tony509 0 #1 February 3, 2003 Hi! First I am glad to have come across this site - lots of good information out here. OK, here is my situation - I took a few years off skydiving and just got back into it. In the 2 years between I have make some great progress in the gym. But adding extra muscle tends to decrease flexibility. On my refresher training everything seemed cool. Then when I went on the coach jump I was having problems reaching my BOC deployment handle on my practice pulls - yikes. You can imagine the terror I started to feel. When it came time to deploy I stretched hard, and in the process became a little unstable, but managed to deploy nevertheless. But deploying should be very easy and natural - not something you have to put effort into. I have since been stretching and am finding it easier to deploy with a BOC setup. However I am about to buy my first rig and am considering going with a leg deployment system as opposed to BOC. My logic being that the deployment process should be extremely easy and natural. If BOC causes me to have to really REACH for it, then I am probably better off with a leg deployment system that would definitely be easier to grasp. Any thoughts? Tony Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dumpster 0 #2 February 3, 2003 First let me say Welcome Back! I don't have a whole lot of experience, but the trend seems to be going away from ROL, due to bridle exposure etc. And if you freefly, this becomes even more of a hazard. I would continue with stretching excercises. If you do a search, you may find something on stretching, and there is an article in Parachutist on stretching, also, published a year or so ago- Blue Ones, Easy Does It Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenister 0 #3 February 3, 2003 well my (limited) understanding is that a leg deployment is a really really bad idea if your going to be Freeflying. I had my rig switched over when i bought it beacuse i knew i would be freeflying soon so...i guess it depends on what your doing, but i would focus on my flexability..i dont know anyone that recommended a leg deploy vs a BOC when i was asking the rig i ended up buying....____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,070 #4 February 3, 2003 >However I am about to buy my first rig and am considering going with a > leg deployment system as opposed to BOC. If it feels more comfortable, and you have an easier time reaching it, then go for it. Be aware that if you freefly, you will have to take exceptional care of the velcro on the bridle, which not all people are willing to do (i.e. you'll have to replace it very often.) But when it comes right down to it, being able to reach your main deployment handle easily is very important. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rocketfeuille 0 #5 February 3, 2003 Wow, Tony. Too ripped to reach your BOC? I work out, but I've never had that problem... What's impeding your reach? Your lats or your biceps? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Auryn 0 #6 February 3, 2003 ROL has another drawback that has not been mentioned yet. If you accidentally twist your leg strap when you put on your rig and dont catch it, you will have a pilot chute in tow malfuction.. the bridle will be unable to extract the bag from the container. The mainainace mentinioned eariler will be a serious hassle as well.. trust me.. I spent a lot of $$ maintaining velcro on a vector II... it was less than it was worth. not being able to reach your BOC may have been just as much a part of tension from the skydive as anything else.... relax your whole body, become one with the air, and you may find it to be easier to get to that pesky handle.. ROL is old technology and may be a bad idea. Blue Skies Bryan Klindworth A-33374 251 jumps, refuses to get a better license. DAMN the night jumps, they dont happen often enough. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tony509 0 #7 February 3, 2003 I am able to reach the BOC deployment handle, but it is just not as easy or natural as I would like. It is probably a combination of the two (lats and biceps), although I suspect more lats than anything. In the past two years I put on about 20 pounds in the gym. I am 5’11” and about 230 pounds. I guess another thing to consider is that I have been using rental gear, so it may not be sized to me ideally. I am looking to get my own gear soon. I am leaning toward the leg deployment setup (ROL) as this would pretty much eliminate any difficulties on reaching for the handle. I know that the leg deployment setup (ROL) is not as ideal because there is more bridal exposed. But I think that ultimately having a very comfortable and natural deployment probably outweighs the exposed bridal issue. I welcome anyone else’s point of view. Tony Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bluepill 0 #8 February 3, 2003 I broke my right shoulder 2 years before I started jumping snapped the ball clean in two. Although I did not need a pin, my movement is restricted to less than 90%. I used to get alot of pain in my shoulder when I first started and one time my position was so poor at deployment I flipped over and dumped on my back (not good). When it came to buying a rig I spoke to the guy I was buying from and told him my problems. Basically he said similar things to what this forum has said, I.E BOC tends to be much safer than LEG. But what he did do is have me try on different sizes and types of rigs. I was very suprised at the difference a well fitting rig can have and have never had any pain or problems deploying BOC on my own rig. So my advice is try on different rigs when you come to buy, or better still have one made to measure for your bulging dimensions!! It does make a difference. One thing though, I wouldent buy a leg deployment without at least trying it... you could also have some other rock on your frame hindering leg deployment Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #9 February 3, 2003 Quotehaving a very comfortable and natural deployment probably outweighs the exposed bridal issue. I welcome anyone else’s point of view Yes and no. People have drifted away from ROL due to the reasons mentioned above (exposed bridle, etc). At some of the speeds reached in modern skydiving, a premature deployment doesn't just suck, it could kill you. This isn't purely about freeflying either, think about the speeds some people reach when they're one of the last ones out on a 20 way and are diving the formation. I'm what you could consider to be a big boy, I'm 6'1" 255lbs, have 17 1/2" biceps (cold) and have a 51" chest (in other words, like yourself, I'm an avid weight lifter), but I still use a BOC and have had no problems with it. As what has been said before, get a rig that fits, that'll make a big difference AND stretch, you'll be able to get it with some work. As a weight lifter you should be stretching everyday anyways (it promotes strength and muscle growth), so add some stretches to your daily routine to help with shoulder flexability and you'll be set.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #10 February 4, 2003 If you can't reach a BOC... ...how can I put this... Do ya use toilet paper??!! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smak 0 #11 February 4, 2003 bridges and hindu pushups might sort you out. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
