heidihagen 0 #1 August 5, 2005 i know you can see them just because i came across this thread: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=131291 .. no photo was attached, but it's an old thread. QuoteBecause the air is moving faster at the center of the dust devil, the air pressure at the center is lower than that further away, this causes even more air to be drawn in. Along with the air, it also draws in more dust and debris. As the air rushes in along the surface, it may also be heated somewhat. The combination of lower air pressure and heating causes the air, dust and debris inside the dust devil to rise. it sounds like they are more likely to happen on warm, windy days. in skylords thread, he mentioned one as high as 1500 feet!!! if it's what i'm picturing in my head, that seems like it could pull you right out of the sky when your setting up to land. http://www.gi.alaska.edu/ScienceForum/ASF2/227.html and quade's thread answered a lot of my questions, but i still have a lot more: are they easy to spot visably? how high can they go? how much surface can they cover? also, what causes them? by that i mean, are they more common during a certain season? or on high wind days? where do they occur most?....(the desert? the valley? the coast? outskirts of houston???) can you see them under canopy (say 300' away...)? how long do they last? if you saw one coming in on your final leg, what would you do? crab? braked approach? thanks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Tonto 1 #2 August 5, 2005 You can't always see them. In the winter, in Africa, there's a lot of long grass, but it's not loose, so it doesn't get picked up. You'll only spot them when they cross a dirt road or something. They always move down wind, so you should never run downwind from them. Crab upwind and off their windline. I have seen them at 1500 ft, but that is rare. 150 ft or lower is more common. They're really only a risk in the last 100 feet or so. tIt's the year of the Pig. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites jtval 0 #3 August 5, 2005 the problem isnt what you CAN SEE. it's what you can't (dont get me wrong...NEVER fly into one if you have a choice) but just becasue you see a Dust devil at 1500 feet doesn't mean it stops there. it goes a whole lot higher...its just the dust that stops. mostly occur in FLAT dry places during the "thermal cross over" time. I.E. when the sun starts cooling and the groundstarts rediating. but that doesnt mean that they dont happen at 9 am when the sun is barely out. In my experience ( at my CURRENT HOME DZ) on the days it gets bumpy it starts between 2-5pm. after that it usually calms down again. we are on very broken up terrain (our Landing area is on the top pf a hill) and rarely see DD's in our landing area but I am convinced that if we were on a flat(for miles) landing area we would be dealing with some very scary conditions. sorry If I left you with more questions than answers but Maybe that'll answer SOEM of your stuffMy photos My Videos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites riggerrob 643 #4 August 5, 2005 I saw hundreds of dust devils while jumping in Southern California (Cal.City, Hemet, Perris and Elsinore). Lately I have seen a few at Pitt Meadows (coastal rain forest, but dry during the summer), where there is bare dirt, where they are starting construction on new hangars. Usually at mid-day during the hottest days of summer. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Orange1 0 #5 August 5, 2005 QuoteThey always move down wind, so you should never run downwind from them. Crab upwind and off their windline. Ah, I love dz.com. Thanks Tonto - a very useful bit of advice that I've not heard elsewhere!Skydiving: wasting fossil fuels just for fun. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites HydroGuy 0 #6 August 5, 2005 I did a 13000 foot hop and pop last week @ Perris. Had a good canopy overhead for 11000 feet. Just crossed back over to the dz when I saw a plastic bag in front of me at about 1500 feet AGL...just a lonely plastic bag. Next thing I knew, my canopy collapsed into a total mess...not like when you stall and it folds all pretty...but like it left the D bag with no stowed lines or slider. Was getting ready to chop it when it reinflated. Kicked out of the line twists, got back on heading, did a control check because my bridle and PC were now wrapped over the front cells of and underneath my canopy. That little bag tried to give me a warning. The dust devil name is misleading...because often times they are invisible.Get in - Get off - Get away....repeat as neccessary Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites NWFlyer 2 #7 August 5, 2005 We saw some nasty ones on the drive out to Lost Prairie. Here's one photo that should give you an idea of what a *really* big one looks like (we felt like storm chasers going after this photo). But as others have mentioned, it's the ones you can't see that are really scary. Let's just say I probably wouldn't patronize a dropzone in this area any time soon!"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 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites jtval 0 #8 August 5, 2005 lol...do you often patronize DZ's?My photos My Videos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Elisha 1 #9 August 5, 2005 I did a 2-way with some dude at the American Boogie last year and we were both landing at the beginner landing area ("the Barn"). Shortly after we were under canopy, a 100+ ft dust devil appears where the van is supposed to pick us up. I was telling myself, "You Mr. Dust Devil can stay on your side of the field and I'll stay on the other side." We both landed w/o incident. That guy was going to send me a DVD with footage from that jump, but never did. I wish he would just upload it to skydivingmovies.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites NWFlyer 2 #10 August 5, 2005 Quotelol...do you often patronize DZ's? I try not to be patronizing. Sometimes people try my patience, though. "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 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites kelpdiver 2 #11 August 5, 2005 The Barn is a nasty place for that to happen, since most of the field is heavy green. It's only the road that cuts down the middle that has dirt to pick up. Not much better at the main landing area either. So much easier at Perris... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites mjosparky 4 #12 August 6, 2005 QuoteYou can't always see them. In the winter, in Africa, there's a lot of long grass, but it's not loose, so it doesn't get picked up. You'll only spot them when they cross a dirt road or something. They always move down wind, so you should never run downwind from them. Crab upwind and off their windline. I have seen them at 1500 ft, but that is rare. 150 ft or lower is more common. They're really only a risk in the last 100 feet or so. t They will usually appear in early afternoon on a warm to hot day. As the winds starts to move the air mass around it crosses over various surface types. Hot air rising off of a hot stretch of asphalt will get pushed over a patch of cooler grass and start to spin. If the temperature difference and the wind speed is right it turns into a “dust devil”. If you observe your home DZ for a while you will notice that they usually start in the same areas. At my home DZ it seems to be north of the hanger, just south of the grass landing area and at the point of Case Road and the cannel. Several years ago there was a fatality at this point when someone who had already landed got picked up by a “dust devil” and when he was slammed back down the injuries proved fatal. SparkyMy idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites skylord 1 #13 August 6, 2005 There was a HUGE one last weekend at Elsinore, right next to the student landing area, as mentioned. There was a solo in the pattern, who seemed oblivious to what was obvious to us on the ground. When he landed I talked to him about the experience. It was an eye opener for me. He stated he never saw it. After thinking about that for a few seconds it dawned on me that he was telling the truth. From below, we have a blue background to see the dirt flying around. From above, you are looking into a background that is the same as the debris flying around, so it would be in many cases MUCH harder to spot. It was enlightening, an instructor asked him if he tasted dirt in his mouth at 2,800 feet. He answered, yeah, I thought that was a bit strange. So if you taste earth at 3,000 feet, you're in a dust devil. Plus he got sucked back up into the sky several hundred feet. They spook me, I don't like them, but I'm glad I'm at a DZ where they happen, I can learn, and be safe. BobBob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites nate_1979 9 #14 August 6, 2005 QuoteThey spook me, I don't like them, but I'm glad I'm at a DZ where they happen, I can learn, and be safe. I think I've learned what I need to know, STAY AWAY FROM THEM.. having learned that, I'm happy I jump at a DZ that doesnt usually get them.. FGF #??? I miss the sky... There are 10 types of people in the world... those who understand binary and those who don't. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites jimbarry 0 #15 August 6, 2005 Is it correct to figure that lower wingloading (like student-low) would make one more susceptible to the danger of a dust devil? Or maybe just more dangerous to students due to their lack of piloting experience? Or both? Or are devils so much stronger than the movement and inflation of any canopy that they're just about as dangerous to anyone? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites tdog 0 #16 August 7, 2005 QuoteIs it correct to figure that lower wingloading (like student-low) would make one more susceptible to the danger of a dust devil? Or maybe just more dangerous to students due to their lack of piloting experience? Or both? Or are devils so much stronger than the movement and inflation of any canopy that they're just about as dangerous to anyone? I vote your second option Quote Or are devils so much stronger than the movement and inflation of any canopy that they're just about as dangerous to anyone?. The only advantage I see to a smaller canopy is that you MAY be able to "go faster" away from it or "go faster" thru it (assuming you make it thru it)... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites heidihagen 0 #17 August 8, 2005 QuoteQuoteYou can't always see them. In the winter, in Africa, there's a lot of long grass, but it's not loose, so it doesn't get picked up. You'll only spot them when they cross a dirt road or something. They always move down wind, so you should never run downwind from them. Crab upwind and off their windline. I have seen them at 1500 ft, but that is rare. 150 ft or lower is more common. They're really only a risk in the last 100 feet or so. t They will usually appear in early afternoon on a warm to hot day. As the winds starts to move the air mass around it crosses over various surface types. Hot air rising off of a hot stretch of asphalt will get pushed over a patch of cooler grass and start to spin. If the temperature difference and the wind speed is right it turns into a “dust devil”. If you observe your home DZ for a while you will notice that they usually start in the same areas. At my home DZ it seems to be north of the hanger, just south of the grass landing area and at the point of Case Road and the cannel. Several years ago there was a fatality at this point when someone who had already landed got picked up by a “dust devil” and when he was slammed back down the injuries proved fatal. Sparky QuoteQuoteThey always move down wind, so you should never run downwind from them. Crab upwind and off their windline. this is exactly the type of info i was looking for. thanks for providing more info everyone!!! i appreciate it.>> dustdevil.jpg nice shot krisanne! that's how i pictured one. like a mini tornado. scary! i wonder what percentage are visable? or like hydro mentioned, the plastic bag warning?i didn't lose my mind, i sold it on ebay. .:need a container to fit 5'4", 110 lb. cypres ready & able to fit a 170 main (or slightly smaller):.[/ce Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites slug 1 #18 August 8, 2005 Hi Sparky We remember reading about the poor guy at perris who landed and then got hit by the dust devil, picked him up and slammed him down I'm guessing it happened about 15 yr's ago. Soon after that incident we were jumping at a boogie AT dillingham field with some people from perris. they were cocking their cutaway pillow prior to landing and then cutting away as soon as they landed to prevent getting slammed after landing.. If you've already landed and a dust devil starts to head your way or mess with your canopy cutaway!, don't have a clue about a RSL R.I.P. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Guest #19 August 8, 2005 Quote cutaway!, don't have a clue about a RSL R.I.P. I'm a noob, but all RSLs I've seen have a release. I'd release the RSL before cutting away on the ground. You can have it good, fast, or cheap: pick two. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites kelpdiver 2 #20 August 8, 2005 Quote I'm a noob, but all RSLs I've seen have a release. I'd release the RSL before cutting away on the ground. if the problem is bad enough to require a cutaway on the ground, it's urgent enough to skip disconnecting that RSL. The reserve won't inflate in any winds you're jumping in. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Guest #21 August 8, 2005 QuoteQuote I'm a noob, but all RSLs I've seen have a release. I'd release the RSL before cutting away on the ground. if the problem is bad enough to require a cutaway on the ground, it's urgent enough to skip disconnecting that RSL. The reserve won't inflate in any winds you're jumping in. um, do you have personal experience with this situation? I'm not worried about the winds I'm jumping in. I'm considering plans of action for the dust devils that get going on my way to altitude. I'm planning for the winds I didn't jump in that happened anyway. Ones strong enough to pick up the guy at Perris 15 years ago and kill him. If there is enough wind to cause a me a similar problem, there certainly might be enough to inflate a reserve. I'll be unhooking the RSL as I heard towards the main (or am gettig dragged by it). You go right ahead and chop with an RSL attached, it'll probably be fine. But I'll simply obviate the need to have to hook knife my reserve on the ground, as I'm being dragged by it, by simply disconnnecting the RSL. You can have it good, fast, or cheap: pick two. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites nate_1979 9 #22 August 9, 2005 If a dust devil is picking you up, you probably dont have the time to sit there and think "hmm, i'd better disconnect my rsl before I cut away this main thats getting ready to take me for a ride right now" ... ... Just a hunch... FGF #??? I miss the sky... There are 10 types of people in the world... those who understand binary and those who don't. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Guest #23 August 9, 2005 QuoteIf a dust devil is picking you up, you probably dont have the time to sit there and think "hmm, i'd better disconnect my rsl before I cut away this main thats getting ready to take me for a ride right now" ... ... Just a hunch... okay, if I'm being drug into the air, chopping will probably happen automatically/instinct/and that doesn't take long. But if I think of it I'll still unhook the RSL first if I'm not airborne. Maybe this'll clear things up - when I buy my own gear I'l be getting a Vector with Skyhook. The reserve will be following the main out of the rig. Also, I spoke with my AFF/I about the whole ground chop subject some weeks ago. In his 25 years of jumping he's never had to ground chop. He said he's had to run towards the main to keep it from inflating it a couple times, but that took care of it even in very high winds. You can have it good, fast, or cheap: pick two. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. 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Tonto 1 #2 August 5, 2005 You can't always see them. In the winter, in Africa, there's a lot of long grass, but it's not loose, so it doesn't get picked up. You'll only spot them when they cross a dirt road or something. They always move down wind, so you should never run downwind from them. Crab upwind and off their windline. I have seen them at 1500 ft, but that is rare. 150 ft or lower is more common. They're really only a risk in the last 100 feet or so. tIt's the year of the Pig. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jtval 0 #3 August 5, 2005 the problem isnt what you CAN SEE. it's what you can't (dont get me wrong...NEVER fly into one if you have a choice) but just becasue you see a Dust devil at 1500 feet doesn't mean it stops there. it goes a whole lot higher...its just the dust that stops. mostly occur in FLAT dry places during the "thermal cross over" time. I.E. when the sun starts cooling and the groundstarts rediating. but that doesnt mean that they dont happen at 9 am when the sun is barely out. In my experience ( at my CURRENT HOME DZ) on the days it gets bumpy it starts between 2-5pm. after that it usually calms down again. we are on very broken up terrain (our Landing area is on the top pf a hill) and rarely see DD's in our landing area but I am convinced that if we were on a flat(for miles) landing area we would be dealing with some very scary conditions. sorry If I left you with more questions than answers but Maybe that'll answer SOEM of your stuffMy photos My Videos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #4 August 5, 2005 I saw hundreds of dust devils while jumping in Southern California (Cal.City, Hemet, Perris and Elsinore). Lately I have seen a few at Pitt Meadows (coastal rain forest, but dry during the summer), where there is bare dirt, where they are starting construction on new hangars. Usually at mid-day during the hottest days of summer. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Orange1 0 #5 August 5, 2005 QuoteThey always move down wind, so you should never run downwind from them. Crab upwind and off their windline. Ah, I love dz.com. Thanks Tonto - a very useful bit of advice that I've not heard elsewhere!Skydiving: wasting fossil fuels just for fun. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HydroGuy 0 #6 August 5, 2005 I did a 13000 foot hop and pop last week @ Perris. Had a good canopy overhead for 11000 feet. Just crossed back over to the dz when I saw a plastic bag in front of me at about 1500 feet AGL...just a lonely plastic bag. Next thing I knew, my canopy collapsed into a total mess...not like when you stall and it folds all pretty...but like it left the D bag with no stowed lines or slider. Was getting ready to chop it when it reinflated. Kicked out of the line twists, got back on heading, did a control check because my bridle and PC were now wrapped over the front cells of and underneath my canopy. That little bag tried to give me a warning. The dust devil name is misleading...because often times they are invisible.Get in - Get off - Get away....repeat as neccessary Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #7 August 5, 2005 We saw some nasty ones on the drive out to Lost Prairie. Here's one photo that should give you an idea of what a *really* big one looks like (we felt like storm chasers going after this photo). But as others have mentioned, it's the ones you can't see that are really scary. Let's just say I probably wouldn't patronize a dropzone in this area any time soon!"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 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jtval 0 #8 August 5, 2005 lol...do you often patronize DZ's?My photos My Videos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elisha 1 #9 August 5, 2005 I did a 2-way with some dude at the American Boogie last year and we were both landing at the beginner landing area ("the Barn"). Shortly after we were under canopy, a 100+ ft dust devil appears where the van is supposed to pick us up. I was telling myself, "You Mr. Dust Devil can stay on your side of the field and I'll stay on the other side." We both landed w/o incident. That guy was going to send me a DVD with footage from that jump, but never did. I wish he would just upload it to skydivingmovies.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #10 August 5, 2005 Quotelol...do you often patronize DZ's? I try not to be patronizing. Sometimes people try my patience, though. "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 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #11 August 5, 2005 The Barn is a nasty place for that to happen, since most of the field is heavy green. It's only the road that cuts down the middle that has dirt to pick up. Not much better at the main landing area either. So much easier at Perris... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjosparky 4 #12 August 6, 2005 QuoteYou can't always see them. In the winter, in Africa, there's a lot of long grass, but it's not loose, so it doesn't get picked up. You'll only spot them when they cross a dirt road or something. They always move down wind, so you should never run downwind from them. Crab upwind and off their windline. I have seen them at 1500 ft, but that is rare. 150 ft or lower is more common. They're really only a risk in the last 100 feet or so. t They will usually appear in early afternoon on a warm to hot day. As the winds starts to move the air mass around it crosses over various surface types. Hot air rising off of a hot stretch of asphalt will get pushed over a patch of cooler grass and start to spin. If the temperature difference and the wind speed is right it turns into a “dust devil”. If you observe your home DZ for a while you will notice that they usually start in the same areas. At my home DZ it seems to be north of the hanger, just south of the grass landing area and at the point of Case Road and the cannel. Several years ago there was a fatality at this point when someone who had already landed got picked up by a “dust devil” and when he was slammed back down the injuries proved fatal. SparkyMy idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skylord 1 #13 August 6, 2005 There was a HUGE one last weekend at Elsinore, right next to the student landing area, as mentioned. There was a solo in the pattern, who seemed oblivious to what was obvious to us on the ground. When he landed I talked to him about the experience. It was an eye opener for me. He stated he never saw it. After thinking about that for a few seconds it dawned on me that he was telling the truth. From below, we have a blue background to see the dirt flying around. From above, you are looking into a background that is the same as the debris flying around, so it would be in many cases MUCH harder to spot. It was enlightening, an instructor asked him if he tasted dirt in his mouth at 2,800 feet. He answered, yeah, I thought that was a bit strange. So if you taste earth at 3,000 feet, you're in a dust devil. Plus he got sucked back up into the sky several hundred feet. They spook me, I don't like them, but I'm glad I'm at a DZ where they happen, I can learn, and be safe. BobBob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nate_1979 9 #14 August 6, 2005 QuoteThey spook me, I don't like them, but I'm glad I'm at a DZ where they happen, I can learn, and be safe. I think I've learned what I need to know, STAY AWAY FROM THEM.. having learned that, I'm happy I jump at a DZ that doesnt usually get them.. FGF #??? I miss the sky... There are 10 types of people in the world... those who understand binary and those who don't. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimbarry 0 #15 August 6, 2005 Is it correct to figure that lower wingloading (like student-low) would make one more susceptible to the danger of a dust devil? Or maybe just more dangerous to students due to their lack of piloting experience? Or both? Or are devils so much stronger than the movement and inflation of any canopy that they're just about as dangerous to anyone? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tdog 0 #16 August 7, 2005 QuoteIs it correct to figure that lower wingloading (like student-low) would make one more susceptible to the danger of a dust devil? Or maybe just more dangerous to students due to their lack of piloting experience? Or both? Or are devils so much stronger than the movement and inflation of any canopy that they're just about as dangerous to anyone? I vote your second option Quote Or are devils so much stronger than the movement and inflation of any canopy that they're just about as dangerous to anyone?. The only advantage I see to a smaller canopy is that you MAY be able to "go faster" away from it or "go faster" thru it (assuming you make it thru it)... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
heidihagen 0 #17 August 8, 2005 QuoteQuoteYou can't always see them. In the winter, in Africa, there's a lot of long grass, but it's not loose, so it doesn't get picked up. You'll only spot them when they cross a dirt road or something. They always move down wind, so you should never run downwind from them. Crab upwind and off their windline. I have seen them at 1500 ft, but that is rare. 150 ft or lower is more common. They're really only a risk in the last 100 feet or so. t They will usually appear in early afternoon on a warm to hot day. As the winds starts to move the air mass around it crosses over various surface types. Hot air rising off of a hot stretch of asphalt will get pushed over a patch of cooler grass and start to spin. If the temperature difference and the wind speed is right it turns into a “dust devil”. If you observe your home DZ for a while you will notice that they usually start in the same areas. At my home DZ it seems to be north of the hanger, just south of the grass landing area and at the point of Case Road and the cannel. Several years ago there was a fatality at this point when someone who had already landed got picked up by a “dust devil” and when he was slammed back down the injuries proved fatal. Sparky QuoteQuoteThey always move down wind, so you should never run downwind from them. Crab upwind and off their windline. this is exactly the type of info i was looking for. thanks for providing more info everyone!!! i appreciate it.>> dustdevil.jpg nice shot krisanne! that's how i pictured one. like a mini tornado. scary! i wonder what percentage are visable? or like hydro mentioned, the plastic bag warning?i didn't lose my mind, i sold it on ebay. .:need a container to fit 5'4", 110 lb. cypres ready & able to fit a 170 main (or slightly smaller):.[/ce Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slug 1 #18 August 8, 2005 Hi Sparky We remember reading about the poor guy at perris who landed and then got hit by the dust devil, picked him up and slammed him down I'm guessing it happened about 15 yr's ago. Soon after that incident we were jumping at a boogie AT dillingham field with some people from perris. they were cocking their cutaway pillow prior to landing and then cutting away as soon as they landed to prevent getting slammed after landing.. If you've already landed and a dust devil starts to head your way or mess with your canopy cutaway!, don't have a clue about a RSL R.I.P. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest #19 August 8, 2005 Quote cutaway!, don't have a clue about a RSL R.I.P. I'm a noob, but all RSLs I've seen have a release. I'd release the RSL before cutting away on the ground. You can have it good, fast, or cheap: pick two. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #20 August 8, 2005 Quote I'm a noob, but all RSLs I've seen have a release. I'd release the RSL before cutting away on the ground. if the problem is bad enough to require a cutaway on the ground, it's urgent enough to skip disconnecting that RSL. The reserve won't inflate in any winds you're jumping in. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest #21 August 8, 2005 QuoteQuote I'm a noob, but all RSLs I've seen have a release. I'd release the RSL before cutting away on the ground. if the problem is bad enough to require a cutaway on the ground, it's urgent enough to skip disconnecting that RSL. The reserve won't inflate in any winds you're jumping in. um, do you have personal experience with this situation? I'm not worried about the winds I'm jumping in. I'm considering plans of action for the dust devils that get going on my way to altitude. I'm planning for the winds I didn't jump in that happened anyway. Ones strong enough to pick up the guy at Perris 15 years ago and kill him. If there is enough wind to cause a me a similar problem, there certainly might be enough to inflate a reserve. I'll be unhooking the RSL as I heard towards the main (or am gettig dragged by it). You go right ahead and chop with an RSL attached, it'll probably be fine. But I'll simply obviate the need to have to hook knife my reserve on the ground, as I'm being dragged by it, by simply disconnnecting the RSL. You can have it good, fast, or cheap: pick two. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nate_1979 9 #22 August 9, 2005 If a dust devil is picking you up, you probably dont have the time to sit there and think "hmm, i'd better disconnect my rsl before I cut away this main thats getting ready to take me for a ride right now" ... ... Just a hunch... FGF #??? I miss the sky... There are 10 types of people in the world... those who understand binary and those who don't. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest #23 August 9, 2005 QuoteIf a dust devil is picking you up, you probably dont have the time to sit there and think "hmm, i'd better disconnect my rsl before I cut away this main thats getting ready to take me for a ride right now" ... ... Just a hunch... okay, if I'm being drug into the air, chopping will probably happen automatically/instinct/and that doesn't take long. But if I think of it I'll still unhook the RSL first if I'm not airborne. Maybe this'll clear things up - when I buy my own gear I'l be getting a Vector with Skyhook. The reserve will be following the main out of the rig. Also, I spoke with my AFF/I about the whole ground chop subject some weeks ago. In his 25 years of jumping he's never had to ground chop. He said he's had to run towards the main to keep it from inflating it a couple times, but that took care of it even in very high winds. You can have it good, fast, or cheap: pick two. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
