Twisted risers not noticed? How about a walk through?

[inyournavl 0]

I read in a post somewhere the other day about a fatality caused because the risers were twisted when attached to the rig. I being new, was wondering how you could pack a chute and not notice this, or a walk through for that matter. When you separate and walk up your lines while pushing the slider up and shake out your main wouldn't this be evident? Is there something that I should be doing that I have missed?

It doesn't have to make sense, It's just the way things are.

[fcajump 164]

Quote

I read in a post somewhere the other day about a fatality caused because the risers were twisted when attached to the rig. I being new, was wondering how you could pack a chute and not notice this, or a walk through for that matter. When you separate and walk up your lines while pushing the slider up and shake out your main wouldn't this be evident? Is there something that I should be doing that I have missed?

I do not KNOW how this individual situation occured, but this is ONE way that it CAN happen...

In changing out a main canopy for another (both with risers, DBag and PC attached), the packed main is removed from the container. The replacement is connected and packed/jumped. When the jumper is done with the replacement, it is disconnected. The original canopy is then reconnected while still in its D-Bag and lines still stowed. The D-Bag put back into the container and closed.

Notice that as the original canopy was never pulled out of its D-Bag, it never got a line check. During this, it is easy to induce a twist in the lines of one or both risers (or even a riser flipped through itself.)

DO NOT DO THIS!!!

If/when you are in the position to change out canopies, COMPLETELY check the hookup and line continuity. Taking shortcuts can be VERY hazardous to ones health.

This is even MORE the case when dealing with high performance canopies... A cargo-chute (like I jump) will give one more time to deal with rigging issues.

JW

Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

[riggerrob 643]

Walking up the lines - pushing out twists as you go - is a good habit, but not everyone does it.

For example, old-school, flat packers start by grabbing the top skin.

If there is any doubt - during my walk up - I turn around (to face the harness) and do a 6-line check. I start by grabbing a front corner (A line) and pull it outboard to ensure that it runs straight to the connector link. Then I slide my fingers along the edge of the stabilizer until I find a C line and repeat the process. Then I follow the edge of the stabiliser until I find a rear corner and pull a steering line outboard to confirm that it runs straight to a steering toggle. Then I repeat the process on the other side of the canopy.

There are FIVE important steps to every pack job:
1. brakes stowed
2. lines straight
3. slider all the way up
4. rubber bands tight
5. bridle routing

I laugh at people who obsess about flaking the bottom skin, but don't have a clue where their slider is in the completed pack job!
Hah!
Hah!

[inyournavl 0]

Okay, I could see it happening that way, So basically If I disconnect the main for any reason it should always be repacked no matter what. (Short cuts can hurt) Thanks. I also see I use the same cargo chute that you do.

It doesn't have to make sense, It's just the way things are.

[phoenixlpr 0]

Quote

I do not KNOW how this individual situation occured, but this is ONE way that it CAN happen...

In changing out a main canopy for another (both with risers, DBag and PC attached), the packed main is removed from the container. The replacement is connected and packed/jumped. When the jumper is done with the replacement, it is disconnected. The original canopy is then reconnected while still in its D-Bag and lines still stowed. The D-Bag put back into the container and closed.

Notice that as the original canopy was never pulled out of its D-Bag, it never got a line check. During this, it is easy to induce a twist in the lines of one or both risers (or even a riser flipped through itself.)

DO NOT DO THIS!!!

If/when you are in the position to change out canopies, COMPLETELY check the hookup and line continuity. Taking shortcuts can be VERY hazardous to ones health.

I have seen this along canopy demo, but they used a special bag holding the PC+canopy+risers+D-bag organized way. There can be a minor check of the risers: RSL rings should be on the same side than they were before it got disconnected.

[sundevil777 102]

I have never had a problem with taking off a main and setting it aside in a way that allows it to be reconnected correctly. I will continue to not bother repacking it because I have absolute confidence in my ability to do it right. It is all in the way that the main is removed/stored, and labeling the risers R/L helps.

People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

[leapdog 0]

Yup, always completely unpack and do a line check after swapping conopies. I got one backwards by not doing that.

Gunnery Sergeant of Marines
"I would like it if I were challenged mentally at my job and not feel like I'm mentally challenged." - Co-worker

[spoons 0]

I've had it happen twice to me - once whilst a student someone packed me an inversion, this didn't cause me any problems but I was very confused under canopy!

Second one was more recent where I was demoing a main canopy, I wasn't allowed to pack it so again got a packer to do so. Once I opened I realised one of the risers had a full twist in it (just one riser!) - so basically the rigger had put the lines onto the riser with a full twist...again no problems other than a little confusion and cursing

I can understand how both these can be overlooked if people rush and don't pay enough attention...

[fcajump 164]

Quote

I have never had a problem with taking off a main and setting it aside in a way that allows it to be reconnected correctly. I will continue to not bother repacking it because I have absolute confidence in my ability to do it right. It is all in the way that the main is removed/stored, and labeling the risers R/L helps.

Spoons example shows that the R/L and RSL checks are not enough. They do not alert you to a full 360 (or multiples) of an individual riser.

Considering the audience of the thread, I would strongly suggest that a full line check be done after any disconnect/reconnect.

(Sundevil - PM sent)

JW

Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

[koppel 4]

whiile you may have that confidence...

Not really a very good lesson to teach someone who may be reading here for information.

Better don't you think to add the addendum that maybe whilst you do that it is NOT RECOMMENDED because of the potential for mishap.

remeber your students copy you, mostly without the information they need to understand what they are doing.

I like my canopy...


...it lets me down.

[phoenixlpr 0]

Quote

remeber your students copy you, mostly without the information they need to understand what they are doing.

Student do not switch canopies. At least not here.

We can always repack if there is any doubt. Or pack it after we jumped as it was .

[MarkM 0]

Quote

When you separate and walk up your lines while pushing the slider up and shake out your main wouldn't this be evident? Is there something that I should be doing that I have missed?

Nope, it's just when you've been doing things for awhile you may start to take short cuts. So sometimes little things can get past you more easily if you're not really paying attention.