Katzeye 0 #1 July 10, 2003 I was just pondering all the chest strap incidents we've racked up over the year. It seems to me with the types of jumps that are getting more popular (hybrids, etc) that require hanging onto a chest strap, maybe manufacturers should start considering developing another type of linkage. I was thinking something like the hooked (not threaded) leg straps. Thoughts? Comments? Discussions? LA* Is a chicken omelette redundant? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
payback462 0 #2 July 10, 2003 QuoteI was thinking something like the hooked (not threaded) leg straps you mean like b-12s Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
darkwing 5 #3 July 10, 2003 I think this has been suggested in one of the relevant threads, and I think it is worth considering. The hardware needs to be considerably lighter weight than a B-12 snap though. I owned a rig that had a quick-ejector as the chest strap connector. That is also too big also for modern gear. -- Jeff My Skydiving History Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jimbo 0 #4 July 10, 2003 QuoteI was thinking something like the hooked (not threaded) leg straps. Why? Is this really necessary? It seems to me that a properly maintained chest strap system is fine, even with the biggest of skydivers hanging off of them. I don't think we need a new chest strap, I think we need less complacent skydivers. My $0.02 USD - Jim"Like" - The modern day comma Good bye, my friends. You are missed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
councilman24 37 #5 July 10, 2003 I think a better option would be hardware like para gear #H428. A buckle like used on rock climbing harness waist bands. Solid three bar slide adapter used with the webbing threaded through and folded back and through the first slot. Red paint visable indicates a misrouted strap. I trust my life to this connection every time I climb. This would still require appropriate use but with appropriate design would resist slipping. I have climbing/rescue harnesses with both 1" and 1 22/32 inch versions. No moving parts that need maintenance, not much more cost that the stamped friction adapters now used, and stronger. The harness designers would have to comment on whether it might be too slip resistant for a skydiving harness, where some minor slip on the leg straps is actually good in highly loaded conditions. TerryI'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blahr 0 #6 July 10, 2003 IS this type of climbing/rescue harness closure easy to remove? If you hit the drink, you need to be able to get out of your gear in a hurry. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crapflinger2000 1 #7 July 10, 2003 Idaknow... the chest strap thread through can't get much more simple than it is.... 1) put on rig 2) cinch down legstraps 3) thread chest-strap 4) Get on plane 5) Prior to exit (and prior to boarding): - main, cutaway, reserve handles in place and pullable (I can save my life) - legstrap and chest-strap thread throughs properly routed (I won't fall out of harness) I don't get it... how hard is this? Why do so many people seem to have trouble putting on their rigs when it is the only thing that will save their life upon exit... edited to add: Looks like the main issue could be slippage? I don't really see this being an issue either, via proper use of keepers, and possibly a strategically place rubber band on the thread through itself... __________________________________________________ What would Vic Mackey do? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
councilman24 37 #8 July 10, 2003 It has one more thread through motion than a regular friction adapter and is a tighter fit. Taking it off is easier than putting it on. If someone wanted a bomb proof chest strap to be used as a gripper/handle I think the trade off would be fine. Besides, that's what a hook knife is for. Seriously I think that it could be as fast and maybe easier than a chest strap that is folded back.I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
councilman24 37 #9 July 10, 2003 I agree. It's easy. But I have caught myself once in 25 years in the airplane. Of course I'm getting senile. I wear a chest mount altimeter so my chest strap routine is more involved. I've caught probably between 5 and 10 on others over the years. Not counting student inspections where I've caught dozens. I don't know why some of these seem to be coming unthreaded in the air. I've done a lot of chest strap grip launches doing RW and never had a problem. But, IF it is a problem the "buckle" I suggest would probably be more secure. Again the webbing and the buckle would have to be matched. This would still be one piece of hardware also, not a snap and ring. And the ring or snap would have to be adjustable. A mix on the airplane would be an issue. On the current one if you cann't see hardware is isn't right. On the climbing one if you CAN see hardware (usually painted red) it isn't right.I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crapflinger2000 1 #10 July 10, 2003 Yeah, I follow... I am not saying it will never happen to me, but with my amped out gear checks (which double in intensity when I put a video helmet on), it seems unlikely.... I can't say I've heard of them un-threading in freefall... MAYBE if you had stainless and a big guy hanging on you... for what it's worth, the attachment shows a rubber band trick (that is pretty common knowledge I'll bet...). Takes the place of those tensioning spring clip thingamajigs.... seems to work OK... doubt it'll work w/ stainless though __________________________________________________ What would Vic Mackey do? RBT.bmp Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveMonkey 0 #11 July 10, 2003 What about a seatbelt style one (with a plastic cover over the release button). Kinda like the new bonehead helmet release.____________________ Say no to subliminal messages Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #12 July 11, 2003 Something I've been thinking about since my first hybrid....And now I'm just thinking out loud, pre coffee.... Why doesn't someone come up with a design of gripper for hybrids, that could be retrofitted to a rig by say, adding a strap across the mudflaps/liftwebs/chest rings, fastened via quick snaps/fastex clips or similar. Or worn under a rig, maybe like a climbing chest harness. You don't have hangers on your chest strap and they are less likely to grab a handle, if the 'proper grip' is a different colour/design etc....Maybe even something similar to a belly camera mount, but with a big handle instead of the metal work. Downside, the design must not interfere with the normal operation of the rig, it can't impede access to your handles, and it can't nip or crush any housings, it should be easy to ditch, and it should be cheap. Or is it not such a big issue?....-------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
councilman24 37 #13 July 11, 2003 Another thread, I think in incidents, said that a properly routed chest strap came undone. I've never heard of that before, but I suppose if some one is hanging on it with little pressure it could work through. I don't think it's a problem but was offering a possible improvement. I doubt that stainless makes a lot of difference in this light weight friction adaptor. I suppose we'll see if it continues. I thought of an alternate handle also. Ten way speed star teams used to (still do) put extra handles all over, usually on leg straps or jumpsuits. Haven't thought of a good design that wouldn't be just as well performed by a more slip resistant chest strap.I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pubwoof 0 #14 July 12, 2003 How about some sort of hybrid gripper system being incorporated into the jumpsuit instead. That way, the design of the chest strap can remain dedicated to its primary function of keeping your rig on. Having an extra strap on the rig would mean an extra step in getting out of your rig quickly when needed, regardless of how quick the snaps might be. Just some more out loud thinking is all. The glass isn't always half-full OR half-empty. Sometimes, the glass is just too damn big. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mouth 0 #15 July 12, 2003 My new Odyssey does not have the same turned back chest strap that my Mirage has. The chest strap is flat all the way to the end in the Javelin. Although I have not noticed it slipping YET there is the potential for a heavy hanger to unthread my chest strap during a hybrid. -- Hot Mama At least you know where you stand even if it is in a pile of shit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #16 July 14, 2003 Hey Lisa, Hooknswoop made a good post on this... http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=558599;search_string=chest%20strap;#558599 It doesn't slip.He fastens his Odessey chest strap the same way I do mine...-------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masher 1 #17 July 14, 2003 So if I read your pic correct, the free end goes under the chest strap, against your chest?-- Arching is overrated - Marlies Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #18 July 14, 2003 Yep, if there's enough slack I sometimes put an overhand knot on there too....-------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
