TXSkydancer 0 #1 October 4, 2002 AFter reading several of the reports I decided to post mine... Friday 13th was gorgeous day here in Texas, made even better since my boyfriend surprised me with a brand new Cobalt 120 the night before, for "Just Because"!! He and the rigger put it together in my rig on Thursday night, ran all the lines and I packed it up! I deployed around 6K so I could play a bit... The canopy opened sweetly as advertised, and as soon as the secondary stage hit I was spinning to the right.. I reached up for toggles, assuming a brake line was released, but when I looked up and saw lines at the top of the canopy... As I looked back down the brake line, I watched as the riser fell onto my shoulder... The European "Slink" had come off some how.. Needless to say I ended up cutting it away and going to my reserve with no problems... Just wondering if anyone else has had any problems with the European version of the soft link? We replaced all of mine with PD's version, and I just make darned sure that I check them each time I pack... Blue SkiesBlue Skies and Safe Landings! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #2 October 4, 2002 Are you refering to PdF's version of the slink? The one with the metal ring at the end of it?Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TXSkydancer 0 #3 October 4, 2002 There is an European version, but yes the one with the metal ring.. My previous canopy had the "tab" version of soft link, and never had problem one with it.Blue Skies and Safe Landings! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #4 October 4, 2002 >European version Parachutes de France was probally the maker of the soft link that you had. I'd like to know if it was made by someone other then PD, PdF or Precision since those are the major soft link makers I know of. If someone new is on the market their design might not have been as well tested as the other designs.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymedic 0 #5 October 4, 2002 I saw one of the PDF ones break when I was jumping in Sebastian about a year or so ago...maybe less...same problem as you..opened up...then riser fell down...video was fun to see... I have had Zero problems on my slinks with about 40 jumps on em...I just made sure I "Set" them with the tab in the risers...so it didn't hang out the side.. Marc otherwise known as Mr.Fallinwoman.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vidiot 0 #6 October 4, 2002 Laura, if you're talking about the PdF Slinks with the metal ring: AFAIK they must only be used with PdF's risers. Those risers have half a snap inside the loop at the end of the riser which secures the metal ring. But what do I know... KlausMy Logbook Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #7 October 4, 2002 I used to have PdF soft links on a previous riser set up 96-98 ish.... At the time they were fitted it was recommended that a 'male snap' popper thing was installed to retain the metal ring. With this set up I never had any problems, but the 'hole' required to fit the snap made me think.....I put about 600 jumps on this setup without incident. Thinking out load here....why don't riggers just tack the ring, or tab in place on the riser, to stop it 'floating' or working loose?-------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TXSkydancer 0 #8 October 4, 2002 Will have my rigger tack them down before the weekend! Thanks for the suggestion.Blue Skies and Safe Landings! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JackR 0 #9 October 4, 2002 I've heard of tacking the tab in from somewhere else (maybe this forum). I've watched rigs without them tacked and I've watched rigs with them tacked. Tacking the tabs in helps the links set from the outset. It works really well, but keep and eye on the tacking. There is a lof of flexing that goes on on this end of the riser. If the tacking comes loose, just re-tack it. When I tack the tab in I try to make as small of a loop around the tab to be sure that it stays in one place, but be careful not to damage the link as you're passing the needle through. I'm not 100% confident with soft links, so I don't want anything to reduce the strength of the link. Another complication that I've noticed is that many of the jumpers with soft links also have Velcro-less toggles. I'm all for Velcro-less toggles because it prevents the fraying of the brake lines. I've seen a trend with Velcro-less toggle jumpers to stow the excess brake line by passing it through the riser where the link is and tucking the upper toggle tab through the loop created as the excess brake line comes back down from the riser. Every time you release the brakes with this configuration, that excess brake line zips through this loop right past your link. I've seen many times that after a jump the soft link tab is moved outside the riser as if it was pulled by this excess brake line. If you've followed this so far, also consider that the brakes release very quickly. What is the brake line doing to your soft link as they speed past each other? In a few years are we going to see soft links failing from this abrasion? Again I like the Velcro-less toggles. I also like the extra loops that Relative Workshop is putting on the backs of these risers to stow the excess brake lines in. Please use them. Please use them if you also install soft links.Packin' Jack 42nd Lost Prairie: The Ultimate Answer to Life, the Universe, and Skydiving 25 Jul - 3 Aug 2009 2007 photos: http://www.skydive.com/prairie/pages/prairie.htm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
