hajnalka

Not directed at anyone. But, damn! http://online.wsj.com/articles/arab-states-skeptical-of-obama-administrations-plan-to-combat-islamic-state-militants-1410125283 Sounds like local nations want to stay out of it, and are hoping we'll (USA) do all the work. Screw that

You are always so incredibly helpful on this forum ... to new, prospective and old riggers alike. Thanks.

Wow, that's crazy! The VAST majority of my experience with soft links has been with the PD brand. While I knew metal on metal can cause problems, I've never seen anything quite like this. This one took me by surprise, because of the low jump #s on this rig and the major damage to the riser. It only takes a few minutes to tack slinks, and pushing a blunt-nosed curved needle through a riser doesn't do it any damage. Untacked, exposed soft tabs are usually OK, but they have lead to link failure, steering line hang-ups, numerous cutaways, and (if I remember correctly) at least one fatality in AZ years ago. I always prefer to tack soft links. I'm happy to see Aerodyne get rid of the rings.

Hey DHemer, Many riggers won't look at your main, unless you specifically ask them to do so. Have someone tack your main links. Not critical, but definitely a good idea.

In addition to link failure, This is a serious issue that can also lead to riser damage, if the slider grommet and metal link tab are guillotining the TY17 on each opening, as in the attached picture. These were new Mirage risers with maybe 80 jumps. So, please: Everyone, do tack your main link tabs inside the risers. I know of many malfunctions and slink failures due to unfortunate slink tab/brake line interactions, and wear. I'm happy to hear of any/all manufacturers doing away with the metal rings! I agree with not tacking reserve slinks - just set them properly and be done with it - but would not fault any rigger for doing so.

No, not that much force, surprisingly. I've had a few of these defective washers: most recently ~ 3 years ago on a rig that was out of service for some time. That one failed when I was pinning the PC on a Javelin (no leverage tool.) The few that I had, tore completely between two of the holes. At that time, I talked to SSK and they seemed to think most of them were already out of the field. Hopefully this is a thing of the past, but it never hurts to keep in mind. I have only heard of them failing during closing, and not during use of the rig. I stopped reusing old Cypres washers then; if I'm not confident the washer was pre-SB, I replace it.

I've read through all 7 pages of posts. Tough issue. Please, listen to this: http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/370/ruining-it-for-the-rest-of-us This podcast contains the story of a boy who almost died from a measles infection. This was directly caused by parents who chose not to immunize their children. The boy who almost died was under 12 months of age, so he was too young to be immunized. To directly reply to one of your points, about how your non-immunized child could possibly be a risk at school: ANY non-immunized child can be a risk to EVERYONE they contact. Their contacts may have been immunized, but could still carry the infection to a baby too young to have the shots yet. Or to an elderly person. Or an immuno-compromised person. Or anyone else who is vulnerable. I agree that the current schedule seems excessive, and I question the need to vaccinate babies for Hep A or B. But, pertussis and measles outbreaks are making news, and this pisses me off. We have safe vaccines to prevent these diseases. Folks who choose not to vaccinate their children ARE causing these devastating diseases to make a horrible comeback: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2013/10/06/whooping-cough-outbreak-fueled-by-vaccination-refusals/ http://www.cdc.gov/measles/outbreaks.html Measles was considered eradicated in the US in 2000. It is endemic in other countries. It is now gaining a foothold in the US again, due to travel and the anti-vaccination movement. Think hard and long about keeping your kids safe.

Absolutely ... which is why I'm posting (smile.) I used to have a book called "The Worst of Times." Set mostly in Philadelphia. It was full of accounts from pre-Roe vs Wade: Women who had back-alley abortions, kids who saw their mothers die and grew up motherless, reports from coroners who witnessed all the septic deaths, and the police reports from absolutely everyone including interviews with the abortionsists and with the heartbroken husbands and fathers. It was harrowing. I fear we're going back to those times, with recent state legislative decisions. The worst part to me is, they are not only restricting abortion, they are greatly curtailing access to birth control. Shutting down these clinics. In case you don't get it, better birth control/pregnancy prevention, counselling, and health care in general would negate the need for many abortions in the first place. I've almost given up; will try it your way. Restrict and abolish it. Guarantee it will not go away. It will get more ugly, with more lives lost; more lives harmed. Why???

I usually do invite the rig owner put the rig on and practice EP's, especially if they have low jump #s and/or are uncurrent, etc. I just like the idea of a 'discount' on a rig I regularly maintain anyway, because some of these nasty surprises cause me more time and effort.

Best idea I've seen in a long time, I may adopt this. Less work for me if things are set up like I want (bumpers tacked, etc.) Love it. -D

NovaTTT and drjump: I used to have a little iron tool that was similar at Carolina Sky Sports, it was a wedge no more than 3" high that sat on a iron base, that fit inside the link. Loosen the screws, put it on there, and one little whack would have it separated. Might have been homemade. I can't find anything similar ... if anyone has a source for something similar (or would make one for me) I'm all ears. I thought of and tried the tapered packing paddle thing two weeks ago when disassembling a Sigma reserve. After that and many other methods (screwdrivers, tapping the partially unthreaded screws, etc.) I had to walk away in frustration. Three riggers, a plumber, 4 strong guys and over an hour later we got it done. Turns out someone had loc-tited the screws thoroughly with RED loc-tite. I still need to inform my DZO that we need to order a new set of L-bars. Luckily no lines were damaged in the process.

Thanks for the info, everyone. I no longer think it was pencil-packed; suspect it was packed by the owner using this paper seal that evidently comes from someone else in Lithuania (Google translated the text.) But my education efforts increase: when I looked at it again today, found much of the PC bridle stuffed down underneath the reserve freebag, between the FB and pack tray. Multiple lines were stuck to the FB velcro. The actual canopy didn't look packed at all, just stuffed in the FB. Would the reserve have worked? Maybe, but this pack job was not exactly giving it the best chance, IMO. Best, Dawn

Greetings

My first (gut) reaction: Refuse to pack. This is a reserve ... IMO they should not have things done to them except inspections and repacks so they can save someone's life. The marking may not have been harmful and it may be just fine, but I have no way to know/test that. Recommend sending it back to the mf. I'll be interested to see the responses you get.

There absolutely is a right answer. Don't perform any work without authorization. Or if you do, do it with the understanding that you may not get paid for it. I would expect the same decision in any industry. I understand that you're trying to say, and I appreciate the sentiment, but performing work unauthorized is not your call to make. If it's not ready, then it's not ready. Your customer is the asshole here for dropping it off without enough time and not being available to contact, not you. It has nothing to do with trust. I trust my mechanic and I would be more than a little miffed if he did work on my car without asking. Would I get the work done anyway? Probably, but it's my call, not his. I trust my rigger too and my attitude would be the same involving a rig. 100% agree with this. I run a small loft and won't do any work over an inspection and repack without talking to the rig owner (although I have agreements with some to do whatever I want, regardless of cost.) It doesn't feel right or even legal to me to do anything else without talking to the owner about other options (retire the rig, send it to the mf, pay me to do the work needed, take it to another loft, etc.) There is a huge gray area on who will seal what rig. I don't care how badly a guy needs to jump this weekend; if I won't seal the rig we need to talk. I won't do ANY unauthorized repairs. IMO it's better to err on the safe side with rigging, always. The world isn't gonna end, and hopefully you can borrow a rig. To the OP: Sorry this happened. Sounds like bad communication all around.

I haven't posted anything in forever, but want to share my thoughts on this one. I've seen several baglocks caused by messy, long non-locking stows: I haven't seen any at the locking stows. Agree that I would have loved to hear John LeBlanc talk about stowless or semi-stowless main d-bags. Obviously the main PC is a big factor during deployment. Having casually read over the thread, I agree with what this 'doc' guy is saying: Locking stows are important. Keeping the rest of the lines organized is important ... but tension and how they release, not so much. You cannot compare freestowing lines in a container to a stowless bag. Totally different deployments going on. To the OP: Don't worry about unused stow bands. They won't interfere with anything. Keep your non-locking stows tight, short and even.

I miss you - I had for some time - and maybe I could have/should have been a better friend ... but I think we both did our best. You knew I loved you, I knew you loved me, and that's what counts, right? (I can just hear you laugh.) I hope you're at peace, my friend. Thanks for all you taught me.

I had a great time - what an awesome, well-organized event! It was so good to see so many old friends, and make some new ones. I hope to be part of it again next year.

Hey Skunk - It's not as dire as all that! I was full-time rigger and part-time packer at a very busy DZ for 10 years. I have many specialized rigging tools that were made to my specs and I'm all about tools that help/don't hinder. I don't think my issue was about tools or technique as much as it was about NOT being used to the pace and demands of full-time tandem packing, and me not giving the job the respect it deserves regarding its effects on my body. It's a strenous thing. If I thought I was doing long-term damage to my hands (or anything else,) I would stop. But, it's a great job that I enjoy. I'm taking better care of my body, and happily I'm toughening up. Thanks to everyone for your advice, H

Thanks for your input/advice

Thanks much for your info/advice

... but will it take down the swelling? If so I'm there, but I've got to tell you I'm moisturized as all hell with products unto infinity. My skin is great. Fingers are STILL swollen, all these days later, Unbelievable!

This doesn't make sense to me. I think it's a matter of packing technique - which I admittedly lack. Where i was packing, the bungees were definitely tight, and the right length. The other (experienced) packers had no trouble making the line stows, without using a pullup cord or anything else. Right now I feel no shame in using a pullup cord for the last few stows, but I don't think it's ideal, even when the bungees are within spec. It puts more wear and strain on the system = bungee, dbag, and lines. I'm working toward the point where I won't need that pullup cord any more. Best, H

This is what I'm hoping. I did a bunch of yard work today and my hands seem better than they did after 2 days of rest. Guess I gotta stay tough ...