Harness causing bruising from openings.

[Flapjack 0]

I'm just off student status and have had the problem with bruising on shoulders and the inside of arms. I jumped on Saturday and after my second had to call it a day. I haven't ever had a problem bruising easy. I'm not having hard openings. It just seems maybe the harnesses on the student gear doesn't fit quite right so that when I deploy the shoulder straps tend to take alot of the opening force. Anyone else have this problem and any advise on how to alleviate it?

[masterrig 1]

I experienced that also, when I was a student. Student gear is probably the biggest reason to get your own, custom gear!
Good luck to you!

Chuck

[fmmobley 0]

I just got my first rig. One of the biggest things I noticed was how comfortable the harness/container was when under canopy.

... Marion

[Flapjack 0]

I have been looking at getting my own rig but was actually looking at used ones. After Saturday though I have been rethinking that and am leaning on getting a custom fitted container. I don't want to have the same problem with used equipment.

[masterrig 1]

You can do pretty good, buying 'used' just don't jump (sorry) at the first used rig you come to. Get with riggers and instructors at your dz for advice. If, when you're ready, and you can afford new gear... go for it. Again, get advice and help.


Chuck

[riggerrob 643]

Second-hand harnesses are not necessarily evil .... as long as the first owner is about the same size as you.

[AlexCrowley 0]

Velocity sports have my 'new' used Infinity and are adjusting the harness for me for what I consider a very reasonable price.

Turn around time seems to be about a week or so, excluding shipping time. I'm expecting it back next Mon/Tues and jumpable (repack pending) by the following weekend.

TV's got them images, TV's got them all, nothing's shocking.

[dragonfyr 0]

I had the same problem for years with both arms and legs. I probably had 400 jumps on 3 different containers that were never quite the right size, but were the right price. I finally bought a container from someone at my dropzone that was close to me in size and wow, what a difference. Since then I have bought a new container and found it to be even better.

IMO, the best investment is a container built to fit you. You can buy the other components used to save money, but the container is worth it unless you find a used one that fits you well.

Don

[GravityGirl 0]

It is possible to find used gear that is a good fit. If you need help determining size and fit of some used stuff you find out there, just PM me.

Many people only fixate on canopy size when shopping used gear. It is equally as important to find a match in the harness size. For both safety and comfort reasons.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Peace and Blue Skies!
Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear!

[Bandanarama 0]

It might not be from the openings. It could be from aggressive turns while under canopy. Of those two possibilities, one you can control in the immediate future. The next time you're at the DZ, take it easy under canopy and see if you have bruises. Think of it as just enjoying the canopy ride and sites longer...

Of course, a better fitting rig will always help and you can always toss on some extra layers for padding in the upcoming months as the temperature gets cooler. In the meantime, you may want to try on different size student rigs for optimal fitting.


Eric

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One's destination is never a place, but rather a new way of looking at things. ~ Henry Miller

[kelpdiver 2]

Quote

It might not be from the openings. It could be from aggressive turns while under canopy. Of those two possibilities, one you can control in the immediate future. The next time you're at the DZ, take it easy under canopy and see if you have bruises. Think of it as just enjoying the canopy ride and sites longer...

?? What sort of canopy turns are you doing?

I've occasionally gotten a raspberry since I got my rig. But it was almost a given with the AFF gear.

[PaulProbuild 0]

I used to get really spanked by the student rigs I used & so did my female jump buddy (Crazy_Biatch), we both had some really bad bruising on our arms & legs,

This got better for me when I converted from student rigs to my own rig & now I don't get any bruises at all, It got better for her when she also came off student rigs & converted to the "better" club rigs,

A well fitting harness helps, My rig was bought secondhand but it was originally made for someone about my size

we both did the RAPS Static line system & not AFF

[Superman32 0]

Leg bruises are obvious, but what gives the bruise on inside part of the bicep?

Inveniam Viam aut Faciam
I'm back biatches!

[EvilLurker 2]

Quote

but what gives the bruise on inside part of the bicep?

The risers slapping you during deployment, most likely. I've seen a few students get neck burns from risers, too.

[dbattman 0]

You are probably reaching up after deployment to immediately grab the risers. I used to do this when I was first starting out and had the same types of bruises.

Try not to do that unless you have twists. When you reach up like that you are also shifting in the harness and changing the pull of the risers on the opening which can cause other issues like the line twists you are trying to avoid.

Pitch out, keep your arms out to the sides and go limp in the harness after the snatch unless you need to grab the risers for a twist or malfunction. Not only will you help the bruising, but your openings will probably be better.

[adobelover 0]

Sounds like "grip" bruising. I occasionally get fingertip bruises on the inside of my upper arms when one of my fellow RW jumpers has too tight of a hold there...usually on an exit.

_________________________________________


Old age ain't no place for sissies!

[Bandanarama 0]

You can pull some nice Gs if you are really aggressive with your turns. If your harness shifts on your shoulder it can cause rasberries or bruising on the upper arms. I have always liked to really push my turns not only in one direction but in the transitions too. You can easily end up above your canopy with this type of "play".

Am I the only one that has experienced rasberries or bruises from aggressive turns? This has happened to me on student gear as well as occasionally on my own gear.


Eric

___________________________________________________

One's destination is never a place, but rather a new way of looking at things. ~ Henry Miller