karenmeal 0 #1 February 16, 2006 Hey all, So I am looking for some brainstorming help from you guys. It looks like I am going to be teaching the gear portion at our DZ's safety day this year. I would like to do something beyond what the USPA sends out.. which is information on how to do a lengthy/complete gear check. I plan on going over that stuff, but I have an hour to get up on my soap box and talk to people. Last year I gave out dytter batteries to the whole DZ, gave everyone a new closing loop so that they never had to procrastinate about changing it, and made a big poster about when things will break. The poster made for a good 15 minute discussion on things like when to get a new line-set, when to get a new pilot chute, when to replace risers, and of course, when to replace your shoelaces when they go bad. I think the poster was good because we kept it up around the DZ for most of the year, so people became familiar with the items that they need to keep an eye on. Soo.. This year I want to do something slightly different, but equally helpful and informative. Any ideas? What things have you seen at a Safety Day that were really interesting? What things would you like to learn at a gear-related safety discussion? Any ideas for this years poster? Thank-you for your help! -Karen "Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
darkwing 5 #2 February 16, 2006 Just a few off-the-top ideas.... Use or discard at your pleasure. clean cutaway cable housings and cables? Inspect hand deploy pilot chutes, showing the good and bad. Kill line wear and shrinkage. Wear at the place the kill line exits the bridle... Fabric wear. Maybe have a couple of rigs with several things wrong that people, especially beginners, can go over and find the problems. Get a prize... Blindfolded packing contest. For beginners you can eliminate the requirement that they actually jump it. Inspect grommets on rigs, so what to look for regarding wear/damage/pulling out, etc. Especially slider grommets and the main container grommets. Show samples of different types of suspension lines, and give the specs, and the important differences. Go over line trim on main canopies. Compare a low time spectra set with a high time set. Show the difference between inboard and outboard line wear and shrinkage. velcro inspection BOC pouch inspection Stowing excess brake line. Steering line untwisting. -- Jeff My Skydiving History Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
uponone 0 #3 February 17, 2006 QuoteBlindfolded packing contest. For beginners you can eliminate the requirement that they actually jump it. QuoteMaybe have a couple of rigs with several things wrong that people, especially beginners, can go over and find the problems. Get a prize... Now that's a really good idea. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
karenmeal 0 #4 February 17, 2006 JW, Thanks for the list. That pretty much sums up what I did last year. I will definitely be sure to go over important issues again this year.. pilot chute stuff, line stuff.. cutaway system maintenance. I also had the rigs that had things wrong on them and plan on doing that again this year. Hmm.. I would like to think that people retained what I said last year, but chances are, I could repeat everything again and it would be just as good as trying to prepare something new. Thanks for the input. Any other ideas anyone? Keep em coming! -Karen -Blindfolded packing? Sounds like fun.. I'd actually like to have people challenge me for money.. I'd win. "Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bob.dino 1 #5 February 17, 2006 What to inspect on and how to hook up a new main. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 2 #6 February 17, 2006 Demonstrating (and showing how to avoid) some of the more common packing errors that could lead to a malfunction or a slammer; for example, sloppiness in slider placement (slammer), sloppy line stowing (tension knot or line dump), packing a step-thru, etc. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,451 #7 February 17, 2006 If you can get some pieces of ragged-out canopy, maybe a hands-on demonstration of how long it takes for a line to saw through or friction burn some canopy fabric, and maybe a demonstration of what a nick on a slider can do to a line. Also a demo of a twisted brake line vs. an untwisted one, and maybe show the effect of slinks that have not had the tab tacked (e.g. having a little loop of line on them, or even the cat's eye). 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) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sundevil777 102 #8 February 17, 2006 Show people (especially packers, who seem to not care) how they can abuse a cypres by tossing a container without a main in it down on a hard floor (bottom side of the reserve). Also, how the control unit cable (and control unit, depending on location) is abused when a rig is stood on end - yoke pushed down against ground.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 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
karenmeal 0 #9 February 17, 2006 QuoteShow people (especially packers, who seem to not care) how they can abuse a cypres by tossing a container without a main in it down on a hard floor (bottom side of the reserve). Hey.. Lets watch the anti-packer comments. I'm a packer, and I most certainly do care. In fact, I take care of a large portion of gear education on my DZ for no cost, I even show up for packing review classes on bad weather days for free. So be nice. With that said, that is a good idea, ways to prevent excess wear and tear on your rig. I don't think a lot of people realize/remember that they should be gentle with stuff like the yoke of their rig and the bottom of the reserve tray. Could be good to spread that kind of info around to the masses. -Karen "Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
karenmeal 0 #10 February 17, 2006 QuoteWhat to inspect on and how to hook up a new main. Yes! That is a good one. It is always shocking to me how so many people can be confused about how their canopy is hooked up. This would be a good time to try to clear up the mystery. -Karen "Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sundevil777 102 #11 February 17, 2006 Hey.. Lets watch the anti-packer comments. I'm a packer, and I most certainly do care...So be nice. Please accept my apology. Yes, I was making a generalization, unfortunately a generally correct one from what I've seen the last few years. If more people realize their expensive electronic gizmos face this possible abuse, then they will not put up with abusive packers, and everyone will benefit. Of course you don't have to be a packer to abuse a cypres in these ways. Good for everyone to learn.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 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #12 February 18, 2006 Setting the brake lines. Getting the twists out of the brake lines. How not to set the brake lines wrong and screw up the keeper. And...how to set the brake lines right. I don't know why I do it right half the time and wrong the other half. I know it's simple, but if you could go over it just *one* *more* *time* maybe some 'other' people will get it this time. (And don't go telling people you showed me just last Saturday. ) Also, is there any reading material you might inlcude in your gear seminar at Safety Day? (Besides the owner's manuals) I don't have tons of hands-on time to learn. I have to read it first.~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
karenmeal 0 #13 February 19, 2006 But Jaye.. didn't I just show you? I think the plan now is to have Todd teach the class and for me to be his little helper so he doesn't slack off. I know a lot about gear.. but Todd knows more. I can look into some reading material that may be appropriate for the masses. "Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #14 February 19, 2006 QuoteI think the plan now is to have Todd teach the class and for me to be his little helper Can you wear an elf suit? It would help with the 'little helper' bit. ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
