Different ripcord sizes?

[Mike111 0]

Hey everyone,

I did a search of the forums and couldn't find anything on this so i was wondering if anyone could offer some advice...

... Im half way through AFF and used a BOC throw out system, but used two different rigs - one with a ball type ripcord to grasp and throw and one with a smaller type of hollow tube one.

The ball one was easy to find and get your hand around (no pun meant!), but i had great trouble finding and grasping the smaller hollow tube one, to the point where i was assisted everytime in pulling and even the instructor pulling for me (Level 4 !)

Therefore, if one has to keep to strict altitude pull times for other jumpers safety and for your own safety, should one alwasy ask to use the easier method of deployment, or gain competence on both methods - so therefore if that type of ripcord was only available at a DZ, one would be able to jump it.

I fully appreciate the argument of safety via the easier method, thus being the more logical answer, but am unsure whether or not it is important to have competence on all type of ripcord sizes incase one ever has to use them, or that it is a general skill which all students shoudl eventually learn?

Therefore, if that is the case, should one carry on using the smaller ripcord and keep going lower than they should until they get it right?

Thanks very much in advance for any advice, i hope it is not a stupid question.

Kind regards,

Mike

[wmw999 2,453]

Right now in your shoes I'd tell the instructor every time that you like the ball type of pull better than the tube. There are people who like the tube, but you're completely within your rights to say that you like one over the other.

They might suggest additional training on the tube type (which would probably help solve the problem), or they might try harder to let you use the ball type most of the time (which would probably help solve the problem). Or both.

Or you could ask to practice with the tube type yourself -- that would be taken as a really good sign by your instructor. Really good.

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)

[kelpdiver 2]

some people prefer the plastic tube, though I think more like the hackey, or the freefly handles that are becoming more common.

How many times had you use the tube, aside from your your tricky pull? What did your instructor say afterwards?

Changing gear early on can make things too interesting. I did one with an altimeter that rotated the display 90 degrees from what I was used to. Lead to me being surprised at 6k when I thought I was at 9. But you may find rental rigs to have a mix of hackeys and tubes.

[Mike111 0]

Hey,

I had used the tube on one another occasion outa 5 AFF jumps and my hand had to be placed on it because i couldn;t graps it properly. My instructor did mention less eratic movements, although when i used the ball i pretty much found it everytime.

Do you think i should still practice on the ground and maybe in the air (pulling higher to compensate for grapsing time?) or stick with the ball?

Thanks,

Mike

[kelpdiver 2]

Quote

Do you think i should still practice on the ground and maybe in the air (pulling higher to compensate for grapsing time?) or stick with the ball?

Probably both - try to use the hackey rigs when possible, but wouldn't hurt to do practice pulls on the ground with the other. You can't always guarantee that you'll get a rig with the hackey. On the other hand, you can decide you just won't take that risk at this time, and opt not to jump.

Also, your pulls will get better with time, and it may not be such a big deal. Both handles are in the same place, it's just that the pipe can be either wide or narrow depending on how you initially grasp it.

[Mike111 0]

hey,

Thanks for the advice. Hopefully will get the hackey the most of the time, but will be prepared and wil practicse for the tube.

Thanks once again,

Mike

[Mike111 0]

Hey,

Thanks also for the help. When i netx visit the DZ ill start having proper practices on both rigs to, while trying to mainly use the hackey. (anything for the easy life!)

Thanks,

Mike

[Orange1 0]

also just remember to keep your fingers spread to make finding it (whether hacky or tube) easier... and so you don't, like i did on one jump, get a finger caught in the middle of the tube

Skydiving: wasting fossil fuels just for fun.

[Mike111 0]

Hi,

" get a finger caught in the middle of the tube" - Ouch. That must have been painful.

That was also a fear I had about the tube, and as one can't see where or what shape one's hands are, it is one reason why the hacky, in my humble opinion is slightly more comrfotable than the tube. But it is down to personal preference i guess.

I hope you healed up alright
Thanks,

Mike

[chutem 0]

Does the rig with the tube handle fit you ok? I was thinking that rig might be moving around dureing the freefall. Is it a locating the tube or pulling the tube problem? I have very little experience so I won't offfer advise accept to go over this with the instructor. It was not a problem for me with the tube type dureing AFF but all the jumps were on that same type system.
James

[Mike111 0]

Hey,

Both rigs fitted perfectly with regard to my size and shape - they were both the same size rig and container, it was just the tube ones were harder for me to locate - at pulltime i would reach round to find it and as it was smaller either miss it or not get a proper grip.

However with the ball one i always seemed to strike it and could easily get my hand around it, probably due to the way i grip things i guess.

The DZ generally is very busy with many tandems and other students and therefore, I was often on the load right after the last one, and so there wasn;t enough time to wait for the hackey rig to be packed and then gear up.so i was given another student rig, which is perfectly understandable considering the amount of work the guys have to do(nothing against the DZ, it is a fantastic great place with really really good teaching and instructors
I guess as other have advised, I shoudl practice on both, but try at all times to use the hackey when possible, and if I feel uncertain, just not jump that particulary load if that is ok with my instructors.

Did you ever use a Hackey?

Thanks,

Mike

[Orange1 0]

Quote

Hi,

" get a finger caught in the middle of the tube" - Ouch. That must have been painful.

Not painful, just scary - I just had horrible visions for a second of a horseshoe i wouldn't have been able to cut away from properly... then i shook it free and everything went as normal. I'm using a rig with a hacky now
A second is a long time in a skydive.

Skydiving: wasting fossil fuels just for fun.

[Mike111 0]

Oh phew, for a minute i thought you meant you got your finger caught in the tube as it pulled and then went up. oops! (that would have been very painful)

glad there are other hackey uses to - woohoo !

Hey glad and very relieved to hear you ended up with a good canopy
Mike

[riggerrob 643]

The cure to your dilemma is to don the rig and do dozens of practice pulls while walking around the DZ.

I have thousands of jumps with tubular plastic handles.
... think hacky sacks are something that should be kicked around the DZ.
... think monkey fists are comfortable.
... will probably buy a freefly-compatible BOC on my next rig.

Just call me a grumpy old grey beard!
Hee!
Hee!

[Mike111 0]

Lol!

Bit unfair on hackies aint it LOL!

Ahhh, I will always love and try and use the hacky (feel most comfortable on it), but will definately try and get accustomed to the tube thingy, so If i ever have to use it i will have at least have a fair idea, and practice it with the instructors.

Thanks for the help Grey beard

Mike

[mjosparky 4]

Quote

Just call me a grumpy old grey beard!
Hee!
Hee!

You are a grumpy old grey beard!

Sparky

My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals