Tear Drop poptop issues?

[vonSanta 0]

I've searched this forum for info about the pro/cons and possible problems with poptops - much on reflexes and racers, but very little on Tear Drops.

I use a Tear Drop (from '95 IIRC) and I really don't know much about the poptop issue. If I read it correctly on the other threads (clicky and clicky) it's a one pin design.

Possibly issues might be line snag, hard pull and problems finding a rigger experienced with the design - again I got that from reading those threads.

Now, reading those threads have raised some concerns. For one, there's no telling what the pull force will be until I either have a mal (and by then it'd be too late to do something about it) or pull it prior to a repack (and then it'd be an academic issue, because the next repack might be different). There was also talk about the closing loop loosening, causing the poptop to stick out more and be more prone to catching lines. And talk about someone then fixing it by tightening it, causing a hard pull. Someone also mentioned something about "closing it from the outside" being an issue, but that didn't make too much sense to me. If someone could shed light on it, I'd appreciate it.

The closing pin is protected behind a flap. It's on the front of the rig (as in facing my back when i wear it), so it's very well protected - I like that, especially as someone I jump with had her "normal" reserve pin get caught on the pilot's seat of a C-206T when the pilot did some zero-g stuff - plop, the pc on the reserve shot out.

But these other issues have me a little concerned. Anyone care to educate me a bit?

Santa Von GrossenArsch
I only come in one flavour
ohwaitthatcanbemisunderst

[skydiverek 63]

  Quote

For one, there's no telling what the pull force will be until I either have a mal (and by then it'd be too late to do something about it) or pull it prior to a repack (and then it'd be an academic issue, because the next repack might be different)

There are devices that let you check the pull force without dumping the rig. Check Paragear catalog for item M5995. Here is a copied description:

"PULL CHECK TOOL

By inserting the hook in the size 0 grommet of the reserve container, and the ripcord cable in the slot of the pull check tool, you can check the pull force of the reserve ripcord without opening the container. This device does not work on the top pin of some pilot rigs where the angle of the pull is extreme.
Shipping Weight: 4 oz. (110g). Item Price: $21.00"

Picture is copyright protected so I cannot attach it here...

[Adriandavies 0]

First I am not a rigger but I have seen my regular rigger tighten my pop top in about 3 seconds flat. Second I have found it to be a little vulnerable when clambering about in the back of some planes such as a Caravan. I caught the cover of the pop top on the roof. This didn't damage the rig in any way aat all but it could have resulted in the fabric cover going AWOL. Apart from that I am very happy with my rig, a TSE Classic by the way.

[riggerrob 643]

The first argument has been around as long as Pop-Top reserves have been in production (about 30 years) and the second argument has been circulating since adjustable closing loops were introduced 20 years ago.
Yada, yada ...
However, we rarely hear of accidents attributed to Pop-Tops.
This is largely an academic argument or justification after the decision has already been made.
I suspect that most of the arguments/scare stories are invented by people who work for manufacturers other than Jump Shack, Fliteline and Thomas Sports Equipment.

I CHALLENGE THE CRITICS TO FIND USPA ACCIDENT REPORTS WHERE POP-TOPS WERE A FACTOR.

And no, we are not interested in third-hand: "my ex-girlfriend's whuffo brother-n-law knew a guy..."

[vonSanta 0]

Thanks for your answers chaps, appreciate it.

Santa Von GrossenArsch
I only come in one flavour
ohwaitthatcanbemisunderst

[Remster 30]

  Quote

I CHALLENGE THE CRITICS TO FIND USPA ACCIDENT REPORTS WHERE POP-TOPS WERE A FACTOR.

I'm not a critic, in fact I jump a Reflex, and still like the rig.

But It the fact that the Reflex is a pop top was a factor in my premature on exit out of a Grand Caravan 2-1/2 years ago.

The Pop top was tight, but I still manage to get it cought on the floating bar (insite the door) when I was diving out, causing the reserve to open on exit.

I'm 6'2" and I wasnt hunching over enough on exit (that the primary cause of the premature in my eyes, but the same events on a non-pop-top rig woult in all probability not resulted in any unusual events)

Remster

[riggerrob 643]

Reflex is a pop top was a factor in my premature on exit out of a Grand Caravan 2-1/2 years ago.

The Pop top was tight, but I still manage to get it caught on the floating bar (inside the door) when I was diving out, causing the reserve to open on exit.


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Finally! A first-hand account of an accident that is directly related to a Pop-Top.

On a similar note, we have learned - the hard way - that students can pre-maturely deploy any rig (Reflex, Telesis, etc.) in the doorway, just by slamming it repeatedly into the door frame, long enough and hard enough to break the loop.

[rigging65 0]

  Quote

The Pop top was tight, but I still manage to get it cought on the floating bar (insite the door) when I was diving out, causing the reserve to open on exit.

Kind of hard to fault the rig for you not getting low enough in the door though, don't you think?

For those that simply can't help the temptation to scratch their backs with the door frame, there are flap mods available to help protect your poor pop-top cap.

"...and once you had tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward.
For there you have been, and there you long to return..."

[Remster 30]

  Quote

Kind of hard to fault the rig for you not getting low enough in the door though, don't you think?

As I said, I mostly blame me for not getting low enough (you did read my whole post didnt you?), but as with most (if not all) incidents, its a chain of event that causes the issue. In this case, not getting low enough was in my eyes the primary cause, but this would not have been an issue on this jump with a non exposed pop-top. Considering that even with a tight pop-top, the fairly thick handle managed to get under it with the force of 5 people pushing on it (I was an early diver), I'm not 100% sure flaps would have helped.


And if I faulted the rig, I wouldnt be jumping it still

Remster

[rigging65 0]

  Quote

Considering that even with a tight pop-top, the fairly thick handle managed to get under it with the force of 5 people pushing on it (I was an early diver), I'm not 100% sure flaps would have helped.

I think you might be surprised. We did some pretty intense testing on the kits before we released them, and found that all you really need is just a bit of deflection and the whole problem goes away. In your circumstance, maybe not, but I'd be willing to bet it would have prevented the primi.

"...and once you had tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward.
For there you have been, and there you long to return..."