councilman24

In the US it's $160 plus return shipping plus $75 if you need batteries. That's about $245 plus shipping there. SSK will have your Cypres for two weeks. So, add shipping to each end of that for the time it will take. I don't know the cost in Europe.

Lisa, See my post above. I seen 2 year old pack jobs that were abused look fine. I've seen 120 pack jobs that might have killed someone, not from the packing but from the changes during the cycle. One of my two reserves takes a much harder "set" and I expect it to take somewhat longer to open, especially at subterminal. That one I do let go long and fluff it up for at least a day. It would depend on your individual canopy/container and how you handle it that would dictate whether I think your practice is safe. I certainly don't believe its legal. The FAR quote above says "packed" within 120 days. Regardless, I think you might keep things where you bend/break the limits to yourself and set a good example for all the 10 day rigging wonders and others that might come here looking for advice. I've always told my rigging customers for the last 18 years that I don't much care what they do as long as they don't forge my name. Then they are ex customers. They may be getting pilots/dz owners in trouble (yes, I know your not) and I don't want to have to write a fatality report, but like I said I don't much care what people do as long as my name isn't on it. Not to mention it will take you a year instead of 4 months and 3 times the jumps to find an error in the last pack job. ;) I have to admit I'm curious why you don't pack your own reserve, and if its because you don't feel current to do your own, if rig for others. BTW to keep people from forging my name I now number all my pack jobs on the card and in my log. I also always use a custom stamp to enter my seal on the card. That way I can more easily prove that I didn't pack it. Terry Urban Senior Rigger 1985 S&TA Member PIA

You know, I just opened my two rigs after being packed about 8 months. My Reflex ZP Reserve PC pretty much stayed folded up in the spring. My Raven resere came out like a brick. We've all seen some canopies that come out like a wet rag and some canopies that come out like a brick and take extra force to shake open. Until the calendaring and other processing of the materials is more consistent I don't favor 180 day repacks and I don't leave it in forever. Now, I've also open a reserve that I packed after the guy had been pencil packing it for two and a half years. Normally I wouldn't have packed for someone that had forged my or another riggers name but I wanted to see what it looked like. This guy did not take care of his rig and made about 500 jumps a year. The reserve came out just like I put it in. I also opened a rig that took 15lb of force to pull the bag off the canopy once the locking stows were open. The canopy had stuck to the coated inside of the freebag. I've only seen that once but it was pretty scary. The guy had left his rig in the car most of the summer so he could go to the DZ from work, but it wasn't more than a couple weeks past due. All of these probably would have opened but may have taken extra time, especially in a low speed deployment. I'm a little suprised at a rigger that doesn't want to pack his own rig, even if it's only once a year. I became a rigger because I didn't trust anyone else, and I've gained a reputation as being the "picky" and "thorough" rigger in the area. Anyway, here in MI I charge $40 for normal inspect and repack and don't usually charge much for other maintenance needed. Terry

But there is no Raven III. There is a Super Raven III and a Raven 3 and a Raven 249-M. And when your dealing with skydivers, nothing is obvious. But I agree with you, with a III it should have been a Dash M. But, this wouldn't be the first person wanting to use a Dash M as a main. Had someone ask me just 4 weeks ago. Time to go home and pull out my Dash M to send in for more sewing. BTW, you need that bikini slider?

Chillout riggerrob, You and I might be able to read, but not everyone else can. And if it's really new and uses a Roman numeral its a Super Raven, not a Raven. Just trying to cover all of the bases. And Dash-M's are Ravens, just a different version. And some of use old farts translate sq ft to the Super Raven sizes. Anybody need a bikini slider? :)

The descriptions that have been given over the years at PIA symposia indicates that the Cypres does use a filtering/averaging algorithm. And takes into account the location on the back in the burble. A major part of the product development was the algorithm design. No instantaneous change, especially well above the freefly breakoff of app. 4000' will be enough to meet the firing conditions. Sustained fall on your back might cause it to go off closer to 1000'. But, still if your going that fast at a grand you want it to fire. Also of note, the Cypres has two processors, one doing the main work and one performing diagnostics on the unit. We'll all get to go out and play with them in 3 years when they start becoming paper weights.

First, if it's a dash-m it doesn't have a main PC bridle attachment. It would be difficult but maybe not impossible to for a skilled rigger to add one. I don't know if Precision would, I doubt it. If it isn't a Dash-M, the next question is - Are you talking about traditional accuracy, i.e. foot placement on the 2.5 cm target, or are you talking about general PRO rating accuracy/sport accuracy, i.e. standup accuracy? It really isn't the ideal canopy for either one. Depending on you size you would probably want something with a higher performance wing for sport accuracy. This is often now swoop in until you get to the target, shut the forward speed down and set down, rather than set up a 300 ft high steep approach that migh leave you landing hard. On the other hand, again depending on your size, the Raven might be okay for starting to learn the high steep approach of traditional accuracy, expecting not to stand up. Obviously hitting the peas or tuffet is important then. I doubt that you would find it suitable for advancing in traditional accuracy to competition.

Well, the card in my wallet says "Medical First Responder License". And, the MI web site calls it a license when I look up what I have, the same as my paramedic friends. So, I guess you can call it what you want. I'll call it what the state does. MFR license # 3204001622

As I understand the intent of the design, and pack it per the instructions, your scenario is possible but not likely. The catapult PC is packed under a small flap at the top of the container. If the main PC with its spring doesn't clear the burble it's unlikely (but not impossible) the catapult is going to get into the wind. The intent is for the wide bridle to be able to deploy the catapult if the main PC is captured, and the catapult PC to then be able to deploy the free bag. Like I said before, I believe that it will save more lives than it takes, but anything's possible.

I have an early Reflex and have it installed on mine. The volume really isn't an issue. Where the catapult PC goes isn't really filled very well without it. It helps fill the area at the top of the regular PC and below the yolk. I believe with the method its attached and packed, it will save more lives than it takes. It's fairly well accepted that the normal wide freebag bridle will have a hard time deploying a bag by itself in case of a horseshoe. Many manufacturers now have "assist" pockets on their bridles. Just think of this as a big assist pocket. Since Fliteline TSO'd the rig with (first) and without it it's really up to the individual.

Not having a decent commercial sewing machine dealer nearby I'm look for recommendations and feedback on the various mailorder/internet dealers available. Thanks, Terry

I'm licensed as a medical first responder (MFR) in MI. I agree with most of the above. I wouldn't suggest untrained people, who aren't current, to try to remove a helmet while trying to maintain c spine. But, if they're not breathing a little knowledge may be better than none. One option for the borderline labored breathing. An AMBU bag or many pocket masks may be able to be used with the helmet on. Most skydiving helments fit closer and have larger face shields than motorcycle helmets. There may be room to fit a pocket mask or AMBU bag mask through the opening and onto the face without removing the helmet. A helmet where the chin piece holds the helmet on probably not. A helmet like an Oxygyn, maybe. I think I'll be checking out my equipment with various helmets. This would not work with a simple key chain, shield type mask. It would take a formed mask with oxygen attachment to stick up high enough. May also require an oral or nasal airway to maintain open airway. Not usually available or realistic for untrained persons. I also carry them with my personal kit. Other option is if oxygen is available at least flood the face area so that what they are getting is doing the most good. Again in MI you have to be licensed to admin oxygen. One other thought. Many skydiving helmets fit tighter and are fastened different from motorcyle or football helmets. May want to offer information to EMS on how helmet is fastened if not with a traditional chin strap.

I now a lot of riggers do things like this. Some have demonstrated mats with velco tabs and things to keep it straight. I know this can be done but I've never thought it was worth the risk of turning a riser or hooking it up backwards to save the guy from having to spend ten minutes packing. I'd rather open it up, hook it up, and that gives me a chance to take a quick look at it. Not to mention in the cold northwest this time of year most of the mains have been packed for 4 or 5 months anyway.

If you watch the video closely you'll see Bezzy is actually making three distinct folds. They are onto themselves, not S folds but they are folds. He puts on hand on the canopy to fold around and folds the top or stack over. This is as opposed to putting both hands on the top of the canopy and rolling with your hands and fingers like a sleeping bag. It kind of looks like rolling but its actually folding, and easier to control.

BillVon's got it right, as usual. (But not always ;) You should pick your reserve, then chose a container that fits, then see if the pocket rocket main you want is too small for it. I've had to convince several people not to overload their reserve just because they want a TJ instead of a J1. (substitute favorite rig sizes) When a 220 lb guy wants a J1 I know I'm in trouble. Pack volumes and rig compatability are up for grabs. Each individual canopy can differ from another. The best information is from your experienced rigger, who moans when you tell him what you want to buy. There are lots of combinations and every individual container/reserve combination is unique.

I know the text descriptions of Psycho say "roll it" but it is really FOLD it. Bezzy showed us this at the last PIA symposium. If you look at the pictures at http://precision.aerodynamics.com/psycho/psysteps.htm look where the packers hands are. The canopy is being FOLDed from the top to the lines, not rolled. This is easier to control than just rolling it like a sleeping bag. Check the pictures and you'll see what I mean.

I do the pretty much the same as the other answers. If the main comes in with the rig I almost always have to unpack it to be able to repack the reserve. The main gets reattached, the line continuity checked, I usually check the links, the velco on the PC and rig gets checked (actually usually before the repack). I check the main bridle pin attachment, the main PC attachment french link, the steering lines for wear. I flex the main risers as I reattach it and clean and lubricate the 3 ring cables since most of my customers don't bother. I check the main loop for wear, any spandex for condition. (didn't try to list things in any order) Also check for main service bulletins (i.e. Sunpath main loop grommet cover, Fliteline grommet reset) These are all main things that each skydiver should check but usually don't. What I tell my customers is they will get the main back unpacked, on straight. All of the stuff listed above takes only a couple of minutes and I routinely find maintainence that has been neglected, especially when I get rigs in that I haven't packed before or in awhile. What's scary is some of the stuff I see come in that hasn't been taken care of. I had one rig this year with a list of about 9 things that needed to be taken care of. I don't pack mains (even at extra cost) because everyone packs them a little different and I don't want someone to complain about the opening. They ususally don't complain about the reserve. :) A full main inspection includes looking at every seam, every inch of fabric, every line, etc, etc. That's why a full inspection of the main isn't included.