US Navy Speed Links

[riggerrob 643]

Rather than hijack another thread - about military-surplus L-bar connector links - I am answering buddy's question on a new thread.
Military L-bar links are used on Strong and Vector tandem reserves.
I suspect that his question was about US Navy Speed Links. I suspect that BPA banned them for the same reason that CSPA banned them ...
US Navy Speed Links look like L-bar links from a distance, but they only have one screw on one end. Those screws have short threads that are very easy to strip if you apply more muscle than skill. If the screw loosens - or strips, then it is easy for the gate to slide and any end-loading can easily remove the end piece and all the lines will fall off.
The US Navy recognized this problem decades ago and manufactured a fix. The fix is a small, red rubber safety cap that slips around the open end, preventing the gate from lossening even if the screw is missing.
The problem is that none of these red rubber covers made it to the civilian side.
Despite repacking over 3,000 reserves, including 1,000 pilot emergency parachutes, I have only seen one set of red rubber safety covers.
US Navy Speed Links are banned from service if they lack red rubber safety covers, since red rubber safety covers never made it to the civilian side, US Navy Speed Links are banned from civilian use in Britain and Canada.
They should also be banned form civilian use in the United States because - without red rubber safety covers - you cannot "assemble them in accordance with the appropriate military manual."
Besides, the last US civilian production item including US Navy Speed Links was GQ Security's 350 pilot emergency parachute and that factory closed 21 years ago. Meanwhile, GQ Defence says not to repack any of their products more than 13 years old. You do the math.

[councilman24 37]

While "banning" something, especially an item made under a military drawing, is probably impossible under today's U.S. laws, most "old" riggers know the dangers of speed links. There is a picture in Poynter's original manual of a broken speed link missing the end plate. I have to admit though that I never new about the red cover. I doubt that newer riggers are being trained about some of these esoteric things.

Up there with blast handles on the reserves and unreinforced plastic ripcord handles.

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

[darkwing 5]

Quote

...Up there with blast handles on the reserves and unreinforced plastic ripcord handles.

Hey, I still think that a blast handle is good!

-- Jeff
My Skydiving History

[stratostar 5]

We still have some on our retro rigs (with center drilled out) However to the untrained eye and the untrained user they can be a bad thing.

As for "speed links" we have a box full of them around the loft (not for use) I have seen a number of non rigger young jumpers use tools and other stuff like speed links, when they have no idea of what it is or how to use it the right way.
And this too can be a BIG problem, I could see some of todays dumbasses getting a hold of some old speed links and using them with out a clue as to the danger and with out seeking out those who do know, to ask about using them.
So in short for all you non rated riggers out there reading this, stay the fuck out of the loft if you don't have a ticket and keep your hands off our tools!

~

you can't pay for kids schoolin' with love of skydiving! ~ Airtwardo

[mjosparky 4]

Quote

US Navy Speed Links are banned from service if they lack red rubber safety covers, since red rubber safety covers never made it to the civilian side,

I know someone who has a whole box of those little red things sitting in his garage.
Sparky

My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals

[mr2mk1g 10]

Thanks, that clears up the questions I had perfectly.