HydroGuy 0 #1 December 21, 2006 What are the main concerns (aside from tape shrinkage) to gear from salt water immersions? Line damage? Canopy porosity? Canopy failure? Stitching failure? This is in relation to BASE gear, so I'm not concerned with AAD's or an obvious reserve repackGet in - Get off - Get away....repeat as neccessary Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BlueSBDeath 2 #2 December 21, 2006 When I lived in Hawaii we would have canopy's go into the ocean all the time (well not all the time). We just made sure they were rinsed in clean water afterwards, we would soak them and agitate by had to try to desolve all salt, which when dry would damage lines and canopy. Stay Safe, ArvelBSBD...........Its all about Respect, USPA#-7062, FB-2197, Outlaw 499 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slurp56 0 #3 December 22, 2006 No one's really touched this yet, so I am a bit hesitant... I was actually having this conversation with another jumper the other day. As far as I've always been taught, it was highly emphasized that gear must avoid salt water. Some of the big known problems are discoloration, corroding hardware, and salt crystals getting into the material tearing it up from the inside out, significantly reducing strength. I havent really looked into it, but I think it would be interesting to play with webbing scraps and salt water, then test to failure.________________________________________ I have proof-read this post 500 times, but I guarantee you'll still manage to find a flaw. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kenneth21441 0 #4 December 22, 2006 The big no no with salt water was the days of cotton materials. Since these days items are made of nylon. Just making sure that the nylon is rinsed out completly within a short time after exposure will usually do. in that you change the water at least three times and it does not hurt to do it more then let it hang to dry out of direct sunlight of course. just something to think about.Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #5 December 22, 2006 Go ask the United States Navy SEALS (Special Forces types) because they have thousands of jumps into salt water. The last time I posed this question to a SEAL, he replied that they keep two sets of gear: one set of land landings and a second set for water landings. Only a fool would risk a broken ankle by jumping a "water canopy" onto land. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HydroGuy 0 #6 December 22, 2006 QuoteGo ask the United States Navy SEALS (Special Forces types) because they have thousands of jumps into salt water. The last time I posed this question to a SEAL, he replied that they keep two sets of gear: one set of land landings and a second set for water landings. Only a fool would risk a broken ankle by jumping a "water canopy" onto land. That's exactly the info I am looking for...I have no problem buying an older tarp for saltwater landings and rinsing it out well between fliks...my main interests are if the canopy gets increased porosity, or if it substantially increases the chances of catastrophical failure. Did that SEAL tell you the rinsing procedure they used on a canopy after a salt water landing? Anything that the riggers paid closer attention to when inspecting the water canopies?Get in - Get off - Get away....repeat as neccessary Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
droquette 0 #7 December 28, 2006 I had a friend who had a pretty intense water landing. the canopy was obviously soaked and filled with sand. We hung it up on a clothesline and rinsed every cell repeatedly as well as the lines and the rig itself.. and the reserve. it was left to dry and repacked a couple of days later. this process took a few hours 3+ it was very very thurough. the rig has since had something like 50 jumps on it and it has been about a year since the incident. From what I have been told by the owner of the gear he has had no adverse effects from the water landing. the canopy was a velo 90 something in a Javelin container and had a PD reserve. i hope this helps.HISPA 72 ----- "Muff Brother" 3733 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkeenan 14 #8 December 29, 2006 The damage from the salt comes when it dries, and the crystals attack the fabric. After salt water immersion, it is important to keep the fabric wet, so that the salt crystals don't form. Then rinse the gear in fresh water, cycling the water many times to remove the disolved salt. This is the treatment that the Space Shuttle Booster parachutes get after landing in the ocean. Kevin Kennedy Space Ctr._____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #9 December 30, 2006 Did that SEAL tell you the rinsing procedure they used on a canopy after a salt water landing? Anything that the riggers paid closer attention to when inspecting the water canopies? >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Para-Flite developed that procedure in the late 1980s. I remember discussing it with a US Air Force (Search and Rescue squadron out of Long Island, NY) rigger circa 1990. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
