Weight question

[jm951 0]

I'm going through AFF and haven't seen an answer to this yet, but then again, I haven't thought to ask my DZ instrutructor last time there. I'm planning on using student rental gear at least till I get the A, but I'm also thinking ahead to my first rig if a good deal pops up. Now to the question-

I weighed about 185 and out the door on my last jump with rig, probably in the 210 range. I also referee soccer and during an active season, my weight will drop from 185 to about 170. That brings up several issues in my mind, namely canopy size and harness adjustability. If this trend continues, during the season my wing loading will drop and a harness that was fine at the beginning may be a marginal fit later. BTW I'm 6'1. Any suggestions or comments along these lines about canopy and brand/type harness would be greatly appreciated.

Before any cracks about Jenny Craig, try doing 3-4 high school testosterone soaked double headers each week capped off with 5-8 80 minute classic matches on the weekend and I about don't care what you eat, it ain't stayin' on. Maybe with some more skydiving on weekends, this might not happen as often.

[NWFlyer 2]

First, wing loading and harness sizing are two separate issues. If your weight regularly fluctuates within that range, you'd probably be better off making your canopy sizing decision based on your high weight rather than your low weight. As a newer jumper, a more conservative choice is probably smart. Your instructors should be able to help you figure out an appropriate size.

As for whether the harness will fit you - rigs are adjustable enough that a 15 lb difference probably won't be that big a deal. If you're buying a used rig and have to tighten it all the way down to get it to fit at your high weight, then yeah, it probably won't work for you at your low weight. Conversely if you have no wiggle room at your low weight then it's not going to work at your high weight.

But in reality, if you find one that's a comfortable fit at either weight, you should be fine as you go up and down. I've gained weight since I bought my rig and mine still fits safely and (fairly) comfortably, though I like it better at a lower weight.

If you haven't read them, these articles (particularly the ones by Lisa Briggs) are a great way to start thinking about gear:

http://www.dropzone.com/safety/Gear_and_Equipment/index.shtml

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[Remster 30]

Get a canopy that you will be confortable under at the higher wingload.

As far as the harness goes, They dont fit like gloves you know... There is quite a bit of adjustability in the legstraps.

Remster

[airtwardo 7]

I about don't care what you eat...

***

Different approach..........!!!

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[jm951 0]

uhmm tried that but the side effect of alcohol coupled with fatigue means you won't get but a couple in before dozing off in the chair o death. On more than one occasion, I came in from an intense set, got a hot shower, relaxed in the chair with an adult beverage, turned on the news at 10, and boom, it's 4a, my drink is half gone and warm

[DrewEckhardt 0]

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I weighed about 185 and out the door on my last jump with rig, probably in the 210 range. I also referee soccer and during an active season, my weight will drop from 185 to about 170.

I've varied from 145 pounds in bicycle racing shape to 180 with six-pack stomach @ 5'10". While it makes a big difference in fitting your jump suits, it doesn't have much effect on how rigs fit.

The wing loading change is noticeable at 105, 135, and 245 square feet; you'll want to size your canopy for you at your biggest.

[iamsam 0]

Just get down with a training program, for it is indeed the answer,

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Different approach..........!!!

!!!

Buy that man a

I consider this thread dead, back to my

or howabout wearing weights and somehow extra padding in your clothes where the rig fits? Build a fat suit , if its that much of a concern.

but what do I know

[BIGUN 1,409]

Suggestion:

Talk to your local rigger about doing your harness sizing when you're passing thru the 177# mark and ask for 2 extra inches of chest strap.

Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

[popsjumper 2]

Leave it to Bigun to come up with the best solution.

My reality and yours are quite different.
I think we're all Bozos on this bus.
Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239

[jm951 0]

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Suggestion:

Talk to your local rigger about doing your harness sizing when you're passing thru the 177# mark and ask for 2 extra inches of chest strap.

That sounds like a plan. The problem I think I'm going to encounter is getting that first rig. If it's used, will it be ok sizewise without alteration? If I have to alter it, I'm thinking new container might not be much more expensive. For a main, I'm thinking a 210 ZP of some description. PD has one that I'd like to get some feedback on.

As for what I ultimately want to do in this sport, I really don't know, except it better involve jumping. I like the idea of RW, photog, accuracy stuff. First order of business is get experience and as much training as possible. Then figure out what I like most.

thanx for the replies guys

[sparkie 0]

I think with bellys usually growing forward, there will be no problem with the harness. And Leg straps can be adjusted.

And conservative canopy choice is probably best. I'm roughly at a WL of 1,05:1 and still need to pay extra attention on no wind days.

[Remster 30]

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Talk to your local rigger

Actually, I dont think he/she is the best resource for an issue like this. The best fittings I ever got for gear was when I got measured by the staff of large gear stores (Square 1 and 2 in my case). They measure A LOT of people, and know who the measurement translate into fit form the manufacturers they deal with.

While a rigger is a great resource for gear maintenance, compatibility of parts, and things of that nature IMO.

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If it's used, will it be ok sizewise without alteration?

Again, rigs arent gloves. They have leg straps that adjust. I dont know many skydivers who keep an exact weight, or body shape. Heck, I've gone from 210 to 230, and from 230 to 220 but with lots more leg muscle, on the same rig, with no issue whatsoever. I think you are overthinking the issue for 15 lbs.

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If I have to alter it, I'm thinking new container might not be much more expensive.

Depends on the rig. Som rigs with full articulation are notoriously easy to alter. This is definatly somehting you can discuss with your local master rigger, or factory reps.

Remster

[jakee 1,563]

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The problem I think I'm going to encounter is getting that first rig. If it's used, will it be ok sizewise without alteration?

It would only have to be altered if you were a very, very different size than the person it was built for. Way more than just a stone of weight and a couple inches in height. There's going to be loads of rigs out there that fit you, shouldn't be any reason to get one that would need altering, unless maybe you were given it for free

Do you want to have an ideagasm?

[jm951 0]

Well I brought this up from experience in climbing. I have two harnesses that I used, one was for summer routes where we didn't have to bundle up and a snug fit was a good thing. The other is a bit looser to accomodate more clothing. Even so, the looser one wasn't loose to the point of unsafe in summer clothes, but it was light years more comfortable than the summer rig in winter. Later I got a harness that was adjustable so I didn't have to have two.

For you climbers out there, the summer rig was an old style Forrest Sit harness consisting of belt and separate leg loops. The winter rig was a Forrest Big Wall one piece. When Black Diamond started, they made a pretty decent adjustable that was just at home on rock jock routes as mountaineering snow slogs. I still climb that harness today. I haven't seen anything new that can rival it aside from weighing an ounce or two less. One other cool feature of that harness is you can attend to calls of nature without totally unroping.

Being a noob at skydiving and seeing my weight fluctuate through a season like it does, I was just thinking about that first rig and canopy.

[NWFlyer 2]

Remember that you're spending much less time hanging under a skydiving harness than you are under a climbing harness. Comfort is important, but probably not as much as in a climbing harness.

But yes, the canopy choice is an important one - better to pick your canopy based on your high weight than your low weight.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke