RSL OR NO RSL ?

[freebird 0]

I have 60 jumps. IM wondering rather I should have an RSL on my Rig. I have not had any reserve rides yet. I have to consider that I will probly have at least one mal. someday.
The longer you wait ........the more sense you get.

[PhreeZone 20]

Read the Archives... This has been discussed so many times that by just reading the archives you will be busy for weeks trying to understand it all...
I wish you would step back from that ledge my friend... ~3EB

[quade 4]

I think you should look at it as a backup first and then consider what type of jumping you're doing.
For a newbie/low-timer/once-a-month jumper, it's almost a no-brainer -- keep it on.
For a camera flyer, again it's a no-brain decision -- take it off.
You start to add in different styles of skydiving and different situations and you might want to consider having it on sometimes and having it off other times.
On my "A" rig, the one I jump the most, I have it physically on the rig, but I rarely have it hooked up because I'm mostly flying camera, but I would certainly consider hooking it up if the conditions warrented it -- like maybe a hop-n-pop just for accuracy practice.
My "B" rig is only for back-to-back camera flying so, it's not even installed on that one.
I think I would lean towards having it installed, thinking about attaching the lanyard on each jump and acting accordingly.
quade
http://futurecam.com

[freebird 0]

I had to take a 6 month leave of absence. I have I plan to return to the skydive world around July or August. Do a few refresher jumps and then start jumping every weekend. Im have my custom Javelin container made right now.
The longer you wait ........the more sense you get.

[lazerq3 0]

Quote

IM wondering rather I should have an RSL on my Rig

Thats something only you can answer...I agree with Phree...look up the info in the archives cuase your going to get a million reasons why you should and a million reasons why you shouldnt...and then someone will say somehting about an AAD adn then all hell will break lose!!!!......but serioulsy its a choice you need to make!!!
jason

[rgoper 0]

Tiff:
it's a no brainer, 60 jumps, no mals, take the RSL. safety first.
Richard
"It's Your Thing, Do What Ya Wanna Do, I Can't Tell Ya Who To Sock It To"

[Zennie 0]

Quote

it's a no brainer, 60 jumps, no mals, take the RSL. safety first.

First thing I did off student status was disconnect my RSL.... for safety reasons.
"Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."

[billvon 3,107]

>I have 60 jumps. IM wondering rather I should have an RSL on my Rig. I have not had any reserve rides yet.
I recommend you get an RSL on your rig until you have a little more experience. They have saved a lot of lives and cause problems only very, very rarely. They are much more likely to help you than hurt you.
-bill von

[lazerq3 0]

Quote

First thing I did off student status was disconnect my RSL.... for safety reasons.

DITTO!!!
jason

[FallinWoman 1]

I myself do not have an RSL on my Mirage....but I think that it would probably be a good idea to order your rig with one, then you have the option of using it or disconnecting it on every skydive....if you order without you never even have the option of using the RSL...
just a thought
Anne

[rhino 0]

I jump a racer and was told it was a bad idea when I bought it.. I have always thought I would want to get away from any canopy I cutt..
Rhino
Blue Skies .....

[skybytch 273]

The Javelin comes with an RSL standard. Considering your experience level and currency, I'd recommend having it installed when you get your new rig assembled whether you have a Cypres on the rig or not - a kinked ripcord is cheaper to replace than a new cutter for your Cypres. RSL's have saved many lives over the years. As long as you aren't flying a heavily loaded main, doing camera or jumping a skyboard, why not give yourself a little extra insurance?
It's very easy to disconnect should you decide between repacks that you don't want to use it, and it's very easy for your rigger to remove at repack time.
pull & flare,
lisa
"But our reality is in fact entire illusion!"
-Gregory Benford

[AndyMan 7]

There's a lot of people making blanket statements saying they disconected it right after student status for safety reasons. They rarely give an explanation of why they needed to do it right after student status. If somebody's going to make such a strong statement, at least an explanation of why they feel that way would be nice.
RSL's have saved MANY lives. They're kind of like airbags in cars - yes, airbags have caused a few death's. While that's tragic, it doesn't mean everyone should run out and disconnect their airbags.
I recently disconnected my RSL because I now fly a highly loaded eliptical main. I kept it connected righ up until I bought my Stiletto at 1.5. Camera flyers also disconnect them, so do CREW jumpers.
At your level I can't think of any reason to disconnect it - just as I can't think of any reason to recomend somebody disconnects the airbag in their car.
Once you actually have compelling reasons to disconnect it, this debate becomes a whole lot more interesting. Even under my 1.5 Stiletto, I still grappeled with the issue for a long time before finally removing it.
_Am
ICQ: 5578907
MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com
AIM: andrewdmetcalfe
Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

[lazerq3 0]

Quote

There's a lot of people making blanket statements saying they disconected it right after student status for safety reasons

Actually after I got off student status I rented up until jump 18......When I did rent, the rigs I rented did not have an RSL.... not because I choose to not have one but because it didnt worry me whether to use it or not!!! When I bought my gear I knew that it didnt cvome with a RSL and I was fine with that...I didnt want one....why?? because I feel confident that i will be able to handle myself in an emergency situation!! I've seen what they do I know how they work an i know they've helped jumpers and I know how they've hurt jumpers!!! I made my informed decision that I do not want one.......if anyone thinks that I should use it...well then thats your parogative (sp).......The reasons I dont want one are my reasons and the reasons you wnat or dont want one is yours.......Now you may say "well what does he know ..he only has 76 jumps".....well I know enough from reading and talking to others to make an "informed" decision!! I'll just leave it at that!!!!
jason

[AndyMan 7]

I'm more concerned that you didn't mention any of the drawbacks, I wonder if you actually know them.
But yes, it's your choice. That's the beauty of this sport. If you want to ignore years of saved lives, that's your right.
_Am
ICQ: 5578907
MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com
AIM: andrewdmetcalfe
Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

[lazerq3 0]

Believe me ..I've been on this website for over 2 yrs now...I know the pros and cons...... As for the years of saving lives ..you can use this argument for seatbelts, airbags, motorcycle helmuts ,,etc....... I know seatbelts save lives, I also know they have hurt in the past.....yet I dont where one......airbags.....they have saved lives.....theyve also taken a couple.......I really would rather not have them.....helmuts on a motorcycle........Yes If I rode one I would wear one even though my state doesnt require it!! These are all chioces that I chose to make... The argument over RSL, AAD, Seatblets, airbags, and helmuts are all the same, if you tell me I should use a RSL then you better be wearing a seatbelt at all times with an airbag, adn wear a helmut when you ride ...if not your just a hypocrit(sp)........I admit I dont use a RSL I dont wear my seat belt in the car.....but again my choices....you all do what you want adn I'll do what i want.....As Long as I dont jepridize YOUR saftey thats what matters and my desision to not use one DOES not jepredize anyones saftey. And if you believe that this decsion to not use one does risk YOUR safty ....well then there are a TON of jumpers up there doing it!!!
jason

[RozeAY 0]

The Javelin I bought about 15 jumps after student status did not have an RSL installed on it, which was good because I would have disconnected it anyway. There are obviously many reasons to have or not to have one. And as it was earlier stated, everyone should look at those reasons and decide what is right for him or her. For me, I did not like the possibility of the RSL getting caught on something and deploying the reserve. Also, if I had a very unstable cutaway from a mal, I would want the extra second to get stable again before my reserve was deployed. Ironically enough, the very first jump on my gear resulted in a cutaway, and everything was fine. But definitely read the forums and decide what is best for you.

[GrumpySmurf 0]

I think he was asking more along the lines of what decision path led you to decide to not use one, in otherwords - what do you feel are the drawbacks that necessitate the RSLs removal. So far posted were camera flying, loaded elliptical, and CReW - I think Andy was trying to get those who don't use one (such as yourself) to present that side of the arguement a bit more concisely, rather than just a "I feel I don't need it." or "I feel I need it." - why do you/don't you need it?
Shall I be the first to dub this thread to be a troll?
Do we have a link to a document that presents both sides of this arguement in a fair and informative manner, if so, the next time someone lays the flame bait, we should just say, "Here's the link, RTFM."

[SkydiveMonkey 0]

RTMF you mean
When you participate in sporting events, its not whether you win or loose, its how drunk you get.

[Zennie 0]

Quote

They rarely give an explanation of why they needed to do it right after student status. If somebody's going to make such a strong statement, at least an explanation of why they feel that way would be nice.

I didn't give an explanation because I didn't want this to degrade into another RSL/no-RSL debate. But since we're there now... here goes.
It really boils down to three major factors:
1. The RSL serves one purpose and one purpose only... to get a reserve out if you cut away and forget (or hesitate) to pull silver. That's it. That's all it's for. I know that if I pull the red handle, I'll pull the silver handle. If I don't... well I deserve whatever I get.
2. There are far too many situations where you have to remember to unhook your RSL.... flying camera, windy days, CRW, for example.
3. There are many situations where you want separation from your just-cut-away canopy ... spinning mals, for example... and an RSL can make a bad situation worse. An RSL killed at least one jumper last year when it fired the reserve before the jumper could get separation from his main.
I want the freedom & flexibility to decide when my reserve is coming out of the container. An RSL is automatic & inflexible.
These are the safety reasons I was referring to.
"Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."

[Dumpster 0]

I my self am fairly new to the sport- My rig does not have an RSL- I was trained to pull red then silver- I rehease this every time I put my rig on - and if it's been more than a couple weeks since my last jump I reach for them right after exit- (along with a prcp-) RSL's are subject to the same debate as helmets and seat belts I don't wear a helmet on my bike, I do wear a seatbelt, No RSL, I like my dytter, and when I get the extra cash plan to buy a pro-trak and jump with both- But they are no substitue for keeping an eye on my wrist mount- I often forget I have the dytter until it beeps- usually while I'm checking my alti- My newbie input for what it's worth-
Ciao-
Life begins at 14,000' - Shut up and jump!

[SkymonkeyONE 4]

Me? Not on your life, but that is just because I jump VERY small mains and I don't want my reserve coming out till I am well away and stable from whatever it might be that I have to chop. I am a staunch proponent of them, though, for the average recreational skydiver who is not jumping highly loaded ellipticals. Bottom line: If your main is prone to spin up on you, then you ought not use one. You should also definitely not use one if you are doing CRW or jumping a camera.
Chuck
My webpage HERE

[GrumpySmurf 0]

Nope, RTFM "Read The F*ckin' Manual."
Although
"Read The Mutha-F*cker." would work equally as well

[GrumpySmurf 0]

Chuck, whoever told you that you are jumping a small main lied, dude - I think the proper term for what you folk jump is 'High Performance Drogue'

[rgoper 0]

**When I bought my gear I knew that it didnt cvome with a RSL and I was fine with that...I didnt want one....why?? because I feel confident that i will be able to handle myself in an emergency situation!!**
i'm sure we'll all agree that everyone that has ever jumped from a jumpship to do a sky dive was certain that "they could handle any emergency situation" it's this kind of "cockyniss" that's hurting and killing our folks right now. think about what you say, before you say it. what is good for you, doesn't mean it's good for everybody else. freebird made an inquisition, and ya'll counter with this "i removed mine for safety reasons" B.S. ya'll ain't freebird, and she ain't ya'll. she needs one. 60 jumps, and not current, like i said, it's a "no brainer" c'mon guys.....
Richard
"Over The Mountain, Kissing Silver Inlaid Clouds, Watching My Body, Dissappear Into The Crowd"
Ozzy Osbourne