How old is your container?

[FrancoR 0]

This question just came up on Stammtisch. We are discussing if it makes sense to have a manufacturer limit the lifetime of a container. The german parachute association used to have a limitation of 15 years that is now gone. Now nearly all manufacturers form germany and south africa limit the lifetime of their containers again to 15 years (in germany?). A limitation of lifetime can now be put up by a manufacturer, thats what new law says.

So who actually jumps an old Container?
Is there a limitation to the lifetme of a container other than not passing an inspection anymore?

Same goes for the reserve, but i am not asking that now to keep the poll defnite.

If it does not cost anything you are the product.

[wmw999 2,445]

2 containers. 1 about 4 years old, the other is an antique by your standards. I marked "antique" because I'll admit I'm not really for aging gear out of use by rules rather than wear.

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[Swanee 0]

1 rig is about 3 years old
The other is a 19 year old Racer. I recently had my rigger give the Racer a complete check. It's perfectly airworthy.

[FrogNog 1]

Mine should be born in about 8 more weeks.

-=-=-=-=-
Pull.

[beej 0]

1988 talon

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If the shit fits - wear it (blues brothers)--

[bch7773 0]

I have a 93 javelin.
according to this post it looks like a lot of people here can afford new gear.

MB 3528, RB 1182

[Conquest150 0]

i have a dolphin that 6 yrs old and a vector thats 20 yrs old

[Mad47 0]

If I had to buy a used rig and choose between 1993 Javelin with 50 jumps on it or 2003 Javelin with 1000 jumps, I would choose the first one (assuming that the "older" rig was stored properly).

[Kris 0]

Mirage G3 UNISYN, born in August, 2001.

Sky, Muff Bro, Rodriguez Bro, and
Bastion of Purity and Innocence!™

[Tonto 1]

1. Mirage G4 (Due to be born any day now..)

2. Contour (Chute Shop Vortex 1 prototype) 1000 dives, about 6 years old.

3. Vulcan (Chute Shop) 1500 dives, 11 years old.

t

It's the year of the Pig.

[linestretch 0]

a infinity that's 3 years old, and a racer that's over 8. The racer is still the most comfortable rig I've worn, and it's still in great condition.

my pics & stuff!

[vt1977 0]

My current rig is a 1996 Teardrop which I’ve had from new and is still in pretty good condition. However my beautiful new Javelin Odyssey will be arriving in March/April and I can’t wait!
Vicki

[nicknitro71 0]

2003 Wings

1981 Warp III for CRW and BASE...

Memento Audere Semper

903

[Chapsta 0]

Mirage born in 2002!

Chaps

Carpe diem

[lazyfrog 0]

1993 talon...

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Fumer tue, péter pue
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ourson #10, Mosquito Uno, CBT 579

[FrancoR 0]

Thanks for all the votes and comments. Looks like nobody feels there is a need for a lifetime limitation. Thats also my thought.

If it does not cost anything you are the product.

[riggerrob 643]

1986 Vector I - my back-up rig

1997 Talon 2 - my primary rig

Trying to ground rigs after X number of years is a crude measurement.

Far more important measures are wear and style.

Sometimes telling a customer that you will not repack a rig more than 20 years old is a polite way of telling them to retire their faded, frayed and filthy 20-year-old POS. If you can quote some regulation published by some organization or government body, you remove the "personal" side of the argument.
On a practical note, I recently told my rigger apprentice to draw the line at 20 years. First of all, there is little 20-year-old gear remaining at Pitt Meadows. Secondly, I cannot see the point to devoting the rest of the year to teaching her how to pack rigs that she will only see once or twice for the rest of her rigging career.

As for the question of "style," everyone pick up their 1983 Para-Gear catalog and tell me how much of that gear you are still willing to jump: Sentinel AADs, light-weight round reserves, Swift 5-cell reserves, Dual Hawk containers, giant jump suits, etc?

[lazy 0]

atom 29-6-1992

[jumpy 0]

My rigs almost 18..
It was born 4 months after I was born but hell it still works and its still airworthy!

[VorteX 0]

1996 Javelin

7 years old but looks like new

[Squeak 17]

1993 Javelin J1
People have asked if it new

You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky)
My Life ROCKS!
How's yours doing?

[Luv2Fall 0]

1998 Javelin

[jeremyneas 0]

You know it really depends on the person, and how they take care of the equipment.

I have a '96 Jav J-1, and it's in fantastic condition, and I jump in desert conditions. If it isn't in use it's in a gearbag, almost all my jumps made it indoors for repacking. I keep it out of the sun, and I don't drag the container to the bag when packing.

I've seen people with rigs that are a hair over a year old and need to be put to sleep, because, quite frankly, they don't respect the very equipment they expect to save their lives. Go figure

[dkf1979 0]

i have no container.

[vesatoro 0]

Here in Finland any harness/container or reserve that is 20 years old from manufacture date is written out of service, regardless of it's condition or jump number.

Vesa

"Fear is the path to the Dark side"
(Master Yoda)