1969912 0 #1 October 15, 2005 Is a(n) RSL essentially the same as a Stevens Cutaway? "Once we got to the point where twenty/something's needed a place on the corner that changed the oil in their cars we were doomed . . ." -NickDG Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billbooth 10 #2 October 15, 2005 The "Steven's Lanyard" was an early RSL for FRONT mounted reserves developed by Perry Stevens in the late '60's. It was a long piece of tubular nylon that connected the right main riser directly to the reserve ripcord handle. It worked great, but quite a few people got hit in the face by that departing ripcord handle. This was especially bad if you had a Sentinel Pin-Puller handle that weighed about a pound. The first piggyback RSL I know of, also from the "60's, was designed by Dan Abbot for the original Security piggyback. It was a short piece of tubular connected to the reserve ripcord housing. The housing was connected to the rig with snaps at both ends, and left with the departing main after a breakaway, pulling the reserve pin, but usually leaving the handle in place. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1969912 0 #3 October 15, 2005 Thanks. I always wondered about that steel handle getting whipped past my face on cutaway! "Once we got to the point where twenty/something's needed a place on the corner that changed the oil in their cars we were doomed . . ." -NickDG Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,384 #4 October 16, 2005 QuoteThe "Steven's Lanyard" was an early RSL for FRONT mounted reserves developed by Perry Stevens in the late '60's. It was a long piece of tubular nylon that connected the right main riser directly to the reserve ripcord handle. A funny story told to me by an old-timer: He was jumping a belly-mounted reserve with a Stevens line. At pull time he confidently pulled the ripcord mounted outboard on the right lift web without bothering to look at it. After all, he had a hundred jumps and knew where it was! Something seemed odd, so he turned he head to the right to look at the ripcord he was holding in his right hand. It wasn't the ripcord; It was the Stevens line. He instantly dropped his head down to look at the belly-mounted reserve. As he did so he got the briefest glimpse of the reserve pilot chute disappearing between his legs. At this moment he stated he saw "his whole family life passing before his eyes". Fortunately, the force of the inflating canopy hit him offset against one inner thigh, rather than centered in the crotch, and after an amazingly quick front-flip, he had a clean reserve opening."There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZigZagMarquis 8 #5 October 17, 2005 Maybe next we can get Mr Booth to explain what a "Last Hope Rope" or "Jesus Cord" was. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JerryBaumchen 1,048 #6 October 17, 2005 Hi Bill, The X-Bow did not have snaps at the ripcord end of the housing. It sat into a webbing loop attached to the chest strap; I think it was at the chest strap. But I do know about the webbing loop; later changed to an elastic loop. BTW, I had Dan Abbott as an overnight guest here a couple of weeks ago; lots of stories. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billbooth 10 #7 October 18, 2005 You're right, I think it was elastic. I've still got my old Crossbow somewhere. I'll go look. What did the pioneer piggyback use? I could swear someone use snaps. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JerryBaumchen 1,048 #8 October 18, 2005 Wow, I get to teach Bill Booth something; a red letter day. Bill, the X-Bow used snaps at the container end only. The housing went away with the risers and the snaps had to 'undo' for the housing to seperate. The Para-Twin (Pioneer's piece of junk) used a Navy plate that held the housing permanently, no RSL. Jerry Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjosparky 3 #9 October 18, 2005 QuoteMaybe next we can get Mr Booth to explain what a "Last Hope Rope" or "Jesus Cord" was. If you really want to know, I'll be at C.C. Sunday and I'll show you on my rig. SparkyMy idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billbooth 10 #10 October 18, 2005 Hey...I was half-right...which is pretty good for a 30 year old memory. I knew there were snaps in there somewhere. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shall555 0 #11 October 18, 2005 I have a cutaway on a Stevens Lanyard. I pulled my R3s to chop a sleeve-locked PC and the reserve ripcord went past my face a split-second later. When I landed, the DZO remarked, "Oh, you still have your front teeth..." Apparently, getting smacked in the face wasn't uncommon with that setup. I took it off the rig after that. I had had more than one jump with the thing where the lanyard had come unstowed in freefall and I had to grab a handful of it and re-stow it in the little keeper-- yuck. shall Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billbooth 10 #12 October 18, 2005 QuoteMaybe next we can get Mr Booth to explain what a "Last Hope Rope" or "Jesus Cord" was. A Jesus cord was a short piece of line that went from the reserve ripcord handle to the reserve top flap. It purpose was to pull open the reserve flap in case it didn't open after the ripcord extracted the pin, thus preventing a total. It was the early days of piggybacks, and some people didn't like having the reserve container on their back where they couldn't get their hands on it. In some cases this was almost a good idea as some early piggybacks needed all the help they could get. However, it was another snag point, and prevented you from being able to get rid of your reserve ripcord. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,121 #13 October 18, 2005 In those days of home rigging, I had a friend install his own Jesus rope. He put it on a separate toggle, so that it wouldn't be attached to the ripcord. Of course, that meant a piece of red 550 running from the top flap of the reserve container to a toggle that was rubber-banded to his harness. 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) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZigZagMarquis 8 #14 October 18, 2005 I've said it before and I'll say it again... I'm sure glad y'all old timers went before us younger folks... jumped all that weird early day stuff and figured out what was a good idea and what wasn't so much... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billbooth 10 #15 October 18, 2005 QuoteI've said it before and I'll say it again... I'm sure glad y'all old timers went before us younger folks... jumped all that weird early day stuff and figured out what was a good idea and what wasn't so much... When I proudly showed my teenage daughters a recent piece I did for the History Channel, the eldest remarked, "What are you so proud of dad?...it means "you're history". Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterrig 1 #16 October 18, 2005 QuoteQuoteI've said it before and I'll say it again... I'm sure glad y'all old timers went before us younger folks... jumped all that weird early day stuff and figured out what was a good idea and what wasn't so much... When I proudly showed my teenage daughters a recent piece I did for the History Channel, the eldest remarked, "What are you so proud of dad?...it means "you're history". __________________________________________ Any idea when that might be aired? I wouldn't want to miss it. Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjosparky 3 #17 October 18, 2005 QuoteQuoteI've said it before and I'll say it again... I'm sure glad y'all old timers went before us younger folks... jumped all that weird early day stuff and figured out what was a good idea and what wasn't so much... When I proudly showed my teenage daughters a recent piece I did for the History Channel, the eldest remarked, "What are you so proud of dad?...it means "you're history". Bill, you are history.SparkyMy idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
