I've been using a removable slider for the past four thousand skydives and I've built about forty for other skydivers to use, mainly cameramen. A few things you should know: The design has to be 100% secure during deployment and easy to remove with one swift movement after deployment. This is not the case with all removable sliders so be careful which design you choose. The person packing it needs to understand how it can be installed incorrectly so they can make sure they don't make the mistakes that some people have made. If you use packers then I recommend that you install the slider before giving them the rig for packing. It must pack like any normal slider, don't use cable release sliders that don't bend or fold easily as they can cause problems. The slider size has to be correct for your canopy. Two things to think about here. Is the material surface area the same size and shape as the canopy manufacturers slider, and do the grommet positions allow the canopy to spread exactly the same distance as the canopy manufacturers grommets. Basically, this is a trade off as it's not possible to have both of these. For the best deployments they should both meet half way. The tolerance during the manufacture is extremely tight to ensure that the slider can't release prematurely, and to ensure that it does release easily when you need it. If you use a center handle that releases all four grommets at the same time then this is about five millimeters. This is one of the reasons why manufacturers don't want to put them into production and why they are expensive. The slider needs to be used in conjunction with slider stops at your connector links, this is best done with a small solid plastic ring as a slider stop. if you use mini links with silicone covers, then you have to be aware of the wear problem that can trap a control line. Packing shouldn't take much longer than uncocking a draw cord slider, after you've had a little bit of practice. Check out my design at http://www.sky-science.com/Sales%20-%20Removable%20Slider.html I've never promoted my design because making them is not profitable, the time it takes compared to what you can charge was just not worth it. Now that I see that skydivers are willing to pay the right price I have changed my mind. I will now make them if a customer wants one but only after discussing why they want one and what their needs are because a removable slider is not for everyone. I hate collapsing sliders or trying to pull them past my toggles, or having to deal with the slider before releasing the toggles. It can all get too messy when your job during and after deployment is to keep an eye out for other skydivers. With a removable slider the first thing I do is release my toggles and head towards the drop zone after looking around for others. I then reach up with one hand pull the slider and stick it down my jumpsuit. To me this is far safer than a lot of collapsible slider systems. The added safety in the air is balanced out by having to assemble your slider again. This can be done incorrectly. Allan
