Jun 27, 2012, 10:12 AM
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Rubber bands
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Rubber bands?
Guys I'm sorry but this is an odd one, maybe I'm a little OCD. But at the end of each day of skydiving I pull off my old rubber bands for new ones. I'm not jumping anything nutty or any kind of exotic lines. I just figure it's better to be safe than sorry. And I'm just asking, by going to new rubber bands am I causing any unusual wear and tear to my rig or my lines? I'm going to guess no but figured I would just ask, and the last day I jumped I totally forgot to ask the packers what they thought. Thanks!
OCD as in "Organizing for Community Development" so yes, if you give the "old" bands away to skydiving buddies you sure will help develop the community
And yea, sounds like obsessive-compulsive disorder. Have never seen anyone do this. If they don't tear apart when you pack, they are OK. If in doubt, pull 'em a little before you stow the lines with them; if they don't tear apart, they are OK.
Shouldn't do any harm to your lines if you treat them with new rubber bands only, though.
Maybe a better question is to ask for criteria for replacing those bands.
They look a little rough? They have a hole in them? They have a tear partway through? They are a bit oxidized or dried out? They are loose/slippery on the lines (typ if you use small ones and single wrap - However, I recommend regular and double wrap on all - warning, I don't practice what I preach - my first three are normal/double, the rest little/single (purely due to laziness on my part))
(((as for OCD...., about once a month, if I took my field packed rig home to slowly pack it, I normally replace all my bands, "just because" - but those last bands on my rig rarely get replaced and they do seem to hold looser after a few weekends - so this is as good a time as any to get them all))))
(This post was edited by rehmwa on Jun 27, 2012, 11:23 AM)
Well Wendy by the end of the week, two days of jumping (8 jumps++/), they kind of look like poop.
If that is true than you are doing something wrong with your packing.
only if he's talking about all the bands. if he's just talking about the main locking stows (first one, or even the first 2 or 3) then it's normal to have to replace them pretty often - YMMV (or he could try smaller bites too, but I like 1.5 to 2" bites, so those locking stows do wear those bands pretty fast - again, YMMV)
(This post was edited by rehmwa on Jun 27, 2012, 11:25 AM)
Well Wendy by the end of the week, two days of jumping (8 jumps++/), they kind of look like poop.
If that is true than you are doing something wrong with your packing.
only if he's talking about all the bands. if he's just talking about the main locking stows (first one, or even the first 2 or 3) then it's normal to have to replace them pretty often - YMMV (or he could try smaller bites too, but I like 1.5 to 2" bites, so those locking stows do wear those bands pretty fast - again, YMMV)
Also new jumpers might use the pullupcord to set the first stow because it's tight ( or lack of skill ). That will wear the rubberbands fast.
Also new jumpers might use the pullupcord to set the first stow because it's tight ( or lack of skill ). That will wear the rubberbands fast.
Yes sadly that's me. Still working on it! You know the center two will get frayed around the edges. The others look just fine. So would it be ok just to replace the center two?
Yes, just replace the worn ones. The locking stows will wear out faster than the line stows. They will not wear out as quickly if you don't abuse them (hint, bring the grommet to the rubber band, not the rubber band to the grommet).
OK, as long as you put the old ones into a bowl for everyone else to use -- because they're perfectly good after a single day.
Wendy P.
Well Wendy by the end of the week, two days of jumping (8 jumps++/), they kind of look like poop.
Does that mean you have been to the dropzone for a total of 12 (+/-) times since you got your A license ???? As in 4 days every year ???
OCD is an understatement. Unless of course you are the type of dude who siphons the fuel out if his car every time it's parked for more than a few days.
Also new jumpers might use the pullupcord to set the first stow because it's tight ( or lack of skill ). That will wear the rubberbands fast.
Yes sadly that's me. Still working on it! You know the center two will get frayed around the edges. The others look just fine. So would it be ok just to replace the center two?
Not like these things cost all that much!
Wha??? How & why would you use a pullup cord for your locking stows, Shah? Don't tell me your fingers are too weak to pull the rubberband? You jumping big dacron lines? You're not double-wrapping the locking stows w/dacron lines? Are you?
Also new jumpers might use the pullupcord to set the first stow because it's tight ( or lack of skill ). That will wear the rubberbands fast.
Yes sadly that's me. Still working on it! You know the center two will get frayed around the edges. The others look just fine. So would it be ok just to replace the center two?
Not like these things cost all that much!
Ok, will give you a tip.
Place the bag between your knees, and have the lines on top of one knee. Grab the grommet with one hand and the rubber band in one. Push out the air with your hands from above and your knees from the sides, and then just push the rubberband trough.
Don't rush it, make sure the air is out before you try to set the rubber band.
If they don't tear apart when you pack, they are OK. If in doubt, pull 'em a little before you stow the lines with them; if they don't tear apart, they are OK.
Can't say I agree with this concept. As a full time rigger I see a lot of gear come through the loft and I have seen enough people using bands that have nicks in them that can and do break during the packing process or deployment process.
consider if you will that the locking stows tend to get the most tension, that during lift off the mass of the lines extends the bands and if they are damaged they are more prone to breaking....
now you have a point in the deployment process where you can have bag-strip, the canopy has left the bag before line stretch. There can be disastrous outcomes.
I always teach people to change their bands before they break. The last thing you want is an out of sequence deployment. For the cost of bands its really not much and as someone else suggested if you dont like to pay for bands then get a stowless bag
