How to properly check chest straps

[AggieDave 6]

Besides looking at them, there is one method that I've seen that is fairly fool proof.

Grab at the MLW on either end of the chest strap (both MLW) and pull both to the side.

This works great in catching misrouted chest straps. Even the ones that look like they're routed properly but are not. For example, if a student routes a chest strap completely backwards (through the top part of the lock and out the bottom). If you grab the chest strap and pull out (as a lot of people do) it can bind enough that it will feel routed, BUT it may not have enough friction through the lock to keep the chest strap there during deployment.

Alright. Any other instructors or jumpers out there have a good method (besides the obvious of just looking at it)?

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[BlueEyedMonster 0]

I just hook my thumb behind the middle of my chest-strap and pull out. If its not there, or comes out of the buckle... There is a problem. I do this every time I check my handles on the ground and in the plane.

[AggieDave 6]

That's why I mention that proceedure and give an example in which that test fails due to a certain way to misroute the cheststrap.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[andy2 0]

How is a visual not sufficient? Why do people tug on the chest strap? (an honest question, Im not saying what experienced folks do is wrong, its just that it seems like a thing that you could examine visually more accurately...)

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in token rhyme suggesting rhythm...

[KenKnight 0]

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How is a visual not sufficient? Why do people tug on the chest strap?

Because sometimes you see what you expect to see, instead of what you are actually looking at. I give mine a good tug while checking my 3's before exit.

_______________
D28695 PoPs #9237
"Mix ignorance with arrogance at low altitude and the results are almost guaranteed to be spectacular"
— Bruce Landsberg

[Kris 0]

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Because sometimes you see what you expect to see, instead of what you are actually looking at. I give mine a good tug while checking my 3's before exit.

I couldn't have said it better myself. I'll even look, then tug, on the chest straps of my friends on my dive to make sure theirs are properly routed as well.

Also, when I have a Cessna full of IAD students I follow this same procedure every time: At 1000' their seatbelts come off & get stowed, their radios get turned on, I tug on all of their chest-straps, then I give the last frontal gear-check to the student in the #1 spot. When the next student gets into the #1 position, they get their last frontal check as well.

Sky, Muff Bro, Rodriguez Bro, and
Bastion of Purity and Innocence!™

[sducoach 0]

Great advise Ken.

Blues,

J.E.

James 4:8

[KenKnight 0]

Evidently my coach had a similar method, but he'd harped on both looking and physically checking each piece of the gear before each jump so I caught it.

_______________
D28695 PoPs #9237
"Mix ignorance with arrogance at low altitude and the results are almost guaranteed to be spectacular"
— Bruce Landsberg

[sducoach 0]

Blues,

J.E.

James 4:8

[Fireflyer 0]

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Grab at the MLW on either end of the chest strap (both MLW) and pull both to the side.
)

"MLW"? (newbie here)..the metal links attaching to the shoulder straps?

[Fireflyer 0]

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I give mine a good tug while checking my 3's before exit.

3's? - is that the hackey, cutaway, and reserve handles?

[sundevil777 102]

MLW = Main lift web = the vertical part of your harness that takes all of the load on each side.

People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

[wmw999 2,452]

3 points of attachment: leg straps and chest strap
3 rings on each riser
3 handles -- main, cutaway, reserve

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[Fireflyer 0]

thanks wmw and sundevil!