Hooknswoop 19 #26 November 12, 2003 QuoteWhen I let go of the block, it releases and my hand is still in the toggle. What am I missing? When you open your hand to release the dive block, there is a moment where you hand is open with the toggle held on by friction and not by grip. It can (and has) slide off your hand. By using some fingers to hold the toggles and some fingers to hold the dive loops (2/2 or 3/1, or1/3), positive control of the toggles is never lost. The down side to loops is you must get your fingers out of them to flare. With dive blocks, they are harder to grab, but you can’t get your fingers stuck in them. No perfect solution, everything is a trade-off, choose whichever you think is better for you and go with it. Then re-evaluate it after a while and make sure it is the right choice for you. My personal choice is dive loops and two fingers in the loop and two in the toggles. I don’t like putting my entire hand in the toggle because I loose the ‘feel’ my fingers give me. Derek Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ianmdrennan 2 #27 November 12, 2003 Thanks for explaining that clearly Derek. Blue skies IanPerformance Designs Factory Team Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
relyon 0 #28 November 12, 2003 Yes, thanks for the explanation. I use both full hand grips and sometimes a vulcan "live long and prosper" grip (where the links are between the middle & ring fingers), with all four fingers in the toggle loop. I haven't experienced anything remotely close to a dropped toggle - not to say it can't happen as it obviously has. FWIW, I wear tackified winter weight football gloves and sprung toggles (ie. with cables sewn in to keep the loop open). If anything, I've had problems getting my hand out of the toggle (I dislike dive loops for the same reason). Bob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lazyfrog 0 #29 November 12, 2003 QuoteI'd think you wouldn't be able to get the slider past dive blocks? I have dive blocks on my risers, and the slider can come down, in more than 99% of the cases I had to pull it past the blocks, but on ONEopening, the slider came down on my head... My back still hurts, and that was in july BTW I know someone who impacted cause his alti got stuck in the loops, he now recommends blocks---------- Fumer tue, péter pue ------------- ourson #10, Mosquito Uno, CBT 579 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ianmdrennan 2 #30 November 12, 2003 QuoteBTW I know someone who impacted cause his alti got stuck in the loops, he now recommends blocks I can only see that happen through improper usage of dive loops (i.e sticking your whole hand in) - thats hardly a problem with dive loops, that's operator error. Blue skies ianPerformance Designs Factory Team Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
krkeenan 0 #31 November 12, 2003 I prefer dive loops. I think that grabbing blocks would make it easy to lose your grip on a toggle. I don't see how someone could get their hand stuck in a dive loop. The object is to grasp it with several fingers, not to put your whole hand into it. I think there have been people who crash because of not letting go, but that's more likely caused by freezing up than by hand entrapment. kevin====================== Seasons don't fear the Reaper, nor do the Wind, the Sun, or the Rain... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lazyfrog 0 #32 November 13, 2003 you can also freese/brainlock and not open your finger on a block or in loops... been there, done that ---------- Fumer tue, péter pue ------------- ourson #10, Mosquito Uno, CBT 579 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeremyneas 0 #33 November 13, 2003 As i am one of the few victims of the dive loop escapades i will tell you that dive loops are definately the way to go. after said accident, i had blocks installed on my fronts and now that my nerve is back a little, even front 90's are hard because you have to grab the block alot harder (gripwise) than you would in the loop. even 90s make the riser want to pull out early. and likely you'll drop it distorting the canopy quickly (as opposed to easing it out). disadvantage of the block also is i can't get the slider down (SRC's prevent it also). the accident you saw was the fault of the diver (me) using dive loops with homemade stitching for the use of keeping the loop big and round instead of laying flat against the riser for easy in and out. also don't forget that i did 12 tandems before that jump that day, and decided against wearing gloves because i was so damn tired, me skinny long fingees had something to do with it also. fuckup...learn...don't do it again (assuming your givin the chance ) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanuckInUSA 0 #34 November 13, 2003 Thanks for the feedback. Your accident was/is in the back of my mind and partially why I created this thread (ultimately I'm just trying to ensure that I do everything I can do to limit my risks). I will stay with my dive loops and hopefully ensure that I hold my toggles so as to limit the risk of dropping one. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeremyneas 0 #35 November 13, 2003 i'll admit there have been some scary CO swoop accidents lately, and most have been from jumpers with alot of experience, which makes them even scarier. we have it harder becuase with our altitude, and the crazy winds that move with the mountains (especially in winter). the swoopers at higher than normal altitudes have a narrower margin of error, especially the ones that have to learn here. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
