore consistency in insuring that high levels of safety are maintained with every installation is assured.
• The Australian manufacturers and suppliers visited the USA in April to train the RV Management crew in the installation procedures. Installing each Jumping Pillow to established safety standards so that each installation provides our clients with longevity and trouble-free operation, is established company policy.

• The Jumping Pillow is low-level
• There are no hard surfaces to land on
• A 3'-6' roll-off area of soft sand is maintained around the entire periphery of the pillow
• A 1" thick soft rubber cushion is installed underneath the Jumping Pillow at the point where the pillow meets ground level and this area is also covered with 5" of sand.
• The unique design of the Jumping Pillow is such that the jumping of one person has minimal effect on the bounce of another
• Timers turn the Jumping Pillow off at dusk - when the Jumping Pillow is off it deflates to ground level and cannot be used
• Clients are instructed to turn the Jumping Pillow off during rain
• Download a complete list of Recommendations HERE

Is the Jumping Pillow a 'Certified Safe product'?

No! but let me explain. In the USA and Canada the most desired and recognized form of 'Playground Equipment Certification' is that of IPEMA (Int'l Playground Equipment Manufacturers Association) who use the testing standards of ASTM to verify conformity before issuing certification. Upon contacting ASTM it was learned that they have no standards upon which to test the Jumping Pillow. Existing test standards which relate to 'Inflatables, trampolines etc. cannot and do not apply to the Jumping Pillow, you see; there is really nothing to test as the Jumping Pillow only has one exposed item which is the Canvas itself, everything else is underground. You can't pressure test the Jumping Pillow as you would an Inflatable because the pillow has no bladder it is not an inflatable as such, its constant air source provides the pillow effect. There is also no screws, springs, steel or construction material to test as you would any other piece of playground equipment. Our 'soft landing area is sand, a universally accepted playground component - so nothing to test there either!

The 'Good News' is that ASTM have formed a special committee that will formulate and draft design standards for 'Constant Air Flow' inflatables, the committee meets in May of 2007 so in due course IPEMA will have a basis upon which to certify the Jumping Pillow. The owner of Jumping Pillows USA Mr. Gary Wakerley will be on the ASTM committee.

In an effort to provide maxium protection to our clients (especially against those persons who indulge in frivolous law suits) all Jumping Pillows are now manufactured with a warning which is screen printed onto the Jumping Pillow surface and appears on all four sides, it reads:
"WARNING
Injuries can occur on and in the vicinity of the Jumping Pillow. The management takes no responsibility for your actions or the actions of any other persons on the Jumping Pillow. Participants must maintain proper distance to avoid physical contact with other participants. All participants must be in good physical condition. Those persons susceptible to jumping or landing injury should not participate. ALL PERSONS USING THIS EQUIPMENT DO SO ENTIRELY AT THEIR OWN RISK."

In placing this warning onto our pillows we are being pro-active not re-active.

So, who will insure the Jumping Pillow?

To date we have had no problem with Insurers both local and National. Speciality national insurers such as Leavitt Recreation, HUB International, Evergreen Insurance Farm Family Insurance and Gillingham & Associates Inc. now are very aware of the Jumping Pillow and have non-inhibitive and specific policy regarding insuring the Jumping Pillow. There is no problem with insuring the Jumping Pillow.

If your insurance company is unsure of our product, please have them make contact with us!

I have had long and fruitful discussions with the Insurers that specialize in Hospitality Industry and they have explained their position on the matter relating to 'new' products.

1. No one wants to inhibit the successful launch and proliferation of the Jumping Pillow however it is the product that has to establish a track record in order for it to be accurately assessed. The Insurance companies are 'Reactive' and not 'Proactive' in these matters (this is understandable).

2. The Insurance companies have been helpful in their advice on certain measures which we can take to reduce the likelihood of claims. RV Management has adopted these suggestions and incorporated them into our Supplier agreement and the provision of signage etc. These are in addition to the already stringent safety policies, which we have adopted from the Australian model that has enjoyed a perfect track record in relationship to claims.

3. Importantly, when you install a Jumping Pillow you should be automatically covered under your existing policy usually without any additional premium charge, however you must advise your Insurance Company of the installation. Talk to your Insurance company.

4. The Insurance Company reserves the right to determine future premiums, or exemption policy after your Jumping Pillow establishes a track record. Of course any resulting future additional premium will be the result of injury claims against the product, this is the case with any playground product. It is therefore vital to RV Management and to you that safety guidelines incorporated into the installation and subsequent management of the product are followed.

5. RV Management is working, and will continue to work with the Insurance Companies in a 'Spirit of Co-operation'

6. Safety recommendations by the Playground Equipment Manufacturers Association for approval of materials, suggest that existing installation and safety procedures adopted by RV Management already exceed requirements.

If in doubt as to the accuracy of these statements you should consult your Insurance Company prior to signing your purchasing agreement. If you have an Insurance company that wishes to impose a penalty or additional charge for the installation of your Jumping Pillow, then please contact RV Management for the names of specialty hospitality insurers who don't.

Gary Wakerley
RV Management

Leavitt Group	Toll-Free: (800) 525-2060
HUB - BHJ Insurance, Inc. Ask for Aaron Linden	Toll Free: (800) 300-4370 307-672-5833