Keeping your Z1 on

[Jumperpaula 0]

2/12/02

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Mine has come off my head and bounced three times in 4 years.
No kidding, last time was just this weekend. I have the smallest liner they make, but I felt the risers grab it and twist it off like a corkscrew.
Since Im such a pro at loosing it, I circled, watched it bounce, landed by it. Broken screw on one side. Fixed it in about 3 minutes. Got my Pro-track back to ( the important part!) it was about 2 feet away.
Last time, broke the same screw. First time, broke one screw and the Plastic visor. Easy to fix. So you tell me? Good luck helmet or bad luck helmet?

Make that 4 times. Really bad opening, corkscrewed off my head and lost my protrack this time.
Found the Z1 though, broken visor.
I guess Im going to ...replace the elastic with cord? Get an A3?
Fly Your Slot !

[skycat 0]

how about gaffers taping it to your head

[Remster 30]

damm bad luck.... i guess there's something in your setup (helmet, rig, body shape...) that doesnt work.... I love my Z1, but sounds like its time for a change for you......
Remster
Muff 914

[skycat 0]

Actually I tried an oxygen on, it was a Med and a little to big for me, but that thing wasn't coming off, on the ground both Derek and Tom (one of the JM's from Waller) tried to get it off my head and couldn't. So you might want to try one of those, I'm actually thinking about getting a factory diver cause I don't need the flip up face shield. Just wish someone had a small I could try on to make sure it would fit right.

[Merrick 0]

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"how about gaffers taping it to your head"

ROFL - Why not, it works for everything else!
That's odd actually, I love my Z1 as well... and have never had it come off. I actually have some serious scars on it from an evil evil opening a few months ago, but it never even hinted to being twisted off. As in every other aspect of this sport, a person needs to find what works best for them, this is obviously just another one of those things... maybe it is a time for a change. "Pammi's Hemp/Skydiving Jewelry"

[Dumpster 0]

I also have a Z-1 but have never had a problem close to that- I understand though all the Z-1's are the same size shell with different thickness liners- So it may be you should consider a new helmet. My next will most likely be an A-3, as I have heard nothing but high praise for them- My.02!!! --
Life begins at 14,000' - Shut up and jump!

[skymedic 0]

I saw this happen this weekend...girl had a cutaway....her helmet got popped off(Z-1)...still dont know if they found it...what sucked for her is she had line twistes on her main...cutaway(with an RSL)....and then had line twists on her reserve.....
marc
BSBD

[GrumpySmurf 0]

I think it was Tammy (man, I am bad with names) - the blonde gal with the Aussie accent, she appeared somewhat shaken up afterwards and walking with a limp - poor thing, I had to leave before dark, else it wouldn't have been, "Make the girl buy the beer for her first cutaway", it would have been, "Buy the girl lots of beer for her first cutaway.". So if you see her, buy her a beer From what I could gather, the reserve risers popped off the helmet - appears it was found afterwards, though rather badly beaten up.

[mnischalke 0]

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on the ground both Derek and Tom (one of the JM's from Waller) tried to get it off my head and couldn't

I have a dremel tool and can help you get it off if you are tired of wearing it yet.
Actually, I don't even have to buckle my chinstrap my Z1 is so tight. I actually lost wind tunnel time because I went in with it unbuckled. The dude held me to the grate until I fastened the thing.
If you have a problem with your helmet, contact Unfeathered at www.unfeathered.com. T2 should be able to help you out.
mike
The Lord giveth and the M-79 taketh away. Welcome to the world of zero slack.

[Jumperpaula 0]

I was thinking Risers too...
What if...I took out the elastic and replaced it with good cord..then there would be no "give" when the risers slapped it, but do you think that would hurt my neck?
Part of me says better to loose the helmet than to have my neck whacked.
Fly Your Slot !

[dove 0]

I'm on my 2nd Z-1. I used to tighten my first one up so much I was teased that I was gonna cut circulation off to my head. But a friend lost hers on a hard opening so I was paranoid about losing mine. Never had a problem until that midair collision I had last August. Someone slammed into me while freeflying (broke 2 ribs among other injuries) and when he hit me it was hard enough to knock my helmet off my head, which in turn cause me to bite my tongue almost completely off. I got a replacement Z-1 but only wore it twice since on the second jump the elastic broke... so I did a hop n pop. I called for a replacement elastic and it arrived 4 months later... incidentally the day I broke my leg! But I am now so addicted to my bonehead I wouldn't use it unless I was belly flying anyhow. Not much of a confidence booster to always be worried yer gonna lose your expensive helmet with your even more expensive protrack (yes, I lost mine on that fateful day)!

[axe96bam 0]

I have had my z-1 for 3 years and never had a problem with it. I love but to each their own. Try a different full face, see what you like.
Alex

[AndyMan 7]

I hate my Z-1, but have never had this problem.
Stupid question, but you are doing up the chin strap, right? (yeah, I know - stupid question...)
If mine had come off three times already I would've ditched it then... not wait until I lost the protrack.
_Am
ICQ: 5578907
MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com
AIM: andrewdmetcalfe
Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

[Jumperpaula 0]

Quote

If mine had come off three times already I would've ditched it then... not wait until I lost the protrack.

Your right and I totally deserved that!
Im not Z1 bashing, don't get me wrong. That helmet has protected my head more than it has hurt me.
And yet, it's like an old cat that always seems to find it's way home, no matter how bad you want it gone.
I'm not looking for sympathy I'm more looking for feedback and solutions.
Blue Skies!
Fly Your Slot !

[BadDog 0]

I've had mine for 4 years and I've had no problems at all. However, after reading this thread, I'm thinking about moving the Protrack to my pocket and letting the Skytronic do all the beeping.
CorporateLawyerDave aka BadDog

[DZDale 0]

Ive just ordered one, hope I didnt make a mistake !
Cheers
Dale
A man's dreams are an index to his greatness.
- Zadok Rabinwitz

[Jumperpaula 0]

I don't think you made a mistake.
Im suspecting that my XS NOS rig (the risers sit close to my head) , combined with the Z1 (which has a slight "lip") any opening involving narrowing the risers even more, like low line twists or riser twists creates a surface for the risers to grab on to and corkscrew the helmet off when the lines stretch.
It's just a lousy combination in my case.
Fly Your Slot !

[Shark 0]

Hmmm... Sounds like the problem is with your rig on opening rather than your helmet. I've had mine over a year and the only squawk I have is that the it is starting to delaminate around the "skirt" where the glue-bead is. Other than that, it is quite strong as evidenced by the mid-air I had last year. The other skydiver had his Factory Diver cracked just above the shield. On exit we (tried) took out a 9 way chunk in the form of a diamond. He was stairstepped on my right taking a leg grip. On exit I felt somebody "knee" me in the back of the head and I was seeing "stars." Although I was a little woosie, we built the round and turned the pieces. The funny thing was that I nailed the peas on landing. I walked over to Bryan and he said we knocked heads. Then he showed me the crack in the helmet. My Z1 only had a scratched sticker.

[Remster 30]

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Sounds like the problem is with your rig on opening rather than your helmet.

mmm no?
Her rig opens fine (it seams anyways)... the problem is the combinaision of her rig, helmet and body size.... considering its the 4ths time she looses her helmet, I'd say its time to change on of the componants of the problem... body type might be hard, rig expensive... leaves one option in my opinion.... sorry Paula....
Remster
Muff 914

[Jumperpaula 0]

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My Z1 only had a scratched sticker.

I totally agree on the duribility factor. After 4 bounces, it doesn't have a crack or even a scratch that I couldn't paint pen over.
I considered the possiblity that it could be body position, but on this last one, someone watched my whole pull, deploy and ball of shit. They have all been bad spinning openings when the helmet decides to bail.
...maybe I should learn to pack......... joking. The last two were paid pack jobs.
...maybe I should find a new packer....joking. It was two different packers.
Fly Your Slot !

[Jumperpaula 0]

7/29/2002

You'll never ever guess what happened to me this weekend.

Gone, with new protrack.

Came off my head on EXIT this time.

[SkymonkeyONE 4]

OK, Paula, time for a change. If you are getting smacked with a Z1, then I certainly don't think an A3 is going to help matters. They are fat at the ears too. I will stick with my tried and true non-flip factory diver for fast FS. Hey, it's fine for the GK RW team, it's fine for me. Never had the thing even think about coming off. Plus, it's narrower than what either the Z1 or the A3.

Chuck

[pilotdave 0]

Hmm, how'd it come off on exit? On opening I can at least imagine it getting yanked off by the risers, but what could take it off on exit? Mine has never made me feel like it wanted to come off. Do you not have a chin?
Dave

[Jumperpaula 0]

Thanks Chuck.

Yes, everyone is pushing the A3. I tried one on and the girl had a small with "extra padding" and it still could flop around on my head.

I heard Extra Smalls are special order. I need to "Gath it" for a while (you know, the helmet that protects you from water spray and UV rays). That was an Expensive Jump

[billvon 3,111]

>I tried one on and the girl had a small with "extra padding" and it
>still could flop around on my head.

I wish I had your problem . . . the only helmet I've found to fit my head so far is the FP-1 XXL, and even that one smashes my nose against the foam.