Skydiving Gear Checks: What To Know
General
What is a skydiving gear check? The process of inspecting your skydiving equipment prior to a jump! Skydive gear checks are a critical part of jump preparation. The Parachute Industry Association has a fabulous Inspection Guide for the sport jumper.
Parachute gear doesn’t play around. The pre-jump gear check ensures your skydive is set up for success before even boarding the plane. Let’s dive into some specifics.
The Check Of Threes
What is the Check of Threes in skydiving? The Check of Threes is a slick way to ensure no parts of the gear check are accidentally overlooked – we’re only human! This system breaks a daunting process down into three core parts: the three-rings, the harness, and the handles.
Three-rings.
The three-ring release system – invented by the legendary Bill Booth – is made up of a large, medium, and small metal ring that are intertwined and held together by the cutaway cable. By dispersing the load placed on the harness through the three rings, it takes the weight off of the cutaway cable, which makes cutting away the main canopy pretty easy to do.
The RSL (reserve static line) is attached to the main risers near the three-rings and is checked for correct routing and attachment during this stage of the Check of Threes.
Harness attachment points.
The harness has three points of routing that need to be checked – one on each of the leg straps and one on the chest strap. Gear checks ensure proper routing of these and that each is synched down snugly.
Handles.
There are three handles on the skydiving rig – the pilot chute (main parachute handle), the cutaway handle, and the reserve handle. The pilot chute is thrown on every single skydive to initiate the deployment of the main canopy, and the other two handles are used in the case of an emergency.
What are we checking when we look at these? We’re making sure they’re seated properly and securely, and that the cutaway cable is able to move at will (i.e. there’s no build up that would inhibit an easy emergency procedure initiation).
What Gets Checked?
Everything! The Check of Threes covers the basics, but there are a few other critical components that mustn’t be missed. What gear do you need to skydive? Quite a bit …
AAD.
An Automatic Activation Device is a small computer that is designed to initiate deployment of the reserve canopy in the event that the skydiver cannot do so themselves. The device works on an air pressure and speed system to determine what altitude the skydiver is at and how fast they’re falling.
AAD’s are turned on at the beginning of a jumping day and are calibrated to whatever altitude they’re turned on at. Prior to every jump, they’re double checked to be on and functioning properly on the correct setting. AADs save lives!
Main closing pin and loop.
Main closing pin and loop inspection is a critical part of every parachute gear check. How much wear and tear is acceptable for a main closing loop to have? 10%! How do you determine this? It’s actually a lot more simple than you think … and it involves zero math.
If you’re wondering if your main closing loop is in an acceptable condition, it’s time to change it. Meaning, you shouldn’t even second guess it if it’s good to go!
Reserve closing pin and loop.
How much wear and tear is acceptable for a reserve closing loop? 0%! If ANY wear is showing on the reserve closing loop consult your rigger prior to jumping, as non-riggers are unable to address this. Both the reserve and main pins need to be properly seated – not too loose, not too tight – which could subsequently result in a premature deployment or a hard pull.
Helmet and goggles.
“Do you have your helmet?!” Is what will be asked during a gear check. It is the jumper’s responsibility to make sure the chin strap is fitted and functioning, and that the helmet fits properly if it is not their usual. If an open-faced helmet is used, make certain you’ve got a nice fitting pair of goggles.
Altimeter.
Altimeters show us how high off the ground we are – they’re pretty freakin’ important. Altimeters should be checked for three things prior to jumping:
- Do you have it?
- Is it on zero (the ground is zero feet above the ground).
- Is it on the proper setting (if not analog). Many digital altimeters have a ‘speed’ setting that will display velocity instead of altitude, which we don’t want.
Snug shoes.
Need we say more? 120mph wind is pretty fast and a rogue shoe is a projectile! Other optional items – gloves, buffs, etc. – are also checked for functionality prior to a jump.
Remember, your main parachute – lines, toggles, grommets, etc. – should all be checked every time you pack.
How Often Should You Gear Check?
ALL. THE. TIME. Gear checks are a necessary part of every skydive. They should be done before putting your gear on, before boarding the plane (preferably by someone else – this is required when someone is on student status), and prior to exiting the aircraft.
Does this mean everyone is standing up and moving around in the airplane? No. Checking your three-rings, touching each of your handles, ensuring the routing on your straps is correct, and getting a pin check are all able to be done while sitting.
How much does full skydiving gear cost? A pretty penny, which is another reason why thorough gear checks are so important!
Get A Second Set Of Eyes
It doesn’t matter how many jumps you have or how long you’ve been skydiving – get a second (and even third or fourth) set of eyes to check your gear. Why? Simple: complacency kills.
Gear Checks Are Critical – And Cool!
Stay VIGILANT in gear checks, ask questions about pieces you don’t quite understand, and say something if you see something! Many new jumpers feel hesitancy in speaking up to veteran skydivers – don’t! Everyone makes mistakes, regardless of experience.
How do you wish a skydiver good luck? You tell them ‘blue skies!’ and you give them a kick-ass gear check! As people progress throughout their skydiving career, they tend to have some complacency creep in – don’t let this be you!
Look good, have fun, safety third is just a silly motto. Keep safety first for you and others and let’s SEND IT!
Although receiving a gear check from another competent jumper is necessary, the person jumping the gear holds ultimate responsibility for the state of that gear.
Although each part of a gear check focuses on a specific piece, there is the expectation that constantly scanning the gear for wear and tear is a part of the entire process.
Are you an experienced jumper who’s passing through the Carolinas this season or hitting up one of our sick events? Awesome – check out our DZ rules and resources ahead of your visit. Want to learn how to skydive this year? We can’t wait to teach you! And if you’ve never made a skydive, what are you waiting for? Schedule a tandem today!
