Meadman 0 #1 July 17, 2003 I was wondering if there is any data to support that mals might be more or less common at different altitudes. Is air density a factor at all? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hookitt 0 #2 July 17, 2003 No there isn't. However you're more likely to clear some malfunctions if you're open higher.My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tonto 1 #3 July 17, 2003 Canopies open harder in rarified air. HAHO research supports this - but Mil gear is almost always new. tIt's the year of the Pig. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hookitt 0 #4 July 17, 2003 Ok.. I'll look up Rarified... Yes very high altitudes and the parachute will open faster.My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blahr 0 #5 July 17, 2003 Rarified means scarce or thin. This implies that mals are more common when openeing higher. Personally I wouldnt chopose to call air at 3500 more "rarified" than 3000 or 2500. I would use that term to describe altitudes 16k or higher where you need supplimental oxygen. THATS rarified. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freakydiver 0 #6 July 17, 2003 Parachute opens faster at higher altis?? Isn't their less O2 to fill up the canopy with resulting in slower opening speeds?? Dunno, just askin! -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." -- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiverRick 0 #7 July 17, 2003 QuoteParachute opens faster at higher altis?? Isn't their less O2 to fill up the canopy with resulting in slower opening speeds?? Dunno, just askin! You fall faster at higher altitudes. never pull low......unless you are Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freakydiver 0 #8 July 17, 2003 I realize that, but there is less O2 in the atmosphere which is what a Ram-air canopy uses to inflate correct? Again, I am dumb and am just wondering here... -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." -- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 3 #9 July 17, 2003 QuoteIs air density a factor at all? Normally? No. At all? Well, ok, yes. Deploying your canopy at terminal velocity at a very high altitude (let's say, 30,000 feet) can cause higher than normal opening shocks and can even cause it to structurally fail.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 3 #10 July 17, 2003 QuoteI realize that, but there is less O2 in the atmosphere which is what a Ram-air canopy uses to inflate correct? The percentage of O2 is roughly the same at all altitudes from sea level to well over 100,000 feet above it. The pressures and densities are different. It's not so much that the canopy opens "faster" but that terminal velocity is so much higher than the range of speeds, from fast freefall to being under canopy is much greater -- therefore the opening will be harder -- possibly hard enough for the canopy to fail (tear apart).quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #11 July 17, 2003 QuoteI realize that, but there is less O2 in the atmosphere which is what a Ram-air canopy uses to inflate correct? Again, I am dumb and am just wondering here... The canopy doesn't care if it's O2 or N20. It's not like there's a filter that only lets certain gasses into the cells. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freakydiver 0 #12 July 17, 2003 After walking and ponderin I now get it... Thanks all for the explanations... -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." -- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
