Line Twists

[west33freefall 0]

-I made a few jumps the other day and on the first jump of the day I got a pretty good line twist and break release. I deployed stable and straight (I used to spin a bit when reaching the pilot chute, but haven't done so for the past 10 or so jumps.) When my risers came out i some how got smacked in the side of the face with one while looking up at the opening. Once the chute started to inflate I knew I had some line twists and there were going to be a few. Once it inflated I started turning a decently hard left turn and was rolling into more line twists. I reached up to stop myself from more line twists. As I did I noticed my right toggles break lines were undone. It took me a good 10-20 secs to get out of the twists and I broke the left breaks free and got out of the spiral. Does this sound like my fault or packing error? And what should I do to avoid this? I was also considering very likely that I was going to cutaway? All my instructors say I have good judgement but how close does it sound like I should be cutting away?

- I don't know if I am crazy or not but I don't neccessarily love situations like this but I like them. They really make you think and get your heart rate up. I love that feeling of getting out of bad situations. It makes you feel alive.

[labrys 0]

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All my instructors say I have good judgement but how close does it sound like I should be cutting away?

One of the factors you didn't mention is how close to the ground you were when you deployed and how close to the ground you were when you cleared the twists.

What's your hard deck and did you go through it? Did you look at your altimeter at all during that 15-20 seconds you were trying to clear the problem?

Owned by Remi #?

[west33freefall 0]

I wave off and deploy at 4000, And when i get line twist I always look my altimeter as I am trying to get out. I.E. with my hands up on the risers and my altimeter slightly tilted down so I can see it as I look up. I can't remember how low I actually was but I am sure I wasn't lower than 2500ft. Also at what point would everyone else cut away in similar situations, It seems like everybody has slightly different opinions on this.

[labrys 0]

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I can't remember how low I actually was but I am sure I wasn't lower than 2500ft. Also at what point would everyone else cut away in similar situations, It seems like everybody has slightly different opinions on this.

If you cleared the problem above your hard deck then it's my opinion that you did the right thing. I also would say that you did the right thing if you decided to cut away. It's your decision and yours alone. Some people might say that not trying to clear a problem all the way to your hard deck robs you of a little extra margin of safety but I'm not inclined to second guess anyone.

Everyone has the option to choose what their own hard deck will be. I'm betting that's why you hear different opinions. When I started, I stuck with the USPA student recommendation of 2500 feet for students for a while. Now that I've had a few cutaways and have a few jumps I've lowered it to 1800 feet.

Owned by Remi #?

[Sletzer 3]

What they said. It's 100% your choice with how long to fight a mal because it's 100% your ass on the line, and no one elses. Definitely have a hard deck in mind and stick with it! If you can't clear the problem, get rid of it.

Good job on fixing the problem. Just make sure you're prepared to cut away if you can't fix the problem by your hard deck. A nuisance becomes a malfunction at that time. It can be very easy to say: just one more thing, let me just do this, almost got it..... untill you coast lower than you should.






(Being the hundred jump wonder that I am, my hard deck is 350 feet. I wouldn't recomend that though, I've got catlike reflexes and the speed of a mongoose!)

I will be kissing hands and shaking babies all afternoon. Thanks for all your support! *bows*

SCS #8251

[billvon 3,118]

>When my risers came out i some how got smacked in the side of the
>face with one while looking up at the opening.

How were you looking up at the opening? Did you throw your PC and then look over your shoulder? That can cause line twists.

>All my instructors say I have good judgement but how close does it
>sound like I should be cutting away?

Depends on your altitude. If you have not cleared the line twists by decision altitude, then cut away and open your reserve.

[kkeenan 14]

The released brake could be caused by a few things. There are several brake-locking systems in use. Have a knowledgable person look at the brake-locking system to see if there is wear or something that would cause a premature release. Make sure that you are setting the brakes properly. It shouldn't happen on a system that is in good shape and set properly.

_____________________________________
Dude, you are so awesome...
Can I be on your ash jump ?

[west33freefall 0]

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How were you looking up at the opening? Did you throw your PC and then look over your shoulder? That can cause line twists.

I throw the pilot chute and as soon as I feel some pulling i look straight up as far as I can see or just slightly over my shoulder. and watch the opening. I think because some of the line twists were low in my risers it pulled them pretty close to my face.

[billvon 3,118]

>i look straight up as far as I can see or just slightly over my shoulder.

Try to avoid looking over your shoulder. That tends to cause one shoulder to dip. The canopy then opens asymmetrically and you can get line twist.

[kelpdiver 2]

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The released brake could be caused by a few things. There are several brake-locking systems in use. Have a knowledgable person look at the brake-locking system to see if there is wear or something that would cause a premature release. Make sure that you are setting the brakes properly. It shouldn't happen on a system that is in good shape and set properly.

he mentioned that the riser may have struck his face - this could have released the brake. I had that happen a couple times in a short sequence - fixed my deploy positioning and haven't seen it since. Nothing like getting a smack in the head, then opening into what seems like a really nasty death spiral (nasty as a 1.1 square chute can be).