Emergency Pull Force Test

[rushmc 23]

I am curious as to how many rigger's out there test the pull force of the emergency rip cord after a repack?
I have been testing all repacks and writing the pull force information on the data card and in my log.

NOTE;
I know that the pull force will go down as time goes by. I have had rigs that have had measurements near 22 lbs just after completion and have had a chance to test them a couple of days later and found them near 17lbs. (an example of the most change I have seen)

Anyway, I look forward to the replies and thanks

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[SkydiveMonkey 0]

You have to in the uk. Max is 22 lbs.

____________________
Say no to subliminal messages

[nacmacfeegle 0]

As Alex said, the max pull force allowable is 22lbs under UK regs, it is also a requirement for the rigger to record the pull force at time of packing.
We have a slightly different packing procedure, in that we not only fill out the wee card that is stashed in your reserve flap, there is also a full inspection report sheet which goes into much more detail, recording reserve pull force, and other inspection details.
Oh and we have a six month repack cycle.

--------------------

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

[sid 1]

to be honest I don't test every one, but I do make sure that I can "move the pin" by hand before I fire off the reserve. If I have any doubt I check it more thoroughly then.

Pete Draper,

Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right?

[cssriggers 0]

I used to be very nervous about pull force and tested and re-closed every rig. Then I got more comfortable with assessing the pull force by how the closing went , how easily the pin would move, etc ... but I would still usually test them.

Now, we have Dave Dewolf's excellent pull-force tester. It's a little metal device that fits into the last flap grommet and around the ripcord above the pin. It allows the pin to move enough to test it with our scale but stops it from coming out of the closing loop. Quite ingenious! Para-Gear sells them.

Alpha Mike Foxtrot,
JHL

[rushmc 23]

I would (do) not open the rig either. I do use the tool you spoke of and a fish scale.

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[billbooth 10]

When I finally got an electronic load cell pull tester (very expensive fish scale) that would record peak load, no matter quickly it was applied, I noticed that the faster the pull force is applied, the lower it needs to be to move the ripcord pin. I'd pack up a rig and pull the ripcord as fast as I could, then repack it and pull as slowly as possible. The pull force on the slow pull was always much higher, sometimes by a factor of two. The trouble with a normal spring fish scale is that you have to pull slowly to be able to get a reading, and no one I know pulls a ripcord slowly in an actual emergency. This is yet another good reason to have some slack in your ripcord system. That way, when the moving handle hits the ball swedge at the end of the cable, the pull force is applied quickly, resulting in a much lighter pull

[riddler 0]

Quote

I noticed that the faster the pull force is applied, the lower it needs to be to move the ripcord pin.

A good description of Impulse Force.

I've done materials mechanics calculations on engines where impulse force was 6 times static force.

[riggerrob 643]

Quote

When I finally got an electronic load cell pull tester (very expensive fish scale) that would record peak load, no matter quickly it was applied, ...

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Gotta love those bass fishermen and their expensive toys!

• Quote

[Remster 30]

Quote

bass fishermen

Gotta helmet or 2 to spare?

Remster