Keep an Eye Out | Exposed Velcro

Published on Friday, July 29, 2022

Keep an Eye Out | Exposed Velcro

Flap stiffeners and magnets have replaced hook-and-loop fasteners (Velcro) on most components on modern skydiving containers but have not eliminated it altogether. Most manufacturers still incorporate Velcro as part of restraining the reserve-static-line (RSL) lanyard. When the rough side (the hook side) and the soft side (the loop side) aren't mated correctly, both parts are exposed on opposite sides.

During the gear-check instructional phase of a recent AFF Instructor Rating Course, an examiner found the loop side of the Velcro exposed near the RSL attachment shackle (photo 1). This telltale sign indicated that the hook side was also exposed, and further inspection revealed that not only was it exposed, it had caused noticeable damage to the reserve riser (photo 2). Fortunately, the problem was caught early and the riser did not need replacement, but if the Velcro had stayed unmatched, it may have abraded the riser to the point where replacement was a necessity.

Comments (0)Number of views (14552)
Print
 

 

 
Photo by David Cherry

At Skydive Arizona in Eloy, (clockwise from “driver”) Carlo Manuel, Dan Baker, Sam Laliberte and Joel Tremblay perform a car-drop stunt to promote Cleared Hot’s Vet Boogie.

AXIS

 

Stolen Gear

Brent Findlay | USPA# 244231
Profiles | Apr 01, 2019

Brent Findlay | USPA# 244231

Monday, April 1, 2019

Letters | Apr 01, 2019

Letters

Monday, April 1, 2019

Letters | Apr 01, 2019

Letters

Stolen Gear

Monday, April 1, 2019

Letters | Apr 01, 2019

Letters

"100 Years of Freefall"
Featured Art | Apr 01, 2019

"100 Years of Freefall"

Learning from Incident Reports
Gearing Up | Apr 01, 2019

Learning from Incident Reports

Stolen Gear

Monday, March 18, 2019

Letters | Mar 18, 2019

Letters

Life's a Beach... and Then You Fly!
Features | Mar 01, 2019

Life's a Beach... and Then You Fly!

AXIS

First109110111112114116117118Last