skip 0 #1 April 16, 2002 Can anyone name a disadvantage or safety risk of having an unconnected RSL on a rig?I am an extreme low timer, just finishing up AFP and I’m looking into my first rig. Up until a few weeks ago I was leaning towards a rig with no RSL, however now (prompted by discussion in this forum) I think I would like to have one there. Just curious about any disadvantages of having it unhooked other than the fact that it will not function.Thanks..:skip Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GrumpySmurf 0 #2 April 16, 2002 Ohhh!You said the bad R*L word! Let the jihad begin anew!Well, if it's left to hang loose and flop around, it could snag on sumthin' - maybe someone could try to dock on you, reach, flounder, funnel the formation, catch it by mistake and 'pop' goes the weasel/reserve - that would suck . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gale 0 #3 April 16, 2002 Here's a newbie question: why would you WANT it disconnected?GaleLife's not worth living if you can't feel alive Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #4 April 16, 2002 I was told, that if you want it disconnected, i.e. you're doing CReW for a dive, you can unhook it, then hook it to the actual cutaway housing.Get a Rigger to check it!A human cannonball, I rise above it allUp higher then a trapeze, I can fly Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lazerq3 0 #5 April 16, 2002 Gentlemen ...start your engines!!jason Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
polarbear 1 #6 April 17, 2002 The only real safety issue I know of is that you need to make sure the snap shakcle is attached to something, and that it will in no way interfere with the operation of the rig (especially the 3-rings). Get a rigger help you decide what to do with the discionnected end. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #7 April 17, 2002 Gale --There might be several very good reasons for wanting to disconnect your RSL before or even during a jump. It all depends on the particulars of that jump and your experience.For instance, I mostly jump camera. It's generally considered not a good idea to have the RSL connected for those jumps because it increases the chances of gear entangement. Other types of jumps that you might not want an RSL disconnected include but are not limited to; CRW, Skysurf or anything where you might have a greater chance of becoming entangled immediately after cutaway because there is something funky attached to your body.However, I sometimes also do hop-n-pops for Pro practice. On these jumps it might be a GREAT idea to have the RSL connected.I also jump at Perris which right now is starting up with its dust devil season. So, as soon as I know I'm under a good working canopy, I might want to disconnect the RSL for landing. It would be a real drag to land and then get picked up by a dust devil, so I might be tempted to cutaway my main. Not having the RSL connected while my main goes for a little flight would mean I wouldn't have to pay for another repack. (I'd still have to chase my main though.)quadehttp://futurecam.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slotperfect 7 #8 April 17, 2002 -In my opinion, all of the reasons listed here are worthy of an RSL disconnect. -Myself, I jump a "high profile" camera helmet with lots of stuff to snag on, so I disconnect the RSL for camera jumps. In case I get lines entangled with my helmet, the disconnect allows me to jettison my helmet, cutaway the main, and get clear of the mess before deploying my reserve. Note: when jumping camera I always pull high (NLT 3000 AGL). I also get a gear check before every jump, and I tell the person checking me that my RSL is disconnected (for my own checklist as well). Last, I always double check everything on jump run, including the RSL disconnect.-I jump a Javelin, on which the RSL lanyard is long enough to shove down safely in under the mud flap (shackle closed). On other rigs with a shorter lanyard, I have re-closed the shackle around the cutaway cable housing. To reinforce an earlier post - DO NOT secure the shackle to the base ring.-When I was doing CRW I would disconnect my RSL as well. This allowed me time to get clear of a wrap/cutaway and deply reserve.Hope this helps!Respectfully,SP Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skip 0 #9 April 17, 2002 Can you unhook an RSL at both ends?.:skip Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 2,990 #10 April 17, 2002 On some (Racer) yes. On most, no - you need to remove the ripcord to free the other end of the RSL.-bill von Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gale 0 #11 April 17, 2002 Thanks for the good information.GaleLife's not worth living if you can't feel alive Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
