The PIA Symposium delivered some standout presentations this year, but one that truly stood out was Jyro\u2019s session on line wear and safety<\/strong>. This video is a must-watch for anyone flying a canopy, regardless of brand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As outlined in the video: <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Julien shares a simple formula to estimate the number of jumps your lines can handle: As explained in the video, a skydiver with a lower exit weight will get significantly more jumps from the same lines than a heavier skydiver\u2014even if both jump under identical conditions. Want to understand how this formula works and why visual checks aren\u2019t enough? Watch Julien’s full presentation below to learn the data behind it and how to apply it to your gear.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow do lines get damaged?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Formula for line life expectancy<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Vectran Weight \u2013 Exit Weight (lbs) = Expected Jump Number<\/strong>
You can expect about a one-pound decrease in line strength with every jump.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy Visual Line Wear Isn\u2019t Reliable<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
So relying on visual wear<\/strong> alone isn\u2019t a reliable tactic. Some jumpers may need to replace their lines while they still look fine, simply because their higher weight exposes the lines to higher loads. Meanwhile, a lighter jumper might continue using theirs safely until the lines appear visibly worn. <\/p>\n\n\n\n