unsolicited 'fixing' of gear

[lippy 918]

At a boogie last month I was standing up in the front of the Skyvan getting ready to go. I'd just stood up and I see a hand go FLYING for my reserve handle. He said that the handle was dangling outside the MLW and he put it back in the velcro, but I didn't see or feel anything of the sort.

So I kinda freaked on the guy in the plane, then on the ground talked a little calmer about not grabbing somebody's gear in the plane. If you see a problem, bring it to their attention before you start lunging at reserve handles.

Later that day I was standing in the loading area and felt somebody touching my rig (A Reflex with the flaplette mod on the pop-top). I turned around and the guy tells me that he was tucking in a loose tab. The ONLY tab on my rig is the main tab and that thing is bullet-proof, so I reached up and touched the flaplette and sure enough, it was tucked in under the pop-top. I couldn't get the flaplette back out without taking the rig off and I decided that it wasn't going to adversly affect a reserve deployment if I needed one, so I just left it alone. Once back on the ground, I showed him the rig and what those flaps do/where they should be, and suggested that he talk to somebody before they start messing with their gear.

I appreciate that there are eyes scanning for gear problems, but WTF? This happened twice in one day, with people I barely knew. Maybe I've been gone too long and etiquette has changed, but I NEVER touch somebody's rig without identifying myself, identifying the 'problem' and asking if they want me to fix it.

I realize there are exceptions here, like students or between people who know each other well and trust each other, but would you just walk up to somebody at a boogie and start 'fixing' their shit?

I got nuthin

[Andy9o8 2]

I generally don't like people handling my rig in the plane w/o asking first. But there are exceptions for "urgent" situations - like when an about-to-pop reserve is at imminent risk of killing everyone in the plane. Since I wasn't there, you're in a better position than I to tell us whether that was such a situation.

[lippy 918]

He says it was dangling, but I didn't see it or feel any tension on the MLW which would have sucked it out of the velcro. I checked the velcro back on the ground and it's strong enough that I think I'd feel the handle being extracted.

Also, in the split second that passed between seeing where his hand was going and looking there myself, I didn't see a floating reserve handle. It was very little time for him to re-seat it and close the velcro.

Maybe it's possible that I was distracted and my reserve handle was extracted, and then he put it back at lightning fast speeds, but I'm not conviced.

I got nuthin

[jimmytavino 16]

exactly.....
by 'front of the skyvan'.. do you mean UP near the pilots, or "at the front of the group to exit"... i. e. near the exit area of the tailgate...? different location could mean a different reaction by those around you...

It is best, to scan with our eyes. bring attention to the jumper, with our voice, ( calmly), and ONLY issue assistance with our HAND(s),, if asked, by that jumper...

it IS good to look at the gear of others in the plane, or better yet, when at Pre-board".. if a mistake needs to be noticed...

but the active fixing of others gear, especially when it isn't needed ,requires a lot more than just THINKING something is amiss, especially when time is not a constraint.

lets keep the 'freaking out' on one another, to a minimum, both in the plane and on the ground
jt
a 3914
d12122

jmy

[slotperfect 7]

I am always looking at other people's gear - I have always been that way. I find stuff all the time, d-handle reserve ripcords popping out of the bottom of the pocket being one of the most common things I find.

On the ground or on the climb, I introduce myself, tell them about the issue, and ask their permission to fix it. Studens - I tell their Instructor. Fellow Tandem Instructors - I fix it without asking; we take care of each other.

If the door is open and we are about to jump and I find something on someone's rig, I forego the introduction and point out the issue then ask permission to fix it.

Arrive Safely

John

[lippy 918]

Front of the Skyvan as in behind the pilots. I was last out on a 19ish-way and he was a wingsuiter

I got nuthin

[skydude2000 3]

Well it's good to see that we still look out for each other, at least he was paying attention. But I agree, I think the worst I would do is mention it to the person, and ask to fix it, unless you know the jumper well and are very familiar with their gear.

I've gotten various reactions from numerous jumpers, from wearing my left-handed rig. The most common being, 'where the fuck is your pilot chute?' Not that I wouldn't notice someone trying to 'fix' that for me, but either way, at best it would mean a change of underwear after I landed, at worst, a no-pull and a reserve ride. Neither of which, I'd want to deal with.

I think if we're gonna do gear checks on the plane, arrange it before-hand, and if something doesn't look right, mention it, and ask first.

PULL!! or DIE!!

[BUBLHED 0]

The person should have asked or told you about your handle. But seriously why would he make up a percieved problem? He may have saved your life. We'll never know but I personally want people looking me over as I will look them over. ( I wouldn't touch anyones gear w/o permission though, unless it is an imminent threat) I think he did the right thing but in the wrong way.

ATTACK LIFE ! IT'S GOING TO KILL YOU ANYWAY!!!!

[lippy 918]

I certainly don't think he made it up or did it out of malice, but based on his reaction, I don't think he spent a lot of time thinking about it.

Maybe he thought he saw something and made his move, I dunno

I got nuthin

[hackish 8]

My tuck tabs always pop out. More than once people have brought this to my attention and normally they offer to fix it then do. I don't mind. If a handle pops out and someone grabs the MLW to bring it to my attention fine. If a handle has popped out I should be doing a better job of watching my own shite.

-Michael

[likestojump 3]

I watch other peoples shit, but never touch - just bring it to their attention. I will tuck back in, do pin checks, whatever - but only if asked.

the most unsolicited thing I would do would be to lightly pull the chest strap of someone I am jumping with while they see what I am ABOUT to do.

I pretty much agree with most posters in this thread - don't touch other peoples shit unless an accident is imminent - just let them know about it.

[skydude2000 3]

By 'accident is imminent', an example of this would be a loose pilot chute, yes? That seems to me like it could be a serious issue for everyone on the plane, in a worst case scenario.

Any other instances there might be, that could create imminent danger for all involved? I still wouldn't jump at anyone's gear, I just think it's good to keep an eye out for this shit.

I remember sitting behind another jumper once, and something looked funny about their reserve pin. I don't remember what kind of rig it was, but I think the end of the pin had slipped out of a little pocket on the top of the reserve. I asked another jumper about it, who said it was ok for that jump, but to have her get the rigger to fix the pin after she landed.

PULL!! or DIE!!

[rehmwa 2]

"freaked on the guy in the plane"

That's really bad.

---Thanks for looking out for me, next time, if you see anything on someone's gear, point it out to them before ever touching it. OK?---


I think it's great we scan each others' gear.

I never touch a rig without asking first - pin checks included.

I hate unsolicited checks of all kinds - but I recognize the intention is usually good. So a polite response is the best, IMO. I have very few exceptions that I'd actually be ok with them mucking about without permission (a couple of my teammates, the wife, a couple riggers - that's about it) - but each of them would tell me first anyway.



Some people out there are not qualified to touch their own gear, let alone someone else's. I worry about those people mostly. And you can't tell who they are by looking at them.


Edit: emergencies???? Yeah, if I'm walking to the door and my pilot chute falls out, I'd be super grateful to the guy that dives on the PC while stopping me from walking further. Different item though.

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants