tsonka 0 #1 February 13, 2005 Im going through the IAD method (4 jumps) and have a question. Ok this question is assumeing the gear is in good condition and fits / is adjusted properly. After your under canpoy and your body weight is being supported by the leg straps, is it possible the leg straps could begin to loosen themselves (webbing begin to slide through the adjustment hardware)? If this would happen are there any safeguards designed into rigs to prevent the straps from comeing comletely undone? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
firstime 0 #2 February 13, 2005 ***After your under canpoy and your body weight is being supported by the leg straps, is it possible the leg straps could begin to loosen themselves (webbing begin to slide through the adjustment hardware)? anything is possible but some things are highly improbable. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tsonka 0 #3 February 13, 2005 Aye, but in automobile seatbelts the end of the belt webbing is folded over and sewn so that it is too fat to fit throuhg the buckle. I had this thought while under canopy and just now remembered that I was gonna look / ask instructor this question Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #4 February 13, 2005 If this happens you'll stay in the rig (unless you fold up like a rag doll)....however you won't be able to reach the slider or toggles. If leg straps slide down it is a sign that the hardware is worn out and must be replaced. A Master Rigger can do this, but most likely will opt to send it back to the manufacturer. ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bch7773 0 #5 February 13, 2005 QuoteAye, but in automobile seatbelts the end of the belt webbing is folded over and sewn so that it is too fat to fit throuhg the buckle. take a look at the harness leg straps. they have the same thing MB 3528, RB 1182 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #6 February 13, 2005 QuoteIf leg straps slide down it is a sign that the hardware is worn out and must be replaced. IMO it's more likely that either the fit of the rig is very bad (as can be with student gear), it wasn't put on correctly in the first place, or the webbing is worn. Hardware is pretty hard to wear out. Some people like to rub wax on the webbing when they have this problem, I'm not to keen on that. If the webbing isn't going to be replaced, then maybe adding a friction strip would fix the problem, but it's really a big band-aid. As for falling out, well that's not likely.---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #7 February 13, 2005 QuoteIMO it's more likely that either the fit of the rig is very bad (as can be with student gear), it wasn't put on correctly in the first place, or the webbing is worn. Hardware is pretty hard to wear out. Perhaps. Your experience with various kinds of rigs is broader than mine. The only rig I've personally seen with this problem was one that the hardware was definitely worn out. A Master Rigger determined that. It was sent back to the factory where the hardware was replaced. ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #8 February 13, 2005 Anything can happen.---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tombuch 0 #9 February 13, 2005 QuoteQuote... or the webbing is worn. Hardware is pretty hard to wear out. Perhaps. Your experience with various kinds of rigs is broader than mine. The only rig I've personally seen with this problem was one that the hardware was definitely worn out. A Master Rigger determined that. It was sent back to the factory where the hardware was replaced. In my experience (4,500 jumps, instructor, rigger, etc.) it is more likely the webbing is worn out. Hardware is pretty solid stuff. Webbing, however, can and does begin to wear out and slide over time. Take a close look at the webbing. Check the color and texture of the webbing on the sides and center, both front and back. Look for changes, generally a slight gloss or shiny appearance. It's not really a big deal, and is actually common to some degree on many older rigs. As was mentioned in a prior thread, the leg strap webbing should be folded and sewn so it can't slide out by accident. Check this too. Sometimes owners cut their leg straps to reduce the extra webbing, and then fail to fold and sew. You shouldn't see this on any rig, and that's especially true on a student rig, but it can (and does) happen. As for the harm of worn leg straps, you will probably not fall out as long as they are folded and sewn. However, slipping leg straps can cause a poor harness fit at opening, and a misload. That can be painful, or even worse. Slipping leg straps also put the chest strap closer to your neck at opening, and that's not a good thing. Hey, slipping leg straps will also make it harder (or perhaps impossible) to reach your toggles, another negative experience. So, check your leg straps for wear, and if it is a new rig to you, a rental, or student rig, also check to confirm they are sewn over.Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mailin 0 #10 February 13, 2005 I had a leg strap slip in free fall The slack came free from the elastic/fabric band and started flapping around and before I knew it my right leg strap had loosened and slipped down to the back of my knee... scared the crap out of me. After I opened and started a really neat spin from the uneven harness I was able to tighten the strap and fly straight. Needless to say I am much more careful about gear checks now The container was a student one (a javelin but not a student javelin)... and only a few weeks old JenArianna Frances Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ehaecker 0 #11 February 13, 2005 I am also a student (only 2 AFF jumps so far) and I also have a question about leg straps. Both jumps I have done so far, I have noticed that the leg straps make the insides of my legs hurt pretty bad, especially when bringing my knees together etc... Is there something I can do (body position etc...) to reduce this? Or is it a normal thing that everybody has to get used to? It didn’t seem to bother me as much on my second jump as it did my first. I asked one of my friends about it and she told me to cross my legs at the ankles, but that didn't seem to help. Any advice would be great, Thanks!-------------------------------------------------------- "Just follow your heart, that's what I do." -Napolean Dynamite Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #12 February 13, 2005 QuoteI am also a student (only 2 AFF jumps so far) and I also have a question about leg straps. Both jumps I have done so far, I have noticed that the leg straps make the insides of my legs hurt pretty bad, especially when bringing my knees together etc... Is there something I can do (body position etc...) to reduce this? Or is it a normal thing that everybody has to get used to? It didn’t seem to bother me as much on my second jump as it did my first. I asked one of my friends about it and she told me to cross my legs at the ankles, but that didn't seem to help. Any advice would be great, Thanks! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Welcome to the world of one-size-fits-nobody student harnesses. I suspect that the pain in your inner thighs was caused by leg straps sliding up in your crotch. The trick is tightening leg straps HIGH in your crotch. Straps are going to slide to the top of your crotch during opening shock, so you might as well start your skydive with leg straps where they are going to end up. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,090 #13 February 14, 2005 >is it possible the leg straps could begin to loosen themselves (webbing > begin to slide through the adjustment hardware)? Yes. This actually happens more often in freefall than under canopy; most friction adapters are pretty good at locking under load but can allow some slippage under moderate tension (as with tight legstraps in freefall.) With worn webbing the adapters can slip under load as well, though. Fixes include: 1. better stowing of legstrap tails 2. addition of a backing strip to increase friction through the adapter 3. addition of a friction adapter spring 4. replacement of legstrap/adapter >If this would happen are there any safeguards designed into rigs to > prevent the straps from comeing comletely undone? Yes. The ends are sewn such that it's hard for them to fit through the adapter backwards. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GravityGirl 0 #14 February 14, 2005 Are you saying that this is happening? Or are you asking if you can loosen your leg straps in hopes for a more comfortable ride? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
