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 (16721)
Print
 

 

 
Photo by Alex Swindle

Jumpers launch from a Skyvan during Arizona Airspeed’s Intro(ish) to Bigways: Valentine’s Edition at Skydive Arizona in Eloy.

Innhopps

 

Skydive Store

Line Up
Five Minute Call | Aug 01, 2018

Line Up

Star Power
Five Minute Call | Aug 01, 2018

Star Power

Tribute
Five Minute Call | Aug 01, 2018

Tribute

Bill Wenger | D-3774
Profiles | Aug 01, 2018

Bill Wenger | D-3774

Skydive Store

“Flying by Design”
Featured Art | Aug 01, 2018

“Flying by Design”

Going to X-tremes
Features | Aug 01, 2018

Going to X-tremes

Wednesday, August 1, 2018

Skydive Store

USPA Achieves Milestone
Gearing Up | Aug 01, 2018

USPA Achieves Milestone

The Warm Embrace Of Thailand
Features | Aug 01, 2018

The Warm Embrace Of Thailand

Message Of Peace—A Parachutist Pictorial
Features | Aug 01, 2018

Message Of Peace—A Parachutist Pictorial

Skydive Store

First134135136137139141142143Last