Wingsuit Gear Checks
March 14, 2009
Justin Shorb
Flock University
2
(Wingsuit) Gear Mistakes Kill
• You probably already check other skydivers’ gear out
• Wingsuiters are no different
• You can help even if you’re not a wingsuiter
3
Wingsuit Skydivers Are Skydivers First
• Perform same gear check
oRig (including AAD)
o Leg straps
oChest strap
oAltimeter
oGoggles
o Etc.
4
Wingsuit-Specific Rig Issues
• Check reserve and cutaway handles
o Sometimes pulled into the suit
o Look to see if they are fully accessible
• Closing loop
oRigs often packed “grommet to grommet”, which stretches closing loop
o If then packed grommet up, closing loop may be very loose
5
Arm Wings
• Arm wings’ attachment to torso
• Multiple designs – no “one size fits all”
• General categories of design:
oCable thread system
o Zipper system: two varietiesOver the ShoulderBottom of Wing
6
Cable Thread System
• Cutaway style cable
• Alternating tabs
• Some tabs (sometimes) skipped
• Designs vary: ask!
7
Example
8
Zipper Systems
• Over the Shoulder
• Bottom of Wing
• ALWAYS ASK BEFORE TOUCHING ANOTHER JUMPERS GEAR
9
Over the Shoulder
10
Over the Shoulder• Usually only unzipped if
suit being removed
• Not unzipped under canopy (usually)
• Some leave it a little open in the back
• Ask before touching!!
11
Bottom of Wing
12
Bottom of Wing
• Velcro(some) mesh cutaway with an RSL-style latch at the bottom
• Check Velcro, latch, and zipper
• Some have a button
• Give the wing a tug
13
Arm (Shoulder to Wrist) Releases
• Zippero Zipped oBuckled
• VelcrooNo bunching or “holes”
• Tonysuit “Safety Sleeve”
14
Common Newbie Mistake!
• Many suits have thumb loops
• Most wingsuiters use wrist altimeters
• If you put on a wrist altimeter after the thumb loop, you will not be able to get your thumb out of the loop...
...without distracting yourself and maybe losing your altimeter
15
Leg Straps
• Visual inspection is not enough!
• “Shrug” method
• “Lift the rig” method
• Have them Unzip the suit to check the straps.
16
Zipper Pull Up System (Open)
17
Zipper Pull Up System (Closed)
18
Booties
• Rental suits don’t always fit 100% correctly
• Even tailored suit booties can move
• Loose booties can cause problems in flight
• Booties that fall off can be a major problem
Thanks!
For More information you can download our pincheck guide at
www.flockuniversity.org
Also check out my article on Dropzone.com
2020
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