Reserve closing loop tension

[skinnay 0]

A while ago I had the chance to pull a reserve on the ground and was a little scared how difficult it was to pop. Yes it was a pillow handle, but the difficulty i had was right after the handle was off and the cable was at full tension.

Is there a way I can check the tension on my reserve closing loop? Is it ever common to reduce the tension for people not so big and strong?

[JerryBaumchen 1,468]

Hi skinnay,

Go to paragear.com and look under Rigging Tools, scroll down and you should be able to find:

Item: M5995 PULL CHECK TOOL

It will let you check the actual pull forces req'd to move the ripcord pin without dumping the reserve; if you use it correctly.

Hope that this helps some,

JerryBaumchen

[skinnay 0]

Thats a good idea :)

Is this a required check after a reserve is packed to make sure its under 22lbs?

[indyz 1]

It is required that the pull force be under 22 lbs. It is not required to test it. Most riggers develop a feel for what is acceptable and only do a pull test if they think they are near the limit.

[parachutist 2]

Quote

Is it ever common to reduce the tension for people not so big and strong?

That could be done, but think about other possible issues if you're having trouble pulling the reserve ripcord. What if you have a spinning main canopy? Likely the pull force on the cutaway cable will not be light either.

If the tension was under 22lb and you have difficulties pulling the ripcord, the best idea is to hit the gym so you can handle any situation, IMHO

[pchapman 279]

Quote

Is there a way I can check the tension on my reserve closing loop? Is it ever common to reduce the tension for people not so big and strong?

One can grab the top end of the reserve pin and slowly push it back and forth, to see how easily it slides in the loop.
But that risks breaking the seal thread if one isn't careful, and one would have to get used to what forces are normal. A rigger might have a feel for it but someone else might not.

I don't know how you pulled the handle when testing it, but the pull force feels worse if one applies it slowly, with the slack already taken out. A sharp pull, starting with slack, makes it a lot easier to apply force. Also think about arm position to get good leverage. It may only be when you don't expect much pull force, that the actual pull force seems high. Next time before a repack you might have no problem if punching hard instead of pushing slowly.

At least where I am I don't see riggers adjusting the pull force to match the jumper. But sometimes the pull force may be a little above 22 lbs, particularly if someone likes a small container super tight. You shouldn't have a problem pulling the reserve, but you can always check with your rigger to see that the reserve isn't ending up at the upper limit of allowable pull force -- or at least be aware of it if it is. As a rigger I have for example reminded smaller women with Reflex rigs that their rigs tend to have a pull force at the upper end of the range, so they should not be too casual with their pull.

[erdnarob 1]

The reserve pin tension has to be between 5 and 22 lbs and should be checked by the rigger packing the reserve. To measure it, you take a fish scale and put its hook around the metal handle (out of its pocket) or to a pull cord attached to the cable above the pillow type handle while a friend of yours holds the cable above the pin to avoid a release. Just having the pin move 1/4" is OK.
Even if I understand why some jumpers prefer pillow type handles like the freeflyers, I personally prefer a metal D handle because it stays flat on your chest and since you have a 2 or 3" of extra cable, when you have to pull such a handle, you have already a bit of momentum before the cable ball ending comes in contact with the handle. The momentum is just gained over 2 or 3" but the mass of your hand and arm in motion is contributing to it. That provides an extra force on the pin and the pull seems easier.

Now as a jumper, when your reserve is due after 180 days, you should pull yourself your reserve after doning your rig and thighten all the straps. That will give you the experience and the memory of the amount of force required to release the closing pin. You will be better prepared for a possible actual pull.
As a rigger, I always indicates the amount of force to make the pin moving on the packing card. Beware of reserve too easy to pull. After few days of being packed, the volume of a parachute decreases. In a humid and warm Summer, expect to have even less volume and this induces a decrease of the force for moving the closing pin. One of the worst scenario is to have a premature reserve release, in the airplane door, when doing formation skydiving or at the main deployment and this is generally due with a reserve closing loop with not enough tension (pin moving too easily).

Learn from others mistakes, you will never live long enough to make them all.