Straps chafing!

[TheBlueCat 0]

Is it just me being a muppet?

No matter what I do, including trying differnt clothes [varying thickness of material etc], I can't stop one or both of the leg straps chafing on every jump?

As far as I know from talking to instructors, they're tight enough each time, so I can't work out why I'm in some discomfort during the canopy ride, on the ground and then for a reasonable while after.
2 jumps in a day and I'm very sore (which is extremely annoying)!!

I know I'm only 20 jumps in, but now I've got my Cat 8 I'd kinda like to be jumping 5-10 times a day...

I really don't want to have to stick foam padding down my trousers every time I jump (Hhhm, cool! - Well, maybe just at the front to impress the ladies!)

-Paul.

[IanHarrop 42]

One of the problems rental gear can have is leg padding that has seen better days and that does not get replaced. Once you're on your own equipment you have control over maintenance.

"Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me" Dorothy

[TheBlueCat 0]

Cheers - Let's hope that's it (although they do supposedly have some decent gear down at Netheravon).

Wont be long before I get my first kit - if it's no better then, I'll just have to invest in Ibruprofin shares 'cos nothin's gonna stop me whiling my life away at 125mph!

[floridadiver81 0]

I found it painful on my first aff jump too. I noticed that loosening the legstraps a bit made it ALOT better(ehough to fit your fingers only in). This is a picture from my thigh that i posted on here before. I dont get this anymore becasue ihave learned to leave a little bit of room with the legstraps. Now..it worked for me...but obviously check with an instructor before tryng anything!

http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL523/3085107/14665339/232716934.jpg

"Age has absolutely nothing to do with knowledge, learning, respect, attitude, or personality." -yardhippie
"Fight the air, and the air will kick your ass!!! "-Specialkaye

[ltdiver 3]

To add to the excellent posts above, just let me add that student and rental gear is almost always uncomfortable. It isn't sized for you and is large and bulky. I used to get huge bruises on my inner thigh as well when I jumped the school's gear.

Fast forward to my own first gear. Still used, but sized for me and not as large. Never a problem after that.
So take heart. The chafing isn't for much longer. Consider it a right of passage. We all went through it in some form or another.

ltdiver

Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

[kkeenan 14]

You can put on a lot of Baby Powder. Or try this.

See if you can find some pads that are made for the shoulder harness of an automobile. The wool fleece ones are best, and they are sold in stores like Wal-Mart in the U. S. They are made to slip over the auto harness webbing, and will fit on legstrap webbing the same way. Then cut to size and slip them over your leg straps, on top of the existing legstrap pads. You will have to un-thread the webbing from the adjusters first, but that is easily done, and someone will surely help you. It is fairly easy to put these onto a rig and remove them when you are done, so just put them onto any rental rig that you use.

Kevin

_____________________________________
Dude, you are so awesome...
Can I be on your ash jump ?

[FallingDuck 0]

Best thing is to try a rig made by a different manufacturer, if they have them. A new type of strap might take the strain off your legs.

[TheBlueCat 0]

Thanks guys... a lot of good advice.

I'm off to the dz in about 5 hours (the weather doesn't look too good, but you never know...!)

Lets see...

[riggerrob 643]

A recurring problem - with students - is tightening leg straps around their thighs significantly BELOW their crotch. During opening shock, leg straps slap them in the crotch and cause ugly bruises.

The bottom line is: leg straps ARE going to end up in your crotch, so you might as well snug them tight in your crotch before exit.

[floridadiver81 0]

Quote

A recurring problem - with students - is tightening leg straps around their thighs significantly BELOW their crotch. During opening shock, leg straps slap them in the crotch and cause ugly bruises.

The bottom line is: leg straps ARE going to end up in your crotch, so you might as well snug them tight in your crotch before exit.

Ya know..i wish on of the instructors would have told me that. Thinking back to aff 1 that was the problem. I knew they were lower....but i didnt want to say anything. I figured they knew exactly how they should be. But thank you..at least you educated me for future referance!!

"Age has absolutely nothing to do with knowledge, learning, respect, attitude, or personality." -yardhippie
"Fight the air, and the air will kick your ass!!! "-Specialkaye

[TheBlueCat 0]

riggerrob

A recurring problem - with students - is tightening leg straps around their thighs significantly BELOW their crotch. During opening shock, leg straps slap them in the crotch and cause ugly bruises.

The bottom line is: leg straps ARE going to end up in your crotch, so you might as well snug them tight in your crotch before exit.

Cheers. As a Static Line Instructor now I'll be sure to look out for this with my students.

[riggerrob 643]

TheBlueCat

***A recurring problem - with students - is tightening leg straps around their thighs significantly BELOW their crotch. During opening shock, leg straps slap them in the crotch and cause ugly bruises.

The bottom line is: leg straps ARE going to end up in your crotch, so you might as well snug them tight in your crotch before exit.

Cheers. As a Static Line Instructor now I'll be sure to look out for this with my students.

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

One solution is to add elastic butt straps ... like are fashionable among free-fliers.

[rwieder 0]

I don't mind the itching, but I can't stand the swelling!

[sdigital 0]

I was renting student gear as well and had that same problem.

I have THE PERFECT solution for you that will cost you only $15.

Go to autozone and get padded seatbelt shoulder protectors, put your straps on, tighten them all the way and then sit down and put the seatbelt pads over them (covering the strap rings, etc)

I had to ask if it would interfere before I did it and my instructor looked at me like I had 2 heads. A week later, he comes up to me and is like, I was knocking you last week when I saw that but now I thought about it and its genius! Why didn't I think of that before.