Pillow Checks

[ikon 0]

We've started to go over gear checks during aff but I was wondering how you're supposed to check your pillow handles to make sure they're going to operate correctly. Obviously with a d-handle you can see the ball swage and give it a tug with your hand, though that doesn't really verify much, but what about pillow handles? Short of holding pins in place and giving the pillow a little tug is there any way to verify that everything is intact in there and you're not going to try to cutaway and end up with a hand full of pillow with no cables attached?

[kj126 0]

The one I have seen on numerous occasions is while putting the rig on, the pillow handle will tuck under the lift web, dont want to be fishing that thing out when in need. And also seated in the velcro properly.

I Am Sofa King We Todd Did!!

[ZigZagMarquis 9]

Oops! Here I ventured into this thread thinking it was going to be about Tandem Masters copping a boobies feel on their female tandem passengers during "handles checks."



Never mind.

Carry on.

[jimmytavino 16]

tough to do while the rig is on your back...

so.... every time you pack the main,, take a moment and check the intergity of the pillows and the cable(s) to which they are attached..
I NEVER "got" the reasoning behind "pillow reserve handles".. why???
i much prefer a metal D style handle for my reserve..
yeah yeah yeah,,, it can snag.. But NOT if i make sure it is seated in its' pocket , and if i protect it....
and i like the idea of being able to hook that metal handle with a thumb. or a portion of my hand, if the need arises..
Do a thorough gear check, including alllll handles, before you gear-up...
should really be no need to be grabbing at things in the plane,,, Other than a cursory feel, for the main Pc handle and to be sure the P C is properly stowed..
i tend to NOT touch my cutaway or reserve handles, once i'm geared up or in the plane

just me.....

jaytee

[RIGGER160 0]

  Quote

We've started to go over gear checks during aff but I was wondering how you're supposed to check your pillow handles to make sure they're going to operate correctly. Obviously with a d-handle you can see the ball swage and give it a tug with your hand, though that doesn't really verify much, but what about pillow handles? Short of holding pins in place and giving the pillow a little tug is there any way to verify that everything is intact in there and you're not going to try to cutaway and end up with a hand full of pillow with no cables attached?

No you cant. That is one of the arguments I have heard for not having them. Sometimes you just have to trust that your gear was made properly.

[Chubba 0]

Couldn't you check your pillow when doing your 3-ring maintenance?

[billeisele 130]

the best way is to put the rig on, firmly grasp the reserve pillow, pull to arm extension, throw pillow away, let the DZ dog have it for a chew toy, install a D-ring

problem solved

Give one city to the thugs so they can all live together. I vote for Chicago where they have strict gun laws.

[ikon 0]

Haha ok ok, well pillow reserve handles is an entirely different discussion, and I think I'm gonna get a d-ring anyways because you can get your thumbs in there.

But as far as the cutaway handle goes, you really have to just trust that the handle was made properly and the cable is secure, as rigger160 states?

I found another thread where Zoter took an xray of his pillows to see what's going on in there and it looks like the cutaway handle has some metal cyliner that the cable loops around. So, I guess I'm just wondering how do you know that the cable loop is secure and wont break open when you go to pull your cutaway handle, or that the metal cylinder that's sewn into the handle doesn't come undone.

Am I being paranoid? I'd just rather know exactly how everything works, especially if it's going to be saving my life one day.

links to Zoter's xrays;
Cutaway: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=55593;
Reserve: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=55594;

[SEREJumper 1]

To check your pillow reserve handle to make sure the cable is secure inside the pillow is easy. Open up your reserve flap, grab your reserve cable (keeping the reserve pin in place), pull down toward you. There is slack built into the cable/pillow, just like there is on a regular d-handle. The slack should play out and the cable should eventually come to a stop. If it stops, your good to go as you are going to be. Re-insert the cable back into the housing when complete.

We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

[likestojump 3]

it's quite simple, actually. Especially on the ground.

it's not 2 cables coming out of the pillow, it's infact a single cable that's looped around an attachment point that sewn into the inside of the pillow. Which means if you were to "cutaway" and end up with a pillow in your hand and the yellow cable still sticking out of the housing channel, you could just put your fingers/hand into the y-junction of the said cable (they are crimped together, as you saw on the x-ray) and yank on that. Trust me, if you cannot yank it out with yoru hand, you had no chance with a pillow.

for checking on the ground, just look at the cable coming out of the housing channel on the risers as you lightly tug on the pillow (you can unmate the velcro) - you will easily see movement. After done with you check, make sure to inser the yellow cable back in, and re-mate teh cutaway handle.

[RIGGER160 0]

  Quote

To check your pillow reserve handle to make sure the cable is secure inside the pillow is easy. Open up your reserve flap, grab your reserve cable (keeping the reserve pin in place), pull down toward you. There is slack built into the cable/pillow, just like there is on a regular d-handle. The slack should play out and the cable should eventually come to a stop. If it stops, your good to go as you are going to be. Re-insert the cable back into the housing when complete.

Really? Thats your so called inspection? Your not actually able to visually inspect anything inside nor can you put your hands on the equipment without taking it apart. Like I said. Sometimes you just have to trust your equipment. The X-ray is a good idea though.

[riggerrob 643]

" i tend to NOT touch my cutaway or reserve handles, once i'm geared up or in the plane

just me.....

jaytee

"

......................................................................

Funny!
We teach freefall students to (open hand) pat all handles - in the normal sequence - a couple of minutes before exit. It is the last step of a self gear check.
The process is similar to tandem instructors pating all their handles before exit.

[Beachbum 0]

Not an "every jump" check sort of thing ... but just being sure it's made solidly, do as mentioned in other threads. When it's repack time, put the rig on and pull it. Not a bad thing in terms of familiarity with the motion needed to remove it, and the amount of pull force needed in an unhampered chop situation, either! My rigger has encouraged this, and I think that many do the same.

As long as you are happy with yourself ... who cares what the rest of the world thinks?

[airtwardo 7]

But as far as the cutaway handle goes, you really have to just trust that the handle was made properly and the cable is secure, as rigger160 states?

[riggerrob 643]

"I found another thread where Zoter took an xray of his pillows to see what's going on in there and it looks like the cutaway handle has some metal cylinder that the cable loops around. "]

...........................................................................

Standards for soft reserve ripcord handles have always been vague.
The first improvement was to install a wide palstic stiffener to prevent them from being folded under the harness ... similar to the better cutaway pillows.
The second improvement came when Reflex installed a steel ring (RW-4) to prevent the soft handle from being sucked up the housing when the RSL pulled.
The next improvement was the Vector 3, with a one inch diameter steel tube.
The next improvement was the Javelin with a miniature (race track oval) steel tubing insert.

My favorite soft handle is Vector 3, because I can still grasp it with cold hands and bulky gloves. The best variation was made by Adventure SPorts Loft and had a grommet in the bottom that allowed you to pull the ball out the bottom for inspection.

[RIGGER160 0]

The best variation was made by Adventure SPorts Loft and had a grommet in the bottom that allowed you to pull the ball out the bottom for inspection.

[SEREJumper 1]

  Quote

Really? Thats your so called inspection?

Yes, that's why I posted it.

  Quote

Your not actually able to visually inspect anything inside nor can you put your hands on the equipment without taking it apart.

So since you can't have hands on the equipment from the inside, this is a quick and easy way of doing what you can with what you have IMO.

  Quote

Like I said. Sometimes you just have to trust your equipment. The X-ray is a good idea though.

I totally agree to trust your equipment, but the reality is, the majority of people will never X-ray their reserve pillows. I was just giving them another option rather than just blindly trust their equipment.

We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

[JerryBaumchen 1,387]

I have never been a fan of the 'soft' ripcords because they simply do not allow an inspection of some of the cable ( not a real big deal ) and no inspection of the ball.

Then I found this one: It is made by ParaTec in Germany.

I now make soft ripcords using this very part that I buy from them.

It does allow a complete inspection of the ripcord assembly.

Some will agree & some will disagree . . . .

JerryBaumchen