denete 3 #1 November 23, 2007 Okay, I wanted to get another sampling of the rationale for a "safety mantra" of mine. I know that I shouldn't wear an exposed belt when skydiving. How do I know this? I know this because my instructors say to not wear an exposed belt when skydiving. Here's the question. Why do you avoid wearing a belt? Or, do you wear one anyhow? (and by "you", I mean literally you...not me) Thanks for the info. - DavidSCR #14809 "our attitude is the thing most capable of keeping us safe" (look, grab, look, grab, peel, punch, punch, arch) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andrewwhyte 1 #2 November 23, 2007 Well, for one thing the running end will beat the shit out of you on the way down. The buckle could be a snag point for an entanglement as well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hackish 8 #3 November 23, 2007 I've always worn a belt on my jumps. Only the latter ones were done with a jumpsuit. I think it may depend on what sort of belt you have as mine is really thick and the running end is not likely to come out. I suppose it could be a snag issue if you're really unstable but I've never been told my attire was not acceptable. -Michael Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #4 November 23, 2007 Simple...potential snag-point issue. Same with Velcroed shoes. Same with jumpsuits with Velcroed wrist/leg bands instead of elastic. Same with radios on chestraps instead of inside the jumpsuit with headphones inside the helmet. I won't go into camera flying.My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Orange1 0 #5 November 23, 2007 Quote Same with jumpsuits with Velcroed wrist/leg bands instead of elastic. As a matter of interest... how is this different from the velcro strap on your alti (or isn't it?) I have sometimes looked at that and wondered what would happen if it did get snagged... though (just thinking out loud) I guess it's easier to get "rid" of the alti, if you can reach it.Skydiving: wasting fossil fuels just for fun. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DougH 270 #6 November 23, 2007 I think his point is that there are plenty of snag points that we willfully accept on a regular basis (even on our students) when jumping."The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,067 #7 November 23, 2007 > I think his point is that there are plenty of snag points that we > willfully accept on a regular basis (even on our students) when jumping. We try to minimize snag points, but there will always be some (i.e. handmount altimeters.) That's not an excuse to say "hey, there are other snag hazards; so adding another one is fine." We try to minimize them, which is why we do things like putting student altimeters on their left hand, putting radios inside the jumpsuit, having them take off big jewelry etc. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
councilman24 37 #8 November 23, 2007 I take my belt off because I don't need it to hold up my pants, the rig does that. It's more comfortable in the plane and otherwise without it. I never worried too much about it as a snag point but its worth taking off something that won't break. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DougH 270 #9 November 23, 2007 Quote We try to minimize snag points, but there will always be some (i.e. handmount altimeters.) That's not an excuse to say "hey, there are other snag hazards; so adding another one is fine." Bill do you believe that the average men's leather belt is a snag hazard? Oh and on the note of snag hazards, did any one notice the one in the student picture spread from November's parachutist."The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,067 #10 November 23, 2007 >Bill do you believe that the average men's leather belt is a snag hazard? Depends on the belt! Around here about 1/3 of the belts we see are hazards. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JSE 1 #11 November 24, 2007 Personally, I think it is better to wear a belt when freeflying w/o a jumpsuit than to let your shirt come untucked and cover your handles. But thats just me Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 16 #12 November 25, 2007 Quote Same with Velcroed shoes. Same with jumpsuits with Velcroed wrist/leg bands instead of elastic. Really? I've never heard of those as being safety hazards. Have any of those ever really caused a horseshoe? I'm not saying you're wrong. I just have a lot of years jumpmastering and I've never been briefed that those were dangerous. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #13 November 25, 2007 QuoteReally? I've never heard of those as being safety hazards. Have any of those ever really caused a horseshoe? I'm not saying you're wrong. I just have a lot of years jumpmastering and I've never been briefed that those were dangerous. I was briefed and I already have tested. Here's an opportunity for you to test and learn for yourself. Has velcro ever caused a horseshoe? I have no definitive incident to point you towards. My logic and common sense say that it is probable that velcro has been involved in a horseshoe malfunction and would make dealing with the situation just that much tougher. Thus, more "dangerous" than not. I subscribe to the theory of, "Hope for the best, prepare for the worst." I even cringe when jumpers wear ear rings. A good riser-slap would probably be a bloody affair.My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragon2 2 #14 November 25, 2007 Another big safety hazard are rings. We have one jumper minus one finger, she left it at the door ciel bleu, Saskia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dannydan 5 #15 November 25, 2007 Quote I guess it's easier to get "rid" of the alti, if you can reach it. If we cant reach the alti, then some serious shAT just happened! Quote Another bog safety hazard are rings. We have one jumper minus one finger, she left it at the door damnit.... thats a real bmr! In construction for 25 years climbing on and off of heavy equip up and down scaffolding (actually jumping off from 5 to 12 feet and praticing my PLFs) and have never had a problem with my wedding band... But then I knew it could be a problem early on, so I have always been aware of it and just always took care of it anytime my hand was close to any snaging objects... Its one of those microsecond mental decision thangys! Never use to wear a belt until about 38ish 39ish years of AGE!!! (young guns asking WHY???, yu'll see) lol But anywho, I wear a belt with my jeans in the fall and early spring just incase I would need a turniquot at landing.... My buckle is not huge or projecting. However, the first time I wore my belt this year I did turn it so the buckle was in the rear!! Which i now think that is completly pointless. YES the legstraps will hold up any pants, and I could use something from my rig as a turniquot! God forbid.. So in keeping with POPS/BVs theory (which I TOTALLY concur with) I will probably not wear one again IF there is NO bonafide reason to!! My shirts dont come untucked! Dont know why, they just dont! OBTW, I shed 23 pounds this summer! Got back into my 32s and still dont need a belt!! My ASS looks just fine too! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 16 #16 November 25, 2007 Quote I was briefed and I already have tested. Here's an opportunity for you to test and learn for yourself. Has velcro ever caused a horseshoe? I have no definitive incident to point you towards. My logic and common sense say that it is probable that velcro has been involved in a horseshoe malfunction and would make dealing with the situation just that much tougher. Thus, more "dangerous" than not. I even cringe when jumpers wear ear rings. A good riser-slap would probably be a bloody affair.topic> Well . . . I want to know who briefed you that velcro was a hazard. I work in a safety field in aviation and find that a few folks get pet theories, untested, that want to spread their word like gospel. Hook laces have long been known to be a cause to horseshoe malfunctions, and deserve to be taped over. But that cheap little velcro on a pair of Mall Walkers? I really don't think that would hold back your pilot chute at 120 mph. Half hitching your bridle around your arm or ankle would. I also can't see velcro closures on jumpsuit sleeves to be a big problem. If these truly are hazards, I'm buying some 3M stock 'cause we're gonna need a lot of duct tape at my DZ. Totally agree on the riser thing. Another good reason to were a helmet. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #17 November 26, 2007 Thanks for your opinion. Let us know how YOUR testing goes.My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #18 November 26, 2007 Quote ...My shirts dont come untucked! Dont know why, they just dont! My God, man! Figure that one out for us! I can tighten a belt to the point of blue-in-the face and my shirts come out before I leave the bedroom! I once thought of stapling the shirttails to my underwear but the thought of a wedgie curtailed that action. My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 16 #19 November 26, 2007 Quote Let us know how YOUR testing goes. 33 years, velcro cuffs, I'm not dead yet. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #20 November 26, 2007 I once thought of stapling the shirttails to my underwear but the thought of a wedgie curtailed that action. Quote You candy-ass wuss...Tuck you shirt into your pants, then run a couple of drywall screws into your hip bones, keeps the shirt in, pants up and there are no snag points....kids these days! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Liemberg 0 #21 November 26, 2007 Quote 33 years, velcro cuffs, I'm not dead yet. You thrillseeking daredevil! "Whoever in discussion adduces authority uses not intellect but memory." - Leonardo da Vinci A thousand words... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #22 November 27, 2007 Quote You candy-ass wuss...Tuck you shirt into your pants, then run a couple of drywall screws into your hip bones, keeps the shirt in, pants up and there are no snag points....kids these days! I never try to emmulate Chuck Norris. My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squarecanopy 0 #23 November 27, 2007 Quote I once thought of stapling the shirttails to my underwear but the thought of a wedgie curtailed that action. Quote You candy-ass wuss...Tuck you shirt into your pants, then run a couple of drywall screws into your hip bones, keeps the shirt in, pants up and there are no snag points....kids these days! You can always do the (less painful) Marine thing- they wear garters under their dress uni's that connect their shirttails to their socks. Works good, no drywall screws or bleeding all over the place... Just burning a hole in the sky..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #24 November 27, 2007 Quote Quote I once thought of stapling the shirttails to my underwear but the thought of a wedgie curtailed that action. Quote You candy-ass wuss...Tuck you shirt into your pants, then run a couple of drywall screws into your hip bones, keeps the shirt in, pants up and there are no snag points....kids these days! You can always do the (less painful) Marine thing- they wear garters under their dress uni's that connect their shirttails to their socks. Works good, no drywall screws or bleeding all over the place... And talk about a summer time fashion statement wearing shorts! "Rose goes in the front big guy" ~ Crash Davis ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZeG 0 #25 November 27, 2007 Quote Quote I once thought of stapling the shirttails to my underwear but the thought of a wedgie curtailed that action. Quote You candy-ass wuss...Tuck you shirt into your pants, then run a couple of drywall screws into your hip bones, keeps the shirt in, pants up and there are no snag points....kids these days! You can always do the (less painful) Marine thing- they wear garters under their dress uni's that connect their shirttails to their socks. Works good, no drywall screws or bleeding all over the place... Marines wear garter belts? Hm... interesting :D Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
