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Horseshoe mal's

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For the past week I've had dreams about horseshoe mals. I always dream someone who is jumping with me hold my BOC closed (how queer is that???) causing the main not to deploy corectly resulting in my having to resort to my emergency procedures.

So help me out here. Let's review the procedures for a horsehoe mal. What should I do and why? (Besided kick the sh*t out of the bastard who holds my BOC closed in my dreams.)

--
Hot Mama
At least you know where you stand even if it is in a pile of shit.

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For the past week I've had dreams about horseshoe mals. I always dream someone who is jumping with me hold my BOC closed (how queer is that???) causing the main not to deploy corectly resulting in my having to resort to my emergency procedures.

So help me out here. Let's review the procedures for a horsehoe mal. What should I do and why? (Besided kick the sh*t out of the bastard who holds my BOC closed in my dreams.)



That's GOD, telling you to change to a Pull out!B|
-----------------------------------
Mike Wheadon B-3715,HEMP#1
Higher Expectations for Modern Parachutists.

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I got through mine by cutting away and pulling the reserve. Just make sure that you clear the risers because there might not be enough drag to clear them.
Skydivers don't knock on Death's door. They ring the bell and runaway... It really pisses him off.
-The World Famous Tink. (I never heard of you either!!)
AA #2069 ASA#33 POPS#8808 Swooo 1717

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On bigair's web page there is a link to Brian's method of packing a pull out pilot, its different then I was shown, and when I showed it to 3 more experienced jumpers I got 2 "yup that looks better then How I do it show me again" and 1 "yup thats how I do it"

it's supposed to make it easier for the bridle to drag the pilot out of the pocket, lessening the chance of a horseshue if you get an out of order deployment

http://www.bigairsportz.com/pilot-chute.php

Good Judgment comes from experience...a lot of experience comes from bad
judgment.

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That is how I pack my bridle when I pack.

Mainly though I am asking what to do when you find yourself faced with a horseshoe mal. Then what?

--
Hot Mama
At least you know where you stand even if it is in a pile of shit.

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Mouth,

The best way to handle a horseshoe malfunction is to prevent it. Horseshoe malfunctions can be caused by both equipment and procedural problems.

Equipment:
Prevent broken closing loops: Replace your closing loops when showing signs of wear. Don't wait to break them when packing. They are easily replaced and cost little.
Prevent loose pins: Make sure you closing loop is the right length requiring some effort to close. Easily closing containers, wrong length loops, or changes in packing effciencies (humidity) make for loose pins, which can be jarred loose in the plane or on exit.

Eliminate Procedure Problems:
Disciplined pilot chute throw: Don't become lax and casually toss your pilot chute, causing the bridle to wrap around your arm.
Deploying with good body position: Prevent the pilot chute and bridle from wrapping on legs, feet, etc.

Horseshoe Malfunctions should be avoided at all cost. Don't plan on just reaching back and deploying your pilot chute and cutting away. The drag from the d-bag etc, may lift the bottom of your container off your back, placing it in unfamiliar position and possibly out of reach. The load is also likely to ball your pilot chute up in the pouch locking it inside.

Evaluate your plot chute packing, see if you can ball it up yanking up on the bridle. Don your rig, lay on your belly and have someone lift the bottom of your container off your back.... determine where it might go. What do you think will happen to your freefall position while you struggle to remove the mess??? A spin? A tumble?

Good luck, glad your thinking about what can go wrong and how to handle it. It is the downside of our sport.

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I packed my pilot chute as Brian suggested but when I got a little sloppy trying to make a bigway sunset...I monkey fisted the thing and had to go silver. I now pack the pilot chute "the old way" again and I make dam sure my closing loop is VERY TIGHT and also in good condition.

Just my experience.:)



Never Give up! Never Surrender!

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The best way to handle a horseshoe malfunction is to prevent it. Horseshoe malfunctions can be caused by both equipment and procedural problems.


i couldnt agree more. the 2 scariest mals to me are almost always due to complacency and poor gear maitenence. therefor im very dilligent about my closing loop and p/c / bridle packing.
oooo and knowing exactly what i would do in either
case on the ground helps alot.

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I got through mine by cutting away and pulling the reserve. Just make sure that you clear the risers because there might not be enough drag to clear them.



This is a dangerous myth. Bill Booth explained it awhile ago in a similar thread. You simply do not have the time to fool around with trying to clear your main risers after cutting away, you have more urgent business at hand, like pulling your reserve immediately. IF your main is loose, even in the bag, there's way more than enough drag to seperate the main risers from your harness.

Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

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