Recognizing Early Rig Wear

An experienced rigger’s guide to recognizing early signs of fatigue in your gear

Let’s be real: skydiving gear is built tough, but it doesn’t last forever and it sure doesn’t file a maintenance request when it’s feeling worn out. That’s your job. Think of your rig like a seasoned skydiving buddy: it won’t complain unless something’s seriously wrong. But if you pay attention, it will drop hints when it’s getting tired.

Here’s how to catch those early signs of fatigue before your gear stages a protest at 3,000 feet.

Harness & Container: The Stitches That Hold It All Together

You might check the fabric, but what about the stitching? That’s where the magic — and the danger — can be hiding.

What to spot:

• Fuzzy or frayed threads, especially around the 3-ring junction, chest strap, main lift web, and leg straps
• Stitching that looks “sunburned” — UV damage makes threads brittle
• Webbing that’s gone soft or wrinkly, like old lasagna noodles — that’s a red flag

Rigger tip: Run your fingers along the seams. If anything feels sharp, stiff, or crusty, it’s time to dig deeper  or call your rigger.

3-Ring System: Clean, Flat, and Happy

Your 3-ring system should be the picture of efficiency.  Think zen garden, not tangled drawer.

Check for:

• Proper ring alignment: flat and orderly, not overlapped like a bad keychain
• Clean white loop:  no fuzz, no kinks, no mystery stains
• Cutaway cables: should slide out smooth, like butter on a hot biscuit

Rigger tip: Once a month, pull your cables out, clean them, and ask your rigger to show you how to apply silicone.

Risers & Toggles: Tiny Problems, Big Outcomes

Risers look innocent  but wear here can sneak up on you like an off-heading opening.

Key spots:

• Grommets and loops:  no frays, no stretching, no rough edges or grooves, and definitely no rust or corrosion
• Velcro on toggles (especially your reserve): should snap together, not flop like a lazy handshake (and watch your lines when doing so!)
• Slider bump stops: if they’re brittle or splitting, it’s time to replace
  

Bonus check: Inspect the stitching on your risers, especially around the toggle keepers.

Canopies & Lines: Don’t Trust a Pretty Pack Job

Your canopy might look great in the bag  but don’t be fooled. Aging lines and fabric can be subtle saboteurs.

What to inspect:

• Fabric with pinholes, weird spots, or fading.  UV is sneaky and silent
• Brake lines and cascades:  fraying means friction, and friction means failure
• Line trim: uneven lengths = unstable flight. Line checks should be routine, not just part of your reserve repack
• Pilot chute and kill line:  inspect the stitching on your PC handle, and check your kill line every time you measure line trim

Pro move: If you’re getting line twists or funky openings often, your lines might be out of trim. Have them measured every 100 jumps or whenever your openings start getting “weird.”

Reserve & AAD: Not Just Set-It-and-Forget-It

Yes, your reserve is packed by a rigger: no, that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook.

Things to check:

• Reserve closing loop: should not be chewed up or crusty
• AAD display: check battery level, service date, and position regularly
• AAD status: before every jump day, confirm it’s armed and showing the correct status
• Reserve pin & seal: make sure the reserve pin is seated properly and the seal is intact. A crooked pin can indicate excess tension: or worse
• Reserve pilot chute: make sure it’s seated tightly and not rocking side to side. On some rigs, it’s exposed and easy to inspect. On others, you’ll need to touch and feel to ensure no snag hazards are present

Rigger wisdom:

1. Reserve pins should sit like royalty: straight and secure

If your AAD light hasn’t blinked all morning, neither should you:  power it up before you gear up

Wrap-Up: Your Rig Is Talking — Are You Listening?

Skydiving is fun. Gear checks? Not as fun but it’s a hell of a lot better to find a gear issue in the hangar than during a cutaway sequence at terminal speed.

Early wear and fatigue don’t mean your gear’s done, they mean it’s talking. A little extra attention now keeps you jumping longer, safer, and with way more confidence. If you’re only having a rigger look at your gear every 180 days, you’re gambling with house money and the house always wins. A few minutes of inspection now beats a lifetime of hindsight. Don’t wait for your gear to scream. Listen when it whispers.