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Scrumpot

Inspecting Risers for wear...

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Is there any "secret" to doing this, or "hidden signs" one should look for when inspecting their risers for wear/considering possible replacement?

I have always been fairly diligent in every 30 days or so, pulling & cleaning/lubing my cut-away cables, while then checking my risers (including manipulating the ring attachment points to avert a "set" taking) and really -even after @650 jumps on the same (mini) riser set, see no VISIBLE signs of excess wear, or anything that I would otherwise be concerned with at all. However, in some recent threads, several references have been made to 'REQUIRING' that you change your risers after 500 jumps.

Just wondering if there are any particular signs I should look for? If I see absolutely NO WEAR (or next to none anyway) ANYWHERE within the riser system, do I still need to replace them/be concerned at 650+/- jumps on 'em? Are there stresses or wear perhaps that is not otherwise visible then, or easily indicated that I should worry about?

I was hoping/looking to "jump hard" this upcoming weekend, and can't get my hands on a new set of risers for my rig now probably until sometime next week. ...Maybe y'all will be reading about me in the incidents forum then come next Tuesday? :S;)
coitus non circum - Moab Stone

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One major source of damage is velcro toggles and velcro riser covers. If you have neither, or don't have any fuzziness from them, and you really see no other damage, don't worry about it. Other possible damage wear sites are the grommet (material pulling out from under the grommet), the locking loop damaged, damage to the webbing from french links usually cause during installation, wear from the harness ring, and the afore mentioned velcro fuzz. ANY nick in ANY of the threads of the webbing mean that they should be replaced. This includes on the inside of the link loops and the ring attachments. On the edge it can weaken the webbing by 50% or more. In the middle it can weaken by 20% or more. Significant velcro fuzz can weaken the webbing by 10 to 20%.

Source of strength decreases - Presentation by Dan Wilcox formerly of Relative Workshop at either the 1991 or 93 PIA symposium. And my memory.:S

Terry
I'm old for my age.
Terry Urban
D-8631
FAA DPRE

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