During a routine repack a rigger found out that, during the time of the packing cycle, the coating of the black fabric on the inside of the cordura had become so ‘sticky’, that it prevented the launch of the reserve pilot chute and hindered the release of the reserve freebag from the container.
He closed the container, and opened it again in 3 weeks to see if the problem recurred, videoing the result. Have a look at what happened, as shown in the photos to the right, and the video below.
This container is an Atom but riggers around the world report they have seen the same issue with other containers using a similarly treated fabric.
The problem does not occur with new rigs but is usually a combination of old age and poor storage. If the rig is old, the fabric coating on both parapack and cordura can potentially break down and become tacky. This is usually if subjected to heat, for example, storing the container in a warm place like an airing cupboard, or leaving in the trunk of a car on a hot day.
The majority if not all rig manufacturers no longer make containers from materials with this type of coating [instead, they use the same fabric but untreated], so this problem should not occur on a new(ish) container.
Reserve Pilot Chute did not launch
What are the lessons here?
- Store life-saving equipment carefully, in a cool, dark place away from potential harm
- Inspect your gear regularly, and take appropriate maintenance or repair measures for any signs of wear
- Exceeding the recommended reserve repack cycle increases the likelihood of such problems remaining undiscovered
- The older your equipment, the more important are these measures
- Be wary of buying old equipment and always have it inspected by a qualified rigger before making any purchase
- Reserve packers should be aware of the potential issue and ground any such rigs at the first sign of tackiness
Keep safe – keep skydiving!
Video and photos by Emil Franěk
