Cutaway on an FF2 with no top mount - worth it?

[Newbie 0]

I have read much on the FF2 having no snag points. Is it worthwhile having a cutaway system installed then, if not top mounting anything?

Education required please!

"Skydiving is a door"
Happythoughts

[mr2mk1g 10]

I only added the 2 ring circus cutaway because I plan to mount stills in another hundred or two jumps.

Prior to adding the factory cutaway system I used a very simple cutaway based on the ratchet system which worked well enough for me considering what I assessed to be a very low chance of a snag.

One good reason to have a cutaway mechanism (any cutaway mechanism) is that several DZ's require one.

I figure it's a personal call... but that's just my take on it.

[Newbie 0]

Thanks - can you please PM me when you have time and let me know how you spec'd up the simple cutaway system on the ratchet system? That would be really useful!

Thanks mate

"Skydiving is a door"
Happythoughts

[mr2mk1g 10]

This works on any helmet with the ratchet "track" on the helmet and the "clip" (the bit that bites onto the track) on the chin cup (if I can use those terms... what are the correct terms?).

It's really simple, takes about 10 minutes and costs about 10p.

Look closely at the clip. It's essentially a spring loaded see-saw design – one side you press on, the other side had a couple of claws underneath and rises up to release the ratchet track.

Drill 2 small holes in the part of the clip which rises up but ensure you're not going to obscure or damage the claws. There is room on the ratchet that comes with the FF2 – but I can't confirm that on any other designs. The holes should be parallel to the pivot point ie perpendicular to the travel of the track through the clip.

Thread a small but sturdy keyring through these two holes (so the ring goes in through one and out through the other). Again the key point is not to obscure the claws in their action on the ratchet.

Attach a tab to the key ring/split ring. I used a doubled over and sewn bit of webbing; my friend used a spare S-link hat. This will naturally stick out from your chin and is easy to grab.

When the shit hits the fan grab the tab and pull away from your head. This simultaneously lifts the claw portion of the clip off the ratchet track (thus releasing the ratchet) AND pulls the chin cup away from your head in one clean motion.

It works under a load when we tested it. The only down side we could find was that it can jam if you pull the tab at daft angles. So drill your cutaway to not pull at a daft angle.

Other than that buy the 2-ring circus... I think its superior... but then it doesn't cost 10p.

If that doesn't make sense say so and I'll post a picture or two.

Hmm... now I think about it I can't actually remember now if I used a zip tie or a key ring/split ring... hmm... I suppose either would work.

Here's a couple of picks showing the tab when finished... sadly they're not close ups but they're the best I knew were floating round dz.com

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=24190;

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=24191;

[Newbie 0]

Thanks for that, i'm pretty sure i know what you mean based on that description

"Skydiving is a door"
Happythoughts

[efex 0]

I have an FF2 and also plan to start shooting stills as soon as I can afford a decent camera. I bought the cutaway system with the helmet because I saw it as £65 which may or may not make the difference of being able to get rid of the helmet in an emergency. Yes snag points are seriously reduced and yes you can used the ratchet release, but on the off chance saving £65 just aint worth it in my opinion. Get the the release and if you every do end up getting a stills camera no need to worry about adding it then.

Just my two cents.

Warwick University Skydiving Club

[Zoter 0]

99% of your jumps you will be congratulating yourself on not splashing out on an expensive cutaway system.

That 1% jump....where its all going on.....I'm sure that £65 cutaway system thats proven, easy to reach and works efficiently......is going to seem quite cheap !!

I reckon if you can 'afford' an FF2.......you should prob be able to find 65 for the cutaway as well....

[Newbie 0]

yeah good points. Thanks for the advice all, i'll probably splash out on it as i will want to eventually move into stills photography too.

"Skydiving is a door"
Happythoughts