Differential Stow

[imported_Mac]

Is anyone doing this rather than using a TG? If so what are your reasons and your findings on using this method.

Thanks

Michael

[imported_Tom Aiello]

I played with it a while back. I did some jumps, watched the video, did some more, etc, but I never really did any good focussed research.

In general, my subjective observation was that the differential stow was harder to use properly, and more sensitive to packing than the tailgate. If done properly, the differential stow appeared nearly as effective, but I couldn't manage to do it properly every time.

Basically, I found the tailgate simpler and more reliable.

--Tom Aiello
tbaiello@mac.com

[pbla4024]

Nice thread. But what is it, differential stow?

[imported_Tom Aiello]

In short, the differential stow is putting the rear lines in the the locking stow, but not the front lines. The idea is to constrain the back of the canopy and encourage nose first inflation.

There are several variations, involving exactly which lines to put in the stow, and whether to stow the front at all, as well as a few other things.

--Tom Aiello
tbaiello@mac.com

[leroydb]

Tom, did you play with using the D/S method with a tailgate. The way you wrote it seems you didnt use a tailgate when using the D/S method.

Could one use both in the same pack job? what would the effects be?

[pBASEtobe]

Last year at Bridge Day I didn't have a tailgate (someone was packing for me) so they used the differential stow instead (still not exactly sure what it involves). The result was a line over, on my 3rd BASE jump I might add, that luckily cleared itself before I really realized what it was.

[Mac]

nice!

did the guy packing for you have alot of experience with the DS? I know a couple of people who have used it a bit and have had no problems, but as Tom mentioned, it takes a lot more thought and care than the TG.

Hey I know how to do it, but I would not be turning around surprised if i got a line over!!

Again, nice pic!!

[mknutson]

Can you post these images in the Photo Gallery under accidents please? High res if possible?
This way others can see these kind on incidents, and hopefully learn what they look like.

[pBASEtobe]

...did the guy packing for you have alot of experience with the DS?

I don't think so.

[Mac]

is the DS something that people are still learning about or is becoming a non taught method?

just curious...............

[Tom Aiello]

is the DS something that people are still learning about or is becoming a non taught method?

Most of the people I meet today haven't learned it. I think it's really only known to the old school (pre tailgate) jumpers and some weird tech-heads like us.

As a side note, Vertigo's (and other peoples) slider stow band is essentially a differential stow for slider up use.

[QuickDraw]

The result was a line over, on my 3rd BASE jump I might add, that luckily cleared itself before I really realized what it was.

That is a great photo.. any idea which line it was ?

[pBASEtobe]

That is a great photo..

It was taken by Steve Davies.

any idea which line it was ?

Nope. It cleared by the time I looked up to see why the canopy wasn't turning properly.