chuckakers 422 #1 November 24, 2012 Just a little reminder that gear checks save lives and reserve repacks, regardless of who you are or how many jumps you have.... I organize jumps at Skydive Spaceland in Houston and always insist that folks on my jumps get a gear check FROM ANOTHER JUMPER before boarding the plane on every jump. Recently I was checking the gear of a good friend and very competent jumper with about 1,000 jumps as we stood in the loading area waiting for the plane, and found his cutaway handle pulled completely out of its' pocket, just dangling there waiting to be a problem at the worst possible moment. He confirmed that he checked his gear before donning it, so we presumed that he somehow caught the handle on something between the packing area and the loading area. We also do a visual inspection and confirm handle and attachment points before exit. Gear checks, please.Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Quagmirian 40 #2 November 24, 2012 You should make it a rule that every jumper on the load should be checked by someone, who then puts their initials next to the jumper's name on the manifest. I know that is a crazy idea and would literally be infringing on freedoms though. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maksimsf 0 #3 November 24, 2012 +1 Chuck On my jump 10 or so DZM stopped me when I was walking towards a plane on the taxiway call - I didn't do my chest strap at all. 15 jumps later I found my chest strap misrouted just before leaving the plane. I nearly killed myself 2 times already, since then I always do few gear check before boarding and in the plane and keep an eyes on other peoples gear especially chest straps and handles. QuoteI know that is a crazy idea and would literally be infringing on freedoms though. Would they rather be injured/killed? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
babz 0 #4 November 24, 2012 This is one thing I cannot understand, how can a 30s gear check infringe on freedoms? Surely it is better for the DZ to ensure their jumpers are correctly geared up - any accident that can be caused is surely more hassle than printing a copy of manifest and ensuring jumpers initial next to their own name when been checked. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
samlee 0 #5 November 24, 2012 He is being sarcastic. This is exactly what we do in the UK. Everyone must get a gear check, and everyone is taught flightline checking (i.e. the key things to check) as part of their B Licence. Students must be checked by instructors, and A licences must have a visual check that their AAD is on (compulsory for A licence and students). I've caught a few chest straps over the last few years, although funnily enough most of them were when jumping abroad and gear checks weren't as common, I just happened to be doing random visual checks which is something I do on every jump. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #6 November 24, 2012 What could possibly go wrong? ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Quagmirian 40 #7 November 24, 2012 Apologies everybody, I was hoping that my post would be taken as satire. I now realise that it was not appropriate. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Joellercoaster 6 #8 November 24, 2012 Take back your take-back! It was totally appropriate.-- "I'll tell you how all skydivers are judged, . They are judged by the laws of physics." - kkeenan "You jump out, pull the string and either live or die. What's there to be good at? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kuai43 7 #9 November 25, 2012 Quote What could possibly go wrong? Looks fine for plan B. His Velcro was probably a little worn.Every fight is a food fight if you're a cannibal Goodness is something to be chosen. When a man cannot choose, he ceases to be a man. - Anthony Burgess Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GLIDEANGLE 1 #10 November 25, 2012 So true. Yesterday I saw a jumper in Florida land under a reserve canopy because his main handle was completely stuffed into his BOC pouch. He admitted that he didn't check his gear before exit.The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfriverjoe 1,496 #11 November 25, 2012 QuoteSo true. Yesterday I saw a jumper in Florida land under a reserve canopy because his main handle was completely stuffed into his BOC pouch. He admitted that he didn't check his gear before exit. Wow. Checking the handle when I first put the rig on (among other times) is so ingrained that I even do it when I put a backpack on. The "check of threes" is a very, very strong habit for me."There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Liemberg 0 #12 November 25, 2012 Well in that case it looks like a good place to put it - if you don't tuck it away, once in freefall it will be floppin' all over the place. Maybe next time, put the chest strap through - just to make sure! "Whoever in discussion adduces authority uses not intellect but memory." - Leonardo da Vinci A thousand words... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #13 November 25, 2012 Quote Quote What could possibly go wrong? Looks fine for plan B. His Velcro was probably a little worn. Then ya get it fixed, sayin' it's OK to jump with gear rigged like that is about as dumb as doin it. ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
spootch 0 #14 November 25, 2012 Quote Take back your take-back! It was totally appropriate. Take back your take-back take-back. NOT appropriate! .....uh oh there i go being sarcastic! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EOCS 0 #15 November 25, 2012 QuoteQuoteSo true. Yesterday I saw a jumper in Florida land under a reserve canopy because his main handle was completely stuffed into his BOC pouch. He admitted that he didn't check his gear before exit. Wow. Checking the handle when I first put the rig on (among other times) is so ingrained that I even do it when I put a backpack on. The "check of threes" is a very, very strong habit for me. Same here, wear a backpack to work and find myself checking for the handle rather often to the point where ive been asked wtf im doing. also i can no longer wear said backpack without the chest strap closed.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kuai43 7 #16 November 25, 2012 Quote Quote Quote What could possibly go wrong? Looks fine for plan B. His Velcro was probably a little worn. Then ya get it fixed, sayin' it's OK to jump with gear rigged like that is about as dumb as doin it. How'd that fishhook taste? It's not too often someone snags you... Every fight is a food fight if you're a cannibal Goodness is something to be chosen. When a man cannot choose, he ceases to be a man. - Anthony Burgess Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
in2jumping 0 #17 November 25, 2012 Remember many moons ago doing gear check for someone I was going up doing 2 way with. I caught a twisted leg strap on ROL throw out which would have resulted in PCIT and on that same jump he also had a floating reserve handle. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyjumpenfool 2 #18 November 25, 2012 Quote Then ya get it fixed, sayin' it's OK to jump with gear rigged like that is about as dumb as doin it. It's apparently been a while since you've hung out with the CRW dawgs? Birdshit & Fools Productions "Son, only two things fall from the sky." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #19 November 25, 2012 Quote Quote Quote Quote What could possibly go wrong? Looks fine for plan B. His Velcro was probably a little worn. Then ya get it fixed, sayin' it's OK to jump with gear rigged like that is about as dumb as doin it. How'd that fishhook taste? It's not too often someone snags you... Comin' from you 'I' knew it was tongue in cheek, problem is the 100 jump wonder using something like that as fuel for foulin' up. . . ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #20 November 25, 2012 Quote Quote Then ya get it fixed, sayin' it's OK to jump with gear rigged like that is about as dumb as doin it. It's apparently been a while since you've hung out with the CRW dawgs? I've seen one sewn in the pocket with red reserve seal thread once on a crew dogs rig...Yeah THAT should be just fine! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr_Polite 0 #21 November 25, 2012 Quote Remember many moons ago doing gear check for someone I was going up doing 2 way with. I caught a twisted leg strap on ROL throw out which would have resulted in PCIT and on that same jump he also had a floating reserve handle. You should have done a full gear check and he wouldn't have had a floating reserve handle Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #22 November 25, 2012 Quote Quote Remember many moons ago doing gear check for someone I was going up doing 2 way with. I caught a twisted leg strap on ROL throw out which would have resulted in PCIT and on that same jump he also had a floating reserve handle. You should have done a full gear check and he wouldn't have had a floating reserve handle I'm just guessin' but maybe he found AND fixed it on the ground.My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
muff528 3 #23 November 27, 2012 Quote You should make it a rule that every jumper on the load should be checked by someone, who then puts their initials next to the jumper's name on the manifest. I know that is a crazy idea and would literally be infringing on freedoms though. Now, that might make some lawyer's job a little easier! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fcajump 164 #24 November 27, 2012 Few years back there was a pic going around of a rig that had been checked into a boogie, then jumped several times before anyone noticed that the person tagging the rig had put the tag (zip-tie) around the main lift web through the reserve handle. Look for the stupid shit as well at the expected. JWAlways remember that some clouds are harder than others... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hokierower 0 #25 November 27, 2012 QuoteQuoteSo true. Yesterday I saw a jumper in Florida land under a reserve canopy because his main handle was completely stuffed into his BOC pouch. He admitted that he didn't check his gear before exit. Wow. Checking the handle when I first put the rig on (among other times) is so ingrained that I even do it when I put a backpack on. The "check of threes" is a very, very strong habit for me.Ditto. When I put on the rig, before I get on the plane, after lift-off, getting ready before the door goes up, and usually right before I get in the door. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
