Parachute Accessory

When I was in military survival training, they showed us the picture of a
guy who died because he didn't have his hook knife.

Landed in a tree, ended up hanging upside down, wrapped up in shroud lines.
Had his hook knife with him, but had not secured it in the survival knife
pocket of his flight suit with the supplied cord. He pulled it out, dropped
it, couldn't reach it on the ground (just a few inches too far), and died
before he could be rescued.

Bill Daniels blithely speaks in a similar thread about being mostly worried
about where to go for dinner and a beer: if he's not joking about that, then
his level of denial is almost pathological. He badly needs to re-examine his
assumptions.

You've got to think worst case scenario, and then decide what you need to
survive until you can get rescued or rescue yourself.

For me, I've given a lot of thought to the topic, and hope I'm prepared.

Respectfully,
Bullwinkle

On 3/2/07 10:12 PM, in article , "Wayne
Paul" wrote:


wrote in message
ups.com...
On Mar 2, 11:18 am, "Go" wrote:

-- Snip --

one question - a Benchmade rep stated that the Hook7 was made for
"military and Para jumpers of all kinds". This implies to me that a
hook knife would be carried at least by some parachutists. Is this the
case?

Steve,

I have only needed to use a parachute once. It was back in 1970. Upon
landing in the South China Sea and became entangled in the shroud lines, I
cut myself free using a hook knife. In this case, simply releasing the
harness wasn't sufficient to separate me from the chute.

Wayne
HP-14 "6F"
http://www.soaridaho.com/

Bullwinkle wrote:
When I was in military survival training, they showed us the picture of a
guy who died because he didn't have his hook knife.

Landed in a tree, ended up hanging upside down, wrapped up in shroud lines.
Had his hook knife with him, but had not secured it in the survival knife
pocket of his flight suit with the supplied cord. He pulled it out, dropped
it, couldn't reach it on the ground (just a few inches too far), and died
before he could be rescued.

Bill Daniels blithely speaks in a similar thread about being mostly worried
about where to go for dinner and a beer: if he's not joking about that, then
his level of denial is almost pathological. He badly needs to re-examine his
assumptions.

You've got to think worst case scenario, and then decide what you need to
survive until you can get rescued or rescue yourself.

For me, I've given a lot of thought to the topic, and hope I'm prepared.

I can think of a worse worst case scenario than that, given a little
time. Probably would require full body armor and close air support to
survive. ;-)
Avoiding the need to hit the silk by having enough flight time,water and
pee bags in the cockpit is by far the best preparation IMNSHO.


Shawn

I agree and did not say you shouldn't carry one, just that it isn't
the best to use in a high wind landing. It can be very handy indeed in
a tree or water landing as others have posted. Also, parachute
suspension lines are great for all sorts of things in a survival
environment, if you have a way to cut them! Of course a rock or two
would work as well. I don't think you could gut a rabbit with a hook
knife though!

I traded (comshawed) for my first parachute with a 20lb can of coffee
at the loft at North Island Naval Air Station about 33 years ago. I
still use the 550 suspension lines for stuff.

You can get very inexpensive hook knives in a velcro pouch at your
local drop zone.

John
1PD/GO

Another thought: When was the last time you did a complete pin check
on your parachute rig guys? That should be part of your preflight.


'I understand what you're saying, Go, and I am prepared to collapse
the
canopy if and when I ever have to use it. I also realize that the
hook
knife probably won't save things if they ever get that dire. But, to
me, it's kind of like wearing a parachute in the first place. You
wouldn't want to need one and not have one. Therefore, since I
already
have the hook knife, I might as well carry it. Besides, if I ever
land
out in the boonies, it might be handy in snagging dinner! I do have
one question - a Benchmade rep stated that the Hook7 was made for
"military and Para jumpers of all kinds". This implies to me that a
hook knife would be carried at least by some parachutists. Is this
the
case?
Steve '

On 1 Mar 2007 21:06:55 -0800, wrote:

I recently purchased a hook knife to use while paragliding but I also
intend to carry it when wearing my parachute in the sailplane. This
will allow a chance of cutting free from the parachute after landing
in extreme conditions. Some hook knives are better than others and I
have learned that the hook knife of choice is made by Benchmade Knife
Company, www.benchmade.com . I purchased the Hook7 but they make other
hook knife designs that would work. I heard that hook knives that have
double razor type blades can jam. The Hook7 has a single cutting edge
that cannot be jammed.
Steve





Who manufactures The Delta Wing type Emergency chutes? Are they
readily available? THNX 1RW

On Mar 5, 12:21 am, "Ron (RW)" wrote:
On 1 Mar 2007 21:06:55 -0800, wrote:

I recently purchased a hook knife to use while paragliding but I also
intend to carry it when wearing my parachute in the sailplane. This
will allow a chance of cutting free from the parachute after landing
in extreme conditions. Some hook knives are better than others and I
have learned that the hook knife of choice is made by Benchmade Knife
Company,www.benchmade.com. I purchased the Hook7 but they make other
hook knife designs that would work. I heard that hook knives that have
double razor type blades can jam. The Hook7 has a single cutting edge
that cannot be jammed.
Steve

Who manufactures The Delta Wing type Emergency chutes? Are they
readily available? THNX 1RW

Rigging Innovations. There are two versions(both square parachutes)
depending on the pilots experience/training with modern parachutes.
http://www.rigginginnovations.com/aviator.htm

Hi,

I found it, "cumshaw," in Wikipedia. Thanks.

Nyal