As skydivers, we place an incredible amount of faith in a backpack full of nylon and lines. We hurl ourselves out of a perfectly good airplane, trusting that this equipment will perform flawlessly. But here’s the secret: that trust isn’t built on magic or blind luck. We build that trust on the ground, long before we ever board the plane. We build it through active, diligent, and consistent gear maintenance.
Maintaining your rig isn’t a passive chore you outsource entirely to your rigger (though they are your best friends!). It is an active part of every single jump. You actively perform a gear check before you put your rig on. You actively check your handles before you exit. This same hands-on philosophy extends to the long-term health of your equipment. When you actively inspect your gear, you stop being a passenger and become the pilot in command of your own safety. You proactively find small issues, like a tiny bit of fraying or a sticky pin, before they can ever dream of becoming big problems in the sky.
Think of your gear like a high-performance car. You wouldn’t just drive it until a wheel fell off, right? You check the oil, you inspect the tires, and you listen for weird noises. Your rig deserves that same active attention. Let’s look at the “hotspots” that demand your focus.
The “Go Button”: Your Pilot Chute and Bridle
This is where the magic starts. You grab, you pull, you throw. That’s a lot of action for one piece of equipment.
- The Pilot Chute: Actively inspect the handle (whether it’s a hackey, a freefly pud, or a simple toggle) for any fraying or wear. Your grip needs to be secure. Check the mesh or fabric of the pilot chute itself. Small snags from landings in bushes can turn into bigger holes.
- The Bridle & Pin: This is the lifeline to your main canopy. You must trace its path. Look for abrasion or “fuzzies” along the entire length of the bridle. Pay close attention to the stitching that connects it to the pilot chute. Most importantly, check your pin. Is it clean? Is it straight? Is it free of any corrosion or sharp edges? A “sticky” pin, or one that is slightly bent, can dramatically change the pull force you need. You want that deployment to be smooth and predictable, every single time.
The Control Center: Lines, Risers, and Toggles
These are your steering wheel, your gas pedal, and your brakes. They are constantly in motion, under load, and rubbing against other components.
- The Lines: Your lines do a ton of work. Inspect them for obvious fraying or broken strands. Pay special attention to the areas near the links (where they attach to your risers) and up high, where they cascade and attach to the canopy. Over time, lines also stretch or shrink at different rates, which can make your canopy fly unevenly. This is why line sets have a fixed lifespan.
- The Risers: These are the anchor points. Check all the stitching, especially where the hardware (like your 3-rings) is sewn in. If you fly a 3-ring system, you must keep those rings and the loop clean and serviceable. Inspect the elastic or velcro “keepers” that hold your brake toggles. A loose toggle that snags on something during deployment is a major hazard you can easily prevent.
The “Life Raft”: Your Container and Canopies
This is the house for all the important components.
- The Container: You must inspect all the structural webbing on your harness. Look for any fraying on the leg straps, chest strap, and main lift web. These parts take your opening shock. The most critical, high-wear item you must check is your main closing loop. This little loop holds the pin and takes a beating from every packing job. A worn-out loop can break, leading to a premature opening.
- The Canopies: Both your main and reserve are your wings. While your rigger is the only one who should be inspecting your reserve, you should actively look over your main. After a rough landing, check for any small tears, snags, or “popped” stitches. A tiny hole can become a big tear under the stress of opening.
Your gear is your partner in the sky. Loving your gear means inspecting it, cleaning it, and getting it to a certified rigger for its regular check-ups and reserve repacks. When you take an active role in your gear’s health, you’re not just preventing a problem; you save your own life. everytime.
If you need help with your inspections, get hold of me here: bev@jsc.co.za
To book your adventure, you can click here.
Check out our social media pages for more updates.
