Jessica 0 #1 June 1, 2003 Guys, please please please visually inspect each other's gear all the time, ESPECIALLY on the ride up. Just eyeball everyone, make sure the obvious stuff is attached, routed, and tucked away. I smugly thought I already did this, but it's an easy thing to forget to do. Yesterday on the ride to altitude, I was sitting diagonally across from a friend at the tail end of the King Air. I was facing him. I was just hanging out, eyes half-closed, feeling the wind from the open door, not really aware of anything going on in the place, occasionally checking my own handles. My friend and I discussed separation and opening altitudes, gossipped a little, gave each other hand slaps. I was looking right at him. We got to about 10 grand, and my friend asked someone else for a pin check. She started to pull up his reserve flap, and my friend said, "Oh, just the main, I don't need the reserve pin checked." She didn't hear and yanked up the reserve flap anyway, and my friend and I rolled our eyes at each other. She slapped him on the back, pins OK, and he turned back around. And she said, "Um, hey, your chest strap." His chest strap was not only not fastened, but was tucked back behind his rig. There was nothing across his chest but white T-shirt. And looking right at him for a 20-minute plane ride, I hadn't noticed. I am a complete asshole. I'll try not to be one in the future.Skydiving is for cool people only Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #2 June 1, 2003 You learned something, right? (Bet you never miss looking at someone's chest strap again...) Your friend learned something, right? (Bet he never forgets his chest strap again...) You are sharing your error (and his) to teach the rest of us something, right ? ( musta been sorta hard to put it out here) Nah...not an asshole. Human, yes...asshole, NO! Thanks for sharing that, Jess. I eyeball everyone I can see - it's a concious thing - and have been known to say something if I see something odd. Jim Wallace taught me about that one day when he thought I had misrouted my chest strap - I hadn't, it just looked weird - but I have never forgotten to look at others since then. Appreciate it, Jess! And thanks for the unknown jumper who gives complete checks... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveMonkey 0 #3 June 1, 2003 Why can't people get a flightline check before getting in the plane? It's easy to do and takes all of 30 seconds.____________________ Say no to subliminal messages Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chuckakers 425 #4 June 1, 2003 Don't feel too bad, it happens more than anyone wants to admit. I've seen... a rigger on the plane with mis-routed 3-rings... improperly fastened chest straps ON THE PLANE... same thing with a few legstraps... The list goes on and on, but there's one thing for sure. A COMPLETE gear check before boarding and again before exit will solve this problem 99.9999% of the time. Or you can use my personal method. Before boarding, I check my own gear including main and reserve pins and flaps. Before boarding and again before exit, I always check for 3 rings, 3 handles and 3 connections (3-rings properly assembled, 3 handles in position, and 3 connections properly threaded). This is easy to do when wearing your rig. It's been working for me for 18 years without a miss. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aero04 0 #5 June 1, 2003 I had the same thing happen to me about a year ago, except my misrouted cheststrap was noticed on the ground before boarding. He saw the problem and pulled me aside and told me there was a problem with my rig and told me to find it. Of course, I didn't see it so he pulled on the cheststrap and loosened all the way up. I am now very careful in my gear check and I look at others for potential problems before boarding and on the way up. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jerry81 10 #6 June 1, 2003 A few weeks ago I caught a guy with ~100 jumps (for some reason still officially on student status) walking to the plane with his large metal reserve handle twisted under the harness. I saw him get a gear check before that. People miss stuff, so it's good to watch out for others as well as yourself. But I do want to ask about something; how in hell can you misroute a chest strap? I've wondered about it a couple of times while I was gearing up, but I just can't think of a way to do it. Does anyone have pictures? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aero04 0 #7 June 1, 2003 QuoteBut I do want to ask about something; how in hell can you misroute a chest strap? Quote Frankly, carelessness. QuoteI've wondered about it a couple of times while I was gearing up, but I just can't think of a way to do it. Does anyone have pictures? Sorry, no camera, but here's what I did. Please excuse the incorrect terminology. I routed the chest strap throught the buckle, then DID NOT route it back through the buckle over the slide bar, then secured the excess over my chest with the rubber bands. That way when you pull on the strap, there is nothing to keep it from sliding when pressure is exerted on it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites jerry81 10 #8 June 1, 2003 Quote I routed the chest strap throught the buckle, then DID NOT route it back through the buckle over the slide bar, then secured the excess over my chest with the rubber bands. That way when you pull on the strap, there is nothing to keep it from sliding when pressure is exerted on it. Thanks, I thought it was more complicated than that. But talk about carelessness... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites jtval 0 #9 June 2, 2003 Jess, GOOD THING you had someone else lok at your friend too! That one thing I will ALWAYS look at! Be glad you can feel bad about this. it couldve been worse! thanks for bringing this to our attention again! I have missed a few things in my time too. I'm not trying to sound holier then thou but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE look over your gear. I do this order 3-rings 3 handles 3- straps and then the 3 accesories Helmet goggles alti- once after we were talking abou t someone getting on the plane w/o his rig I forgot my altimeter! I jumped without it! I was doing FF with a few who had protracks (along with myself) so I used them as refernece! was that smart? probly not. but I know if I feel low! I landed dead center. thing is...we all mess up at sometime thats why we need to look out for eachother!My photos My Videos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites masher 1 #10 June 2, 2003 I work from the top down. I check pins before I put on the rig. Then after its on: Helmet, goggles, alti. Three rings. Routed correctly. Chest strap: I pull on it to make sure it won't slip Cutaway: check that the velcro is velcroed Reserve: Check that the velcro is velcroed and that the spare cable is free BOC: check that the handle is free Leg straps: tight and the ends are stowed. This is in addition to checking 3rings, handles and stuff when the rig is on the ground (not on me).-- Arching is overrated - Marlies Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites jtval 0 #11 June 2, 2003 lol I just learned the circle of three's! I added the accessories to the list however you do it, ,do it! and then check everyone else I dont force pin checks but I will always look at the circle of threesMy photos My Videos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites smooth 0 #12 June 2, 2003 I think Vallerina is looking for you http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_view_flat;post=476680;page=1;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;mh=25; Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Dougjumper 0 #13 June 2, 2003 I wouldnt say that word about yourself. Like everyone is saying U learned something right. This goes along with my post in gear checks. Be Cool and inprovise, adapt, overcome to any situation. But dont down yourself. Just keep on Trucking.... The glass is half full or half empty doesn't matter. Let go and have the Lord guide your path. He will take care of it all. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Fireflyer 0 #14 June 2, 2003 i'd say you were a winner in this situation...not an asshole! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites nightjumps 1 #15 June 2, 2003 1. Check of Threes is good, but if you missed it the first time, chances are good you'll miss it a second time... nothing beats a good old fashioned "Gear Check" by someone else before boarding. 2. My old Instructor (Curly Roe) beat on us about doing "Secret Agent" Gear Checks. He made a game out of it. On the ride up, secretly check everyone else's rigs, if you find something wrong on someone, they owe'd you a beer. By sharing wih everyone - not the asshole. We all learn, learning is knowledge, knowledge is what keeps us alive. Sharing is good. You did good to share. Thank you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites jumpgod 0 #16 June 2, 2003 it kinda goes 2 ways. and i've heard it from people 2 ways. 1) you are responsible for "yourself". it's "your" skydive. 2) watch out for others in your group. now, how many times do people look out for me. i say this as kindly as possible, usually, NONE. typically, i have to ask for a pin check (which i prefer) and ask for an equipment double check (risers, et. al.). now, that's bold but it's the way it is. do i look out for others, YES. i'll do a visual check of others around me before exit but when things get busy on jump run, do i forget, sometimes. this is because it is "MY" skydive and i'm looking out for "myself". jg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites billdo 0 #17 June 2, 2003 I was walking back from the landing area at Perris and happened to see what looked like a pullup cord tied around another jumpers reserve handle. I said, "What's that?" He looked down at it, didn't flinch, and said, "That's a pullup cord tied around my reserve handle." He basically realized his mistake, but stayed calm about it - the skydive was over and he had just jumped a single parachute system, essentially. Apparently he had just travelled on an airline with his rig and tied the pullup cord aound the reserve handle and main lift web to prevent an accidental reserve deployment while in transit. 1. No one on the plane obviously noticed it. 2. He had a 300-way patch on his jumpsuit. 3. The other jumper he had just jumped with had a 300-way patch on her jumpsuit. I couldn't believe it. I thought that was just a skydiving "urban legend" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites indyz 1 #18 June 2, 2003 Yesterday as we piled into the Otter for a 7-ish way, I noticed the guy in front of me had his main flap open. The load was full and I couldn't easily get to it, so I made a mental note to check it when we got on our knees to get ready for jump run. Well, I forgot. I was up on my knees checking my gear before the door opened when I heard someone yell, "We've got an open container." Shit. I felt like crap for not remembering to check it as soon as the jumper got up. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites jtval 0 #19 June 3, 2003 in a situation like that you may want to say it outloud. "hey man, your flap is open! when we get some room have the guy next to you check it" b/c then EVERYONE will know about itMy photos My Videos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Slowfaller 0 #20 June 3, 2003 I totally agree w/ Michele on this Jess. You're not an asshole but someone who's pointed out something very important by posting this. I know that whem I'm jumping tomorrow, I will be sure to look at chest straps more than usual. Just buy him a beer and maybe a box of Poppy Cock (which I still find in my car) and check it next time; everyone else's too. Chris --"Someday you will die and somehow somethings going to steal your carbon" -MM 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. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0 Go To Topic Listing
jerry81 10 #8 June 1, 2003 Quote I routed the chest strap throught the buckle, then DID NOT route it back through the buckle over the slide bar, then secured the excess over my chest with the rubber bands. That way when you pull on the strap, there is nothing to keep it from sliding when pressure is exerted on it. Thanks, I thought it was more complicated than that. But talk about carelessness... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jtval 0 #9 June 2, 2003 Jess, GOOD THING you had someone else lok at your friend too! That one thing I will ALWAYS look at! Be glad you can feel bad about this. it couldve been worse! thanks for bringing this to our attention again! I have missed a few things in my time too. I'm not trying to sound holier then thou but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE look over your gear. I do this order 3-rings 3 handles 3- straps and then the 3 accesories Helmet goggles alti- once after we were talking abou t someone getting on the plane w/o his rig I forgot my altimeter! I jumped without it! I was doing FF with a few who had protracks (along with myself) so I used them as refernece! was that smart? probly not. but I know if I feel low! I landed dead center. thing is...we all mess up at sometime thats why we need to look out for eachother!My photos My Videos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masher 1 #10 June 2, 2003 I work from the top down. I check pins before I put on the rig. Then after its on: Helmet, goggles, alti. Three rings. Routed correctly. Chest strap: I pull on it to make sure it won't slip Cutaway: check that the velcro is velcroed Reserve: Check that the velcro is velcroed and that the spare cable is free BOC: check that the handle is free Leg straps: tight and the ends are stowed. This is in addition to checking 3rings, handles and stuff when the rig is on the ground (not on me).-- Arching is overrated - Marlies Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jtval 0 #11 June 2, 2003 lol I just learned the circle of three's! I added the accessories to the list however you do it, ,do it! and then check everyone else I dont force pin checks but I will always look at the circle of threesMy photos My Videos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smooth 0 #12 June 2, 2003 I think Vallerina is looking for you http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_view_flat;post=476680;page=1;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;mh=25; Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dougjumper 0 #13 June 2, 2003 I wouldnt say that word about yourself. Like everyone is saying U learned something right. This goes along with my post in gear checks. Be Cool and inprovise, adapt, overcome to any situation. But dont down yourself. Just keep on Trucking.... The glass is half full or half empty doesn't matter. Let go and have the Lord guide your path. He will take care of it all. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fireflyer 0 #14 June 2, 2003 i'd say you were a winner in this situation...not an asshole! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nightjumps 1 #15 June 2, 2003 1. Check of Threes is good, but if you missed it the first time, chances are good you'll miss it a second time... nothing beats a good old fashioned "Gear Check" by someone else before boarding. 2. My old Instructor (Curly Roe) beat on us about doing "Secret Agent" Gear Checks. He made a game out of it. On the ride up, secretly check everyone else's rigs, if you find something wrong on someone, they owe'd you a beer. By sharing wih everyone - not the asshole. We all learn, learning is knowledge, knowledge is what keeps us alive. Sharing is good. You did good to share. Thank you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpgod 0 #16 June 2, 2003 it kinda goes 2 ways. and i've heard it from people 2 ways. 1) you are responsible for "yourself". it's "your" skydive. 2) watch out for others in your group. now, how many times do people look out for me. i say this as kindly as possible, usually, NONE. typically, i have to ask for a pin check (which i prefer) and ask for an equipment double check (risers, et. al.). now, that's bold but it's the way it is. do i look out for others, YES. i'll do a visual check of others around me before exit but when things get busy on jump run, do i forget, sometimes. this is because it is "MY" skydive and i'm looking out for "myself". jg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billdo 0 #17 June 2, 2003 I was walking back from the landing area at Perris and happened to see what looked like a pullup cord tied around another jumpers reserve handle. I said, "What's that?" He looked down at it, didn't flinch, and said, "That's a pullup cord tied around my reserve handle." He basically realized his mistake, but stayed calm about it - the skydive was over and he had just jumped a single parachute system, essentially. Apparently he had just travelled on an airline with his rig and tied the pullup cord aound the reserve handle and main lift web to prevent an accidental reserve deployment while in transit. 1. No one on the plane obviously noticed it. 2. He had a 300-way patch on his jumpsuit. 3. The other jumper he had just jumped with had a 300-way patch on her jumpsuit. I couldn't believe it. I thought that was just a skydiving "urban legend" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
indyz 1 #18 June 2, 2003 Yesterday as we piled into the Otter for a 7-ish way, I noticed the guy in front of me had his main flap open. The load was full and I couldn't easily get to it, so I made a mental note to check it when we got on our knees to get ready for jump run. Well, I forgot. I was up on my knees checking my gear before the door opened when I heard someone yell, "We've got an open container." Shit. I felt like crap for not remembering to check it as soon as the jumper got up. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jtval 0 #19 June 3, 2003 in a situation like that you may want to say it outloud. "hey man, your flap is open! when we get some room have the guy next to you check it" b/c then EVERYONE will know about itMy photos My Videos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slowfaller 0 #20 June 3, 2003 I totally agree w/ Michele on this Jess. You're not an asshole but someone who's pointed out something very important by posting this. I know that whem I'm jumping tomorrow, I will be sure to look at chest straps more than usual. Just buy him a beer and maybe a box of Poppy Cock (which I still find in my car) and check it next time; everyone else's too. Chris --"Someday you will die and somehow somethings going to steal your carbon" -MM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
