Switching to left-hand deploy?

[lauras 0]

I'm hoping to field some opinions on switching from right-hand to left-hand deploy.

Background: I had surgery in December, fusing C5&6, fixing some major issues with my right shoulder, arm & hand. After 10 weeks of doing NOTHING, started some moderate PT. Started jumping again in mid-April and ran into trouble with "hard pulls." It appears that I'm just not getting the strength back as quickly as I had anticipated, and just making two jumps a day is frustrating.

So, if you've switched:

- Was it temporary?
- Was it a struggle to adjust?
- Any other issues you might have run into?

Thanks.

[piisfish 140]

I have a friend who switched definitely... but could you still handle a cutaway with your "weak" arm ??

scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM

[slotperfect 7]

I have seen two cases of this. Both had injuries to their right hand that necessitated the switch. Their rigs also had an SOS single point cutaway/reserve deployment system so that all functions could be performed with the left hand.

Arrive Safely

John

[lauras 0]

I'm having trouble with external rotation-type movement, but I'm able to perform push-ups, dips, etc without struggle. I'm not too worried about emergency procedures. But you're right. That is another facet to consider.

[SkymonkeyONE 4]

I have seen left-hand BOC's and SOS handles on a few rigs. Norm Kent jumped that way for quite some time.

[councilman24 37]

I used to have a left hand leg strap throw out, right hand reserve, left hand cutway rig. I actually only wanted a left hand main but they built a complete reversed rig. And I'm right handed. I later switched it to normal before selling it. I jumped a normal rig at the same time.

I had a right hand ripcord, a left hand leg strap and a right hand leg strap that I jumped interchangably. Only reached the wrong way once in about 200 jumps and never got far enough to try to grap a handle. Not an issue for someone aware.

I'm old for my age.
Terry Urban
D-8631
FAA DPRE

[hookitt 1]

Are you strong as far as being able to cutaway?

A skydiver at our DZ had his pull out on the left side for an entire season. He had plenty of cutaway strength but next to none for pulling the main. He has since regained his strength and he is now comfortable using either side.

My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto

[Foggy 0]

I had my C5, 6 and 7 fused in April 2001 and waited 6 months before jumping again. I really worked with my PT to get the strength back in my right hand and arm (was at 50%). Might be the better long term option.

John

[jdfreefly 1]

One of the instructors at my DZ had his shoulder seperated on a skydive.

He has his rig setup left hand. I believe he actually got a rigger to make him a pouch that could work either left or right by having an s-fold of spandex that was sealed on the ends in such a way as to make it work without the possibility of the pc sliding all the way through.

He was fine jumping left or right, as he often borrowed gear from others that was righty, but preffered left on his on gear.

I'd say as long as you are confident in your ability to perform your emergency procedures, it shouldn't be a problem.

Methane Freefly - got stink?

[wingnut 0]

there is a guy at my dz that has switched to left handed BOC because he had shoulder surgery inthe past and it isn't as good now. he can cutaway fine but it is likeothers said the rotational forces he can't do so much...... works great for him....

______________________________________
"i have no reader's digest version"

[riggerrob 643]

During the three years I worked at Rigging Innovations, we only built two Talons with left-handed BOCs.
One guy had his right shoulder shot up in Viet Nam.

Sewing is the easy part.
I strongly encourage you to continue with physiotherapy to rebuild your shoulder strength.

[lauras 0]

Thanks, everyone, for your helpful responses and PMs. They are much appreciated.

[apoil 0]

  Quote

- Was it temporary?
- Was it a struggle to adjust?
- Any other issues you might have run into?

I switched. I had a double pouch put on, basically a right hand deploy pouch on top of a left handed one, so the rig can go either way.

It was no struggle at all. Although I am left handed, and I'd been largely without the use of my right hand for over 2 months.

Because I drilled, and focused, I never went for the handle with the right hand, although I suspect if two or more sudden stressful things went wrong during breakoff, I might have reverted to original training.

I switched to a loop cutaway handle as well because my right wrist just couldn't find the strength to peel that velcro at that angle. Looping the thumb in was effortless. Didn't need it until my hand was nearly recovered.

I ultimately switched back to right hand because that's what's standard, and I didn't want to be switching the day I was jumping borrowed gear, that's just asking for it.

Since I was highly current with the left hand deploy, there were one or two times during the switch back that I started to go for the handle with the left hand. I immediately recognized it and deployed with the correct hand. I like to dump above 3000 to keep everything safe.