Jumping in Saltwater?

[james309 0]

This summer I am going to be doing a lot of water jumps. As a fisherman I know that saltwater is hell on everything, so I know it can't be good for skydiving gear. My question is this; how bad is it for my gear? I have the ability to have a chase boat, and I plan on doing a lot of Saltwater landings. Should I buy an older "cheap" rig? Or can I use my normal rig?

You only live once, but If you live like I did once is enough.

[phoenixlpr 0]

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Should I buy an older "cheap" rig?

That can the be way. And wash your gear with fresh water after contact of salt water.

Anyway, why do you want to jump into salt water?

[billvon 3,090]

>Should I buy an older "cheap" rig? Or can I use my normal rig?

It's going to expose your canopy and container to a LOT of wear/corrosion. Most people use a second rig with crappy canopies since your descent rate on landing doesn't matter as much. Such a rig can generally be had for a few hundred $$. (Say, a Northern Light or an old Racer with a 26' lopo and a Cruislite.)

[LouDiamond 1]

An article on the effects of saltwater on parachuting gear can be found HERE

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[james309 0]

Thanks for your help everyone. What would you recommend as a cheap rig I can use for saltwater jumps. I would prefer something I could use for freefall, so I am not limited to hop n pops. I won't be freeflying on these jumps, so I just need something that is airworthy.

You only live once, but If you live like I did once is enough.

[milehighpres 0]

when doing any saltwater jumps, make sure your rig is out of the water and sunlight asap. sunlight is the first thing to start to fade your rig. put it in a black garbage bag. then make sure it is put in a fresh water rinse. pop the reserve and everything. if you have the ability make sure you can rinse it 3 times. using new fresh water everytime. a mild soap may also be used in the first rinse.and then hang everything to dry completly...unless you are just going to jump the rig in the water again ...soon like within a few (2-5) days

"the sky is not the limit....the ground is"