getting bruises from gear

[bigkid 0]

I am 5ft 9 220 lbs and have been having problems with getting bruises on the inside of my legs from the buckles or straps on the student rig.

Has anyone else experienced the same problems or does anyone have any suggestions what is causing this or how to avoid it?

No one seems to think it's a big deal but the bruises are dark purple and black and are very painful.

Help!

[aneblett 0]

I have seen this before although I don't know what is to be done about it. I have even had the odd one from a harder opening on a student rig and I don't bruise easily. Maybe someone else willhave better advice to give but it wasn't treated as a big deal either at my dz.

age

S.E.X. party #2

..It is far worse to live with fear, than to die confronting it.

[mikkey 0]

Very common my friend (especially when you are ion the heavier side). I assume you will also experience bruises around your upper arm / shoulder area.
You are jumping in student gear - it is not exactly fitted to your measurements and it is not build for comfort - it is build to accommodate a lot of students and for durability.
Problem will go away when you get your own gear (if it is fitted correctly for you). Have fun

---------------------------------------------------------
When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

[skymama 37]

The whole time I was on student gear I had huge bruises on my inner thighs and biceps. It was so ugly! But, then I was kind of proud when people asked me who was beating me up, and I got to say I got the bruises from skydiving. They'll go away as you downsize and get a rig that fits you. Now I just get bruises because I'm such a klutz in the plane, but at least they're not from my gear!

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

[Clownburner 0]

I'm not much smaller than you and the student gear does that to me a lot. I've been told 'get your own gear' but in the meantime I've found keeping the leg straps REAL tight and making VERY sure you have a good body position during deployment helps an awful lot.

I actually do the "Wave, reach, --hold and get stable--, pull" now as my deployment sequence, which helps a lot. You just have to start a little high.

Of course, I got slammed again last weekend for not coming out of the track long enough before throwing out, but hey, I figure as long as I walk away I'm still learning.

7CP#1 | BTR#2 | Payaso en fuego Rodriguez
"I want hot chicks in my boobies!"- McBeth

[Jib 0]

I'm around your size and my openings got much softer when I got a real jumpsuit to slow me down.

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the depth of his depravity sickens me.
-- Jerry Falwell, People v. Larry Flynt

[dreamsville 0]

If the straps don't fit you in some way, they may slide around a little bit to an unnatural position that could change at opening time. This can cause some of the marks.

When you get your own gear, see if you want to have a bungee put in between the leg straps to better hold them in place. This will be more imporrtant in free-flying, but almost always will help the harness stay in the right spot. Check it out.
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I don't drink during the day, so I don't know what it is about this airline. I keep falling out the door of the plane.

Harry, FB #4143

[DYEVOUT 0]

I'm a low timer, so take from this what you will - but I learned the hard way to TIGHTEN leg straps. I had a student Vector hurt me pretty bad.

Sometimes my leg wants to "go to sleep" in the plane, but that's better than crotch slammage IMHO

----------------=8^)----------------------
"I think that was the wrong tennis court."

[oldnewbie 0]

I'm about the same size as you, and I just got off student status. For about 8 jumps I was getting bruises on the arms and legs. They were so bad that I almost took some time off during my training to let them heal. Then I tightened up the leg straps and it seemed to me that the openings were much better. I haven't had any bruises since that time. I'm not sure if this was due to being in the correct position when it opened (I maybe (am) more stable now then before, since i only had 10 jumps at the time of the bruises) or to the leg straps being tightened. I was also having some hard openings at the same time as the bruises. I don't know if that was from my position, or from the packing. I do know that i changed packers at the same time as the softer openings. I also know that I am in a much better position upon opening also. Hope this helps

[Rdutch 0]

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The whole time I was on student gear I had huge bruises on my inner thighs!

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Are you sure it was from skydiving?

Ray
Small and fast what every girl dreams of!

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[Yoshi 0]

MY THOUGHTS EXACTLY i JSUT DIDNT HAVE THE JIBBIES TO ASK:)
-YOSHI

_________________________________________
this space for rent.

[riggerrob 643]

Most bruises are caused by loose harnesses.
Start by pulling those leg straps snug. If walking to the plane is a bit difficult, then that is the price you will have to pay.

Also ask your instructors if you can shorten the main lift webs, because if your MLWs are too long, no amount of tightening will make your leg straps fit properly.

One trick I like to play with tandem students is to stand behind them and pick them up by the leg straps. This trick serves two functions. First it snugs the leg straps up in their crotch, where they are supposed to be during opening shock. Secondly, picking them up by the leg straps gives them a feel for how the harness will feel during the canopy ride.

[jumpgod 0]

totally, i understand. i've had friends get out of the sport because of this.

if you're going to become a serious up jumper, go get a custom rigg fitted. get measured up and get the custom fitted container of your choice custom made and you'll avoid the bumps and bruises.

jg