On Monday, May 4, 2020 at 7:09:11 AM UTC-6, wrote:
I attended Dave Nadler's presentation at the 2020 SSA Convention about his bailout in Utah and its aftermath https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8I3A3dqsu0&t=3s
It got me thinking about my own preparedness, and I have to admit that I am not carrying enough on my person if I ever "have to go for help." (As our ex-Air Force airport manager describes a bailout.)
I've been thinking about fishing/photographers vests with a lot of pockets, but the parachute and seat belt harness straps interfere with comfort and safety. Small kits like the SMAK PAK are a good start, but I'd like to carry more stuff, like a hat, spare glasses, water etc. I am thinking of an Air Force type flight suit with leg pockets, at the risk of being called a fighter jock wannabe.
Possibly a thin pocketed backpack that could fit between the 'chute and your body, if it could be made comfortable and not interfere with the seating position in the glider would work. But what to put in it and how to you pack it to avoid lumps and stuff digging into your kidneys?
Any ideas or suggestions? What works for you?
I've been thinking about this a bit lately. I have one of these:
http://www.hillpeoplegear.com/Produc...1/ProductID/71
In concept, it is quite good. Lots of room to keep lots of important stuff, and my Softie can be worn over it. However, in practice, when I put both of them on, the parachute harness straps don't quite fit with it nicely (my parachute has the aerobatic harness with crossed straps in the front). The bigger problem though is that I have so much stuff stuffed in the kit bag that it is quite thick. And it rides at the same level as the D-handle for the rip chord, making it more awkward to access the D-handle. This is a definite no-go. However, if I had a conventional harness with the transverse cross strap, it could fit a bit better. This doesn't solve the problem of it being so thick and interfering with access to the rip chord though. So my considered solution to that would be either:
1. Don't stuff it so full, or
2. Use a thinner kit bag like this:
http://www.hillpeoplegear.com/Produc.../1/ProductID/6