Nasty Malfunction

[PhreeZone 20]

In a streamer configuration like that, the only way the RSL should'nt work is if it was disconnected. As soon as the left riser was released from the 3 ring, the drag (since it was enought to stand you up) is enough that it would have activated the RSL and then the reserve. A quick way to tell if the RSL was involved is to look for a bend in the ripcord cable where the snatch force yanks on the the cable to pull the pin.
There are things like the RSL breaking etc that might lead to the RSL not working, but I've never heard of a broken RSL.
If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will....

[billvon 2,990]

>I asked some of the guys about the RSL not activating and was told that >perhaps there was not enough tension on the left riser because of the streamer.
If that were the case, your main would not have separated. The RSL would have kept it attached to your reserve cable. This almost never happens, and it would be extremely obvious to you if that was the problem - you would not see or feel the main disconnect.
There are several possibilities to explain what you experienced:
1. The RSL _did_ function as designed, but since time compresses during events like this, your perception was that your reserve did not open until you pulled the reserve handle.
2. The RSL was disconnected.
3. The RSL failed i.e. just plain tore in half (very unlikely.)
4. The RSL was rigged incorrectly (also unlikely - it's hard to rig most RSL's incorrectly.)
-bill von

[Remster 30]

I'd like to add #5 (allthough its a combo of your # 2 and 4 Bill)
It could have been disconnected (or perhaps a better way to say it is It could have not been connected at the last reserve repack) at the reserve pin side.
Remster
Muff 914

[Airwolf 0]

Quote

There are several possibilities to explain what you experienced:
1. The RSL _did_ function as designed, but since time compresses during events like this, your perception was that your reserve did not open until you pulled the reserve handle.
2. The RSL was disconnected.
3. The RSL failed i.e. just plain tore in half (very unlikely.)
4. The RSL was rigged incorrectly (also unlikely - it's hard to rig most RSL's incorrectly.)

OK...the verdict is in. I talked to Tom G. who has my rig and he says that the RSL was not connected. The RSL was with the container, not with the main. Also, the reserve rip cord was completely straight; no signs of any stress.
So much for being sure that my RSL was connected. Actually, I'm kinda glad it turned out this way, even if I have egg on my face for being so sure and then being wrong. It was not equipment failure; I think we are all glad to hear that.
Thanks everyone for your input and theories. I was very lucky and am coming away from this with a greater appreciation of the importance of pre-flight gear checks and safety awareness during the dive.
Denis

[nacmacfeegle 0]

Just glad you made it down safely man. Lessons learned and all that........
Cya
D
Gravity Rat # 37
Remember, we can do everything right, and still get hurt.

[scottbre 0]

Numbers and superstition have no more importance than a person assigns to them....

Quote

tell me you walk UNDER ladders!

I do, as long as someone isn't on the ladder, cause that is just dangerous for the person on the ladder. I've also purposely shattered mirrors for art projects, and we had a completely black cat as a pet when I was in high school. Turn off the world before you come to bed.

[rgoper 0]

this particular jump reminds me of an incident down at SDSL in Rosharon, Texas. there was a freefly load up, and one of the sky divers handed another sky diver (staff member) his hackey at 10K SURPRISE! the poor fellow that caused the jumper to deploy at 10K felt awful, and wrote a letter, that to this day is framed in manifest. imagine that, someone dumping you, i don't know how i'd react. hope it never happens!
Richard
"Gravity Is My Friend"