If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Parachute Accessory
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 |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Parachute Accessory
|
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Parachute Accessory
On Mar 2, 7:35 am, Mark Dickson
wrote: At 05:12 02 March 2007, wrote: This will allow a chance of cutting free from the parachute after landing in extreme conditions. Wouldn't it be quicker just to undo the harness? When it is under load because of high winds you almost certainly won't be able to do that with your average parachute. You need to collapse it first but that can be tricky with high winds hence the hook knife as an emergency - to avoid that what just saved you your life will drag you to death... Markus |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Parachute Accessory
Far too easy and absolutely not cool!
"Mark Dickson" wrote in message ... At 05:12 02 March 2007, wrote: This will allow a chance of cutting free from the parachute after landing in extreme conditions. Wouldn't it be quicker just to undo the harness? |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Parachute Accessory
Bert Willing wrote: Far too easy and absolutely not cool! "Mark Dickson" wrote in message ... At 05:12 02 March 2007, wrote: This will allow a chance of cutting free from the parachute after landing in extreme conditions. Wouldn't it be quicker just to undo the harness? |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Parachute Accessory
Steve,
These comments are generalized and not personally directed to you: I have over 2,000 parachute jumps and have landed many times in high winds both under a round (primary or reserve/emergency) and square parachute. My direct experience is that you will have a very hard time using a hook knife in a high wind landing situation. But if you want to carry a hook knife, fine. Just do not attempt to use it as a first step to collapse a canopy in this situation. It is extremely easy to collapse and contain a parachute upon landing even in extremely high winds. But you have to be thinking about it, like 'feet and knees together', before your feet hit the ground. Before you land you keep your hands on the risers, after you land and roll maintain your grip on your dominant hand's riser and start pulling hand over hand as fast as you can. As if you life depends upon it, which it could, possibly. When you get to the parachute itself keep pulling it into your body and smother it. Assume the fetal position and say your prayers of thanks that your 'chute opened and you landed safely. :-) At California City I have been horizontal under a canopy at less than 10' agl and traveling, who knows?, very fast over the ground. Upon my impact, horizontally, on the ground I was able to collapse the parachute and control it with only a brief drag on the ground. I have had worse injuries sliding into home plate. My wife has had this happen to her under a round reserve, alone, in high winds. She was not drug over the ground. How in the world would you successfully use a hook knife this reliably and sucessfully in this situation? Another note: If you are in a very high wind situation and you have confidence in your ability to slightly steer the canopy. (Have you ever seen the steering toggles on your canopy? Does it have any? Do you know what they look like over your head? ) I would suggest you think about NOT facing directly into the wind. That only ensures a foot to ass landing and I have a fractured tail-bone which will assert this is not a fun injury. If you can turn and hold slightly off the wind line without turning downwind! It will help you do the 'feet-calf- thigh-body' Parachute Landing Fall which will better absorb the landing energy, both vertical and horizontal, and give you less chance of a injury. (My first 600+ jumps were with round canopies as my main.) If you really think you will ever use a parachute to save your life you should make at least a tandem jump or better yet go through an advanced freefall course. But watch out, you just might have too much fun! On Mar 1, 9:06 pm, 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 |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Parachute Accessory
Steve and I have flown many high aspect ratio ram air chutes to the
ground, usually with stand-up landings. We also both wear square emergency parachutes in our gliders. All my round and square chutes have had the thread-through chest strap and quick-eject leg straps, including a National which normally comes with some very odd step-through leg loops. You're asking to become hamburger if you are unable to eject your rig if and when that's needed. Jim |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Parachute Accessory
On Mar 2, 11:18 am, "Go" wrote:
Steve, These comments are generalized and not personally directed to you: I have over 2,000 parachute jumps and have landed many times in high winds both under a round (primary or reserve/emergency) and square parachute. My direct experience is that you will have a very hard time using a hook knife in a high wind landing situation. But if you want to carry a hook knife, fine. Just do not attempt to use it as a first step to collapse a canopy in this situation. It is extremely easy to collapse and contain a parachute upon landing even in extremely high winds. But you have to be thinking about it, like 'feet and knees together', before your feet hit the ground. Before you land you keep your hands on the risers, after you land and roll maintain your grip on your dominant hand's riser and start pulling hand over hand as fast as you can. As if you life depends upon it, which it could, possibly. When you get to the parachute itself keep pulling it into your body and smother it. Assume the fetal position and say your prayers of thanks that your 'chute opened and you landed safely. :-) At California City I have been horizontal under a canopy at less than 10' agl and traveling, who knows?, very fast over the ground. Upon my impact, horizontally, on the ground I was able to collapse the parachute and control it with only a brief drag on the ground. I have had worse injuries sliding into home plate. My wife has had this happen to her under a round reserve, alone, in high winds. She was not drug over the ground. How in the world would you successfully use a hook knife this reliably and sucessfully in this situation? Another note: If you are in a very high wind situation and you have confidence in your ability to slightly steer the canopy. (Have you ever seen the steering toggles on your canopy? Does it have any? Do you know what they look like over your head? ) I would suggest you think about NOT facing directly into the wind. That only ensures a foot to ass landing and I have a fractured tail-bone which will assert this is not a fun injury. If you can turn and hold slightly off the wind line without turning downwind! It will help you do the 'feet-calf- thigh-body' Parachute Landing Fall which will better absorb the landing energy, both vertical and horizontal, and give you less chance of a injury. (My first 600+ jumps were with round canopies as my main.) If you really think you will ever use a parachute to save your life you should make at least a tandem jump or better yet go through an advanced freefall course. But watch out, you just might have too much fun! On Mar 1, 9:06 pm, 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 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 |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Parachute Accessory
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/ |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Parachute Accessory
Wayne Paul wrote:
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. Good point -- we don't think enough about the possibility of a water landing. Golden BB, or pot metal motor? Jack |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
HAPI Accessory Case | [email protected] | Home Built | 5 | January 1st 07 06:53 PM |
Filser compass accessory | Rick Roelke | Soaring | 0 | July 20th 05 10:24 PM |
Continental accessory case | pwm | Home Built | 3 | July 9th 05 02:27 AM |
seatbelt accessory | tscottme | Piloting | 2 | December 24th 04 03:54 AM |
Need PAN and Rear ACCESSORY CASE Gaskets For 0-435 Lycoming Engine | Spar | Owning | 5 | March 30th 04 10:09 PM |