{"id":45483,"date":"2023-06-05T08:48:18","date_gmt":"2023-06-05T08:48:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.skydivemag.com\/new\/?p=45483"},"modified":"2023-06-13T08:22:51","modified_gmt":"2023-06-13T08:22:51","slug":"gear-wisdom-boc-pocket","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.skydivemag.com\/new\/gear-wisdom-boc-pocket\/","title":{"rendered":"Gear Wisdom: BOC Pocket"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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Did you ever consider the importance of checking and maintaining your BOC?!<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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 Newly replaced Javelin Odyssey BOC shows the fully elasticated BOC material holding the pilot chute in place until needed<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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BOC… the Bottom of Container pocket\/pouch\u2026 now you are going to ask, what about that?!<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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That spandex pocket we stuff our pilot chute in it, we don\u2019t care about it. Never even look at it! Come on, it is at the bottom of back of the container!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, that spandex gets worn out from time to time. The spandex pocket needs to be holding your pilot chute in place. The pocket mouth should be the same size as the rest of the BOC pocket meaning it’s the same tightness\/elasticity. Because of overusing the spandex pocket, the mouth loses its elasticity before the rest of the material. You may see some broken white pieces of elastic coming out, and\/or you could feel that the mouth part of the pocket is getting slack. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is a warning! Change your BOC pocket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Worn BOCs<\/span><\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The BOCs pictured below show loose spandex, some need immediate attention and others are warning signs.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    White elastic pieces showing<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>
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    End of BOC pouch frayed<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>
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    Loose BOC<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>
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    Baggy BOC <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    Why is it important to change this spandex?<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Loose spandex does not hold the pilot chute in position, it will not stay tightly in the pocket. Your pilot chute can move out during your walk to the aircraft and possibly slip out of the pocket. In freefall, it only takes a small piece of pilot chute material to catch the wind and it will be dragged out of the pocket and cause a premature opening. Hopefully this will not cause you and the others you are jumping with bigger problems. Your premature main deployment in certain situations may also cause issues with your reserve container and ultimately your reserve parachute. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    We spend so much money to change the tires of our cars for safety, so why not spend money on inexpensive BOC pocket maintenance for our safety and that of the others we skydive with?!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What can happen if your BOC pocket is loose?<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    This is one of the videos I found showing the consequences of a premature deployment:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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