JonBonGraham 0 #1 March 12, 2005 Some of you out there might find this very amusing, but when I first heard of a Jesus String, I was convinced it was just another skydiving myth or an urban legend! That in itself may sound ridiculous to some of you, but not half as rediculous as the concept of having such a device on your container did to me! Anyway, I was wondering if one of these things did actually save anybodies life at any point. I don't suppose anybody has a picture of one on a rig, per chance? Oh, and much, MUCH respect to those of you who were jumping in the days of old, before the 3-ring, the RSL, etc.; You guys really were made of steel! Durham University Freefall Club Grounds For Divorce website (band I'm in) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #2 March 12, 2005 http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/gallery/imageFolio.cgi?action=view&link=Personal_Galleries/airtwardo&image=College_Demo_79.jpg&img=18&tt= http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/gallery/imageFolio.cgi?action=view&link=Personal_Galleries/airtwardo&image=jimpeaceff.jpg&img=36&tt= Quote Had one on the rig pictured~ You can barely see a red line above the reserve ripcord in the first pic. In the second pic~ look right above the reserve handle, you can see the extra channel the line is routed through. It was attached to the harness above the ripcord on the main lift web. The other side was on the top flap of the reserve. It was just another part of the practiced emergency procedures. Flip up the covers of the shot and a halfs... thumbs in the rings...knees bent back... (main ripcord in mouth...they were 25 bucks!) Pull the rings to cutaway... 'Crossdraw' to pull the reserve with the right hand while the left hand opened the container with the 'Last Chance Line'...as the atheists called it. Used it three times... twice with an MA1...and yes it was the 'string' and a couple elbow jabs the got things going... Third time I had a "Hot Dog" pilot chute... I think the reserve was open before the ripcord even cleared the housing! Ahhhhh! The "Good Old Dayz"... When 'Safety Meeting' meant something A LOT different! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjosparky 4 #3 March 12, 2005 Out here in God's country we called them a "last hope rope". SparkyMy idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #4 March 12, 2005 QuoteOut here in God's country we called them a "last hope rope". Sparky Quote Wouldn't wanna piss off Jesus in "God's Country!" ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomAiello 26 #5 March 12, 2005 Can somebody explain how this worked? Please? I'm wondering if some variant could be used to open a BASE rig in the event of a PC total, like a bridle-over or bridle knot. Thanks!-- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjosparky 4 #6 March 12, 2005 QuoteCan somebody explain how this worked? Please? I'm wondering if some variant could be used to open a BASE rig in the event of a PC total, like a bridle-over or bridle knot. Thanks! The line is attached to the top flap of the reserve container, routed over the left shoulder and was either attached to the reserve handle or the MLW near the handle. If you pulled and had a container lock you pull on the line and it would open the flap and allow the P/C to come out. They did work but they also caused problems. SparkyMy idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #7 March 12, 2005 QuoteCan somebody explain how this worked? Please? I'm wondering if some variant could be used to open a BASE rig in the event of a PC total, like a bridle-over or bridle knot. Thanks! Quote All it was Tom, was a line of 550 sewn to the under side of the top flap on the reserve. Or on some rigs a side flap. The shape of the reserve container was close to a belly wart. Sometimes they seemed to 'take a set' and the pilot chute wasn't enough to push the flaps open. 1/2 the time at repack cycle... I'd lay the rig on the table and dump the reserve...NOTHING! Pulling the 'last hope rope' peeled the top flap and let the PC get air. I bet you could adapt the idea to a BASE rig perhaps even with opposing sides being pulled. Have you seen the reserve configuration on the new Quazar ll...? The flaps have something in them that actually -springs- them into the open position... ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jonstark 8 #8 March 12, 2005 Tom. These were used on rigs that were closed with pins and cones. Sometimes when you pulled your ripcord the cones would get stuck in the grommets and not release the flap to let the pilot chute go. The "Jesus" cord just pulled on the top flap to dislodge the locked cone/grommet and open the flap. They were often attached to the reserve ripcord and were usually red 550 with a little slack tacked with seal thread. jon howzat for simul-posting guys...? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #9 March 12, 2005 routed over the left shoulder and was either attached to the reserve handle or the MLW near the handle. Quote Mine when I got it had the line tied to a carabiner clip that was on the main lift web. Pull the reserve...then pull / push the carabiner down the webbing... I was worried about getting the reserve handle clipped in, so I just had the line sewn onto the webbing above the reserve. - ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjosparky 4 #10 March 12, 2005 Quoterouted over the left shoulder and was either attached to the reserve handle or the MLW near the handle. Quote Mine when I got it had the line tied to a carabiner clip that was on the main lift web. Pull the reserve...the pull / push the carabiner down the webbing... I was worried about getting the reserve handle clipped in, so I just had the line sewn onto the webbing above the reserve. - I took the damn thing off because the red clashed with orange. SparkyMy idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #11 March 12, 2005 QuoteI took the damn thing off because the red clashed with orange. Quote I was going through 'gear check' at the first Freak Brothers Convention... The rigger dude goes..."HOLY SHIT!" Cut the line off...pulled the reserve... and repacked right there with a Hot Dog & a Kicker Plate. ~Charged me 25 bucks and said; "Welcome to the 20th century!" ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #12 March 12, 2005 Quotehowzat for simul-posting guys...? Quote Great minds not only think alike, but all at once! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tonybrogdon 0 #13 March 13, 2005 Hey Jim, those capewells and ripcords bring back a few good memories. Had three cutaways over twenty year span. All happened after getting rigs with 3 ring releases. TonyTony Brogdon D-12855 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RogerRamjet 0 #14 March 13, 2005 Quote 1/2 the time at repack cycle... I'd lay the rig on the table and dump the reserve...NOTHING! Really? Half the time? I'd of gotten rid of that rig! I was the primary rigger at Z-Hills for almost two years between 1973-74, one of the busiest dropzones in the world at the time and I never saw that happen once (I fish scaled all reserves that came in for re-packs). I did jump with a couple of guys that had those lines on their rigs though. I for one was certainly glad to see cones go on into history.... ----------------------- Roger "Ramjet" Clark FB# 271, SCR 3245, SCS 1519 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #15 March 13, 2005 QuoteReally? Half the time? I'd of gotten rid of that rig! Quote I was in college at the time...and working to stay IN school...and OUTTA jail I was teaching 1st jump classes for jump tickets.. 'getting rid of the rig' wasn't an option until graduation and white collar employment.... (Still HAVE the rig..just haven't used it in 25 years) ...and on THAT kind of a budget, 'repack cycle' is a rather loose term...1/2 the time might not be as often as you would suspect. As I said...things were a bit different then. Didn't we meet at SDH a while back? ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RogerRamjet 0 #16 March 13, 2005 QuoteQuoteReally? Half the time? I'd of gotten rid of that rig! Quote I was in college at the time...and working to stay IN school...and OUTTA jail I was teaching 1st jump classes for jump tickets.. 'getting rid of the rig' wasn't an option until graduation and white collar employment.... (Still HAVE the rig..just haven't used it in 25 years) ...and on THAT kind of a budget, 'repack cycle' is a rather loose term...1/2 the time might not be as often as you would suspect. As I said...things were a bit different then. Didn't we meet at SDH a while back? LOL, I can relate to that. I worked packing T-10 student rigs, reserves, and putting out students for jump tickets. In 74, Z-hills was averaging 40 students a weekend (not including returning students) in the summer so I had plenty of credit if not always enough time to spend it :) You'd have to define a couple of those terms; like "a while back" and "SDH" for me to answer that one. I jumped from 73 to 80. Mostly at Z-Hills to begin with, but also Deland and the Sod Farm in central Florida. Then I moved to Miami for about a year to build the first 120 or so Wonderhogs for Booth. Then I moved back to Z-Hills to build rigs for Bill Buchman at which time we went to Aurora Ill. for a summer where I jumped there and at Hinkley quite a bit. We did side trips to Sturgis MI., South Bend, IN., and even went to the Richmond Boogie to jump in the Air Show that year. Also jumped at Downsville, MD., and Woodbine MD. (where I was 8th in their first ever 8 man err person). Moved back to Z-Hills and continued to build rigs for Buchman for a while, then built my own rigs for about 8 months before just jumping again. Your earlier pictures of yourself do look familier, but so much time has passed, I just don't know. ----------------------- Roger "Ramjet" Clark FB# 271, SCR 3245, SCS 1519 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #17 March 13, 2005 a while back" and "SDH" for me to answer that one. Quote PM sent... It was Hinkley... Big Polish guy that always rode a Sportster to tha DZ wearin' a rig....that was ME! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Niki1 1 #18 March 13, 2005 John, don't forget the slack in the 550. You need enough slack so that the pin clears BEFORE the 550 starts to pull the flap. Gary Dupuis in DeLand put one on a rig in the early 70s. Steve Snyder saw it and went back to NJ and put one on his own rig. Snyder was back in DeLand a few weeks later and showed the rig to Gary. Gary says, "You ain't had no malfunctions, have you?" Snyder replied, "No but how did you know?" Gary said, "Because you're still alive." Gary then picked up Snyders rig by the reserve handle. There was no slack in the Last Hope Rope and would've totaled if it had been needed.Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossilbe before they were done. Louis D Brandeis Where are we going and why are we in this basket? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RogerRamjet 0 #19 March 14, 2005 QuoteJohn, don't forget the slack in the 550. You need enough slack so that the pin clears BEFORE the 550 starts to pull the flap. Gary Dupuis in DeLand put one on a rig in the early 70s. Steve Snyder saw it and went back to NJ and put one on his own rig. Snyder was back in DeLand a few weeks later and showed the rig to Gary. Gary says, "You ain't had no malfunctions, have you?" Snyder replied, "No but how did you know?" Gary said, "Because you're still alive." Gary then picked up Snyders rig by the reserve handle. There was no slack in the Last Hope Rope and would've totaled if it had been needed. Gary was/is a very smart man, I always liked him. Location: North America/United States/Florida City: Raeford, NC Well, which is it, Florida or NC? I think I know you... ----------------------- Roger "Ramjet" Clark FB# 271, SCR 3245, SCS 1519 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RogerRamjet 0 #20 March 14, 2005 QuoteJohn, don't forget the slack in the 550. You need enough slack so that the pin clears BEFORE the 550 starts to pull the flap. Actually, that is only true if the Jesus string is attached to the reserve ripcord, if attached to the MLW like Jim's, no slack was required. The guys at Z-Hills that had them had the MLW attached type. The reasoning was that if any of the malfunction or reserve entangled with the reserve ripcord, they didn't want it permenently attached to them... ----------------------- Roger "Ramjet" Clark FB# 271, SCR 3245, SCS 1519 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybill 22 #21 March 14, 2005 Hi Bob!!!!!!!!!!!! Good to see you post!! Good story, I remember that gig as it happened to someone on the left coast back then too!!! Jesus strings / last hope ropes great they are now history!!! BTW, howz Va.??SCR-2034, SCS-680 III%, Deli-out Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jonstark 8 #22 March 14, 2005 Niki ! Great to hear from you! Where are you and doing what for/to whom? Howz Dupi? Saw his roomie in Memphis last summer. jon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #23 March 14, 2005 QuoteCan somebody explain how this worked? Please? I'm wondering if some variant could be used to open a BASE rig in the event of a PC total, like a bridle-over or bridle knot. Thanks! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Jesus strings were an answer to a wear pattern on brass cones. Thatnk God brass cones disappeared from skydiving gear decades ago. Perhaps the solution to your BASE dilemma would be to completely remove the closing loop. For example, some Centarus containers (built in the late 1970s) had their Jessus strings tied to their reserve ripcords. However, Centarus Jesus strings were better because their Jesus string was routed between the backpad and the reserve container. The first few inches of ripcord travel pulled the ripcord pin (as per normal) and if you continued pulling, you completely removed the (soft, gutted 550 cord) reserve closing loop. Another idea would be to copy the RSL configuration used on some Student Bullet containers. Bullets have double-ended reserve closing loops, but they are not tied to the reserve pack tray, instead, Bullets have straight pins (similar to pull-outs) between the back pad and reserve container, so a Bullet RSL never touches the reserve ripcord, instead it disconnects the closing loops from the pack tray. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #24 March 14, 2005 Perhaps the solution to your BASE dilemma would be to completely remove the closing loop. Quote Been a long time since I made a BASE jump... but I don't believe BASE rigs have a closing loop per say. I think Toms querry was aimed at a PC function that fails to create enough drag to open the velcro that closes the container. In this case it would be more of a bridle assist not a top flap assist... ...Or I'm just as confused as ALWAYS! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnRich 4 #25 March 14, 2005 QuoteWouldn't wanna piss off Jesus in "God's Country!" That reminds me of a sign at the edge of a small town in west Texas that I drive through: "This is God's country. Don't drive like hell through it." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
