RSL vs SKYHOOK | Interview with Greg Rau

What is the difference between a regular RSL (reserve static line) and a Skyhook equipped RSL? Brianne interviews UPT rep/rigger Greg Rau in the AXIS Flight School studio, as well as enjoying a weekend of intensional cutaways.
For more information about MARD systems, check out the article "MARDginal Analysis" by Riley Marshall, as well as the UPT website. Special thanks to Greg Rau, Derek Vanboeschoten, Mark Kirschenbaum (Hypoxic), and David Cherry (D-Squared).
www.skydivemag.com/new/mardgi...
‪@UPTVector‬

[@Dizzyswoops]

2:56 I'd love to see a third canopy beside them showing simple manual cutaway with no RSL/Skyhook

[@r0cketplumber]

I haven't jumped in 40 years (crushed a vertebra in '81) but I still follow the sport and enjoy it vicariously. This sort of tech also appeals to my engineer's inner nerd.

[@natemorga]

holy shit

[@theginganinjaofficial]

Better to have an not need, than need and not have.

[@amalekited]

Awesome comparison videos of the actual RSL/Skyhook deployments. Never seen this before.

[@cleanlife1305]

"Just buttering-up your disaster cake..." What an awesome line!

[@ST0RMTROOP3R]

Thank you for this! Great information and cool to see them side by side like that!

[@dingerbell100]

The cutaway footage speaks for itself folks. If your gear can be retrofitted with this device & you have not fitted it the ask yourself the question...what price on your life? If you are buying new gear then spend the extra few bucks.

[@NickButler]

Or buy an Infinity - their MARD is standard, not an option.

[@rkwynia]

Very informative on the differences. Thank you!

[@jimday666]

Cool, thanks for explaining and giving us a demo too! 2:56 rsl vs skyhook

[@nedflanders7352]

Great video. Awesome info. Thank you all.

[@kevinmcgrath127]

Brilliant explanation and comparisons…thanks both

[@natemorga]

This is the best explanation video i have seen on this topic!

[@user-kn5jh8rz2s]

Thank you this video influenced my choice of the right option when ordering a new satchel.

[@theranchproshop]

Nice Video. The one question about performing your EPs lower, was partially answered. One you should maintain you altitudes. Part of that reason is that the 'Skyhook RSL' system is not guaranteed to work or stay connected, so you might have a longer time/altitude to open.

[@bittan]

Fantastic ! Awesome comparison videos

[@michaelsage74]

I met Greg in Clewiston a few months back. Super chill guy and a pleasure to speak with.

[@tombeals8980]

Great video. But PLEASE increase the volume of your recordings. We can always turn it down but amplifying it can be problematical. Thankyou!

[@davidgrant9684]

Awesome video. Very informative!

[@JR-oy7pj]

Great comparison. Sold me on the Skyhook!

[@raihan7472]

Very informative and useful video... Liked it...

[@punkindrublic14]

Thanks for this great video...

[@shockwave6416]

Excellent content mate!

[@lawyerwebb]

I retro fitted my generation one Sigma rig with a SkyHook and ordered my V3 with one also. I’ll never be without a MARD again. It will always be a S. H. because I’m a WonderHogger since my first new rig 43 years ago! R. Webb D7014

[@tonyc223]

Did a intentional cut away to test a safety-flyer in my Wonderhog ..Memories..

[@Miglen]

Very informative!!

[@JoZibi]

Great explanation

[@spIette]

great explanation

[@marksadventures1606]

Mark Hewitt, the man, the myth, the legend!

[@maxmaxov1003]

🙏 Thanks

[@viktorsidor5612]

Skyhook is super:) I sometimes drop my town in tandem with my skydive instructor only with skyhook system :)

[@AltitudeOutlaw]

I'd like to see a comparison with a high speed malfunction on a Skyhook vs RSL. It's great and all that the Skyhook deploys the reserve canopy faster under a fully inflated canopy acting as a pilot chute, but what happens when you have a non-inflated canopy acting as such?

[@NickButler]

It still adds a lot of drag and still functions the same way - all it's doing is pulling the closing pin, the reserve is still going to be launched by the springloaded pilot chute.

[@ShaunC-s.c.]

There are videos on that

[@michaelpal7641]

So-What do I do with my rig with an RSL? Add the Sky Hook and take away the RSL or keep both? I only ask because it seems that both systems, in theory, are exactly the same-With the Sky Hook almost guaranteeing a reserve deployment much faster. This video shows the Reserve D bag and reserve opening almost a full 2-3 seconds over just the RSL

[@r0cketplumber]

I'd say you simply replace the old RSL with the Sky Hook, not mingling hardware from two different systems. The Sky Hook IS a DSL with an extra lanyard and its release hook. You really ought to have an experienced rigger trained on Sky Hook install it for you.

[@michaelpal7641]

@@r0cketplumber Thank you. After watching this, I would consider replacing the RSL with the Sky Hook-and getting it done by a Licensed FAA Rigger! Thanks again. Blue Skies!

[@loveguitar2x]

The main concern would be if you’re under a spinning main canopy... but I’ve have had that and the skyhook worked flawlessly.

[@NickButler]

A while back UPT published something about this, the myth of Skyhooks on a spinning mal causing line twists in a reserve doesn't really hold up, and kicking out of twists on a seven cell reserve is generally easier than a main.

[@sachettabomb]

If you're spinning because of say a line over, wouldn't you want to cut away, go back into free fall momentarily, then open reserve when you're stable to avoid a double mal? Just curious 🤔

[@ronaldonogueira74]

No, the Skyhook gets your reserve open so fast that line twists have almost no time to develop. Better stop the fall as quickly as possible and then deal with a few twists (if any). Trying to get stable has led many people to deploy the reserve too low.

[@flybeep1661]

RSL/skyhook make for a more twisted up reserve when doing cutaway procedure on a fast spinning downplane mal. It's not all benefits with RSL/skyhook but the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Only had one reserve, didn't have an RSL or skyhook. If I would get a new rig I probably wouldn't opt for an RSL or skyhook, did fine without it (perhaps better).

[@MaxMax-nb1lm]

You can do fine without a lot of things. It's just the weird cases where having it could have made a difference.

[@NickButler]

This is largely a myth, according to UPT.

[@gulyaskrisztian]

I’ve seen a case that would have much better without these stuff. Mostly with an intense, high performance canopy I fear it isn’t safe enough. My opinion is these should be useful only for student, tandem and low performance canopies, it is a great invent for these by the way. But me personally skip it and I’ll solve by hand if need.

[@jamesb7807]

Both are bad. Having your reserve deployed in an untimely manner can end up bad. Most of the poor reserve deployment I see are from jumpers deploying their reserve at the same time they cutaway. Not good. Chop your malfunction, take a moment to get stable, deploy your reserve. RSL and Sky hook don’t allow that. I’ve been jumping 30 years, 15 function out of 6000 jumps and that my 2 cents worth.

[@MT11222]

If you entangle with another skydiver after a good main and needs to reserve, you r rekt

[@ciaranhanvey501]

Great advice! Blue skies... Ciaran (Ireland) D11292.