Tips for not getting the vest rip cord pulled accidentally?

[Kevin Andrews SOC]

So I've seen lots of Operator photos on almost everyone's site. (minor stalker factor, not the killing kind, no worries)

 

I see the rip cord dangling off the back of the vest (ultra, master, or efp) especially between where it connects the back to the waist.

 

Is there any good way to protect this from getting accidentally snagged, like on a door knob, or by a door knob like assistant?

 

I've tried tucking it up, but that just sounds wrong. :lol:

 

Seems like it would be a major problem if this happened. The picture on my homepage made me wonder, I was switching all over that staircase and what if I friggin caught that cord on the end of a railing. Peace out camera. Scary stuff.

 

Thanks!!

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

So I've seen lots of Operator photos on almost everyone's site. (minor stalker factor, not the killing kind, no worries)

 

I see the rip cord dangling off the back of the vest (ultra, master, or efp) especially between where it connects the back to the waist.

 

Is there any good way to protect this from getting accidentally snagged, like on a door knob, or by a door knob like assistant?

 

I've tried tucking it up, but that just sounds wrong. :lol:

 

Seems like it would be a major problem if this happened. The picture on my homepage made me wonder, I was switching all over that staircase and what if I friggin caught that cord on the end of a railing. Peace out camera. Scary stuff.

 

Thanks!!

 

 

When I had a 3A suit I safety wired mine "shut". If you think that might be "Dangerous" then ponder this, The Pro Suit and the Klassen Back Mount have no Rip Cord.

[Jerry Holway]

Kevin-

 

On the U2 vest, it's actually very hard to pull the cord hard enough to get the vest to separate - and it's almost impossible for the vest to release accidently.

 

To be sure the vest will separate, you have to prep the length of the cord, unsnap two snaps, and separate and put back together all the velcro - and even then it takes a very strong pull.

 

I prep my vest whenever I'm near a stunt, soft-mounted on a vehicle, or working over water. Peace of mind.

 

I almost used it twice, but I would have refused to do some work without it available.

 

For the photos in the book where I pull the cord as a demo (with a real Arri SR aboard!), I had to pull the cord very, very hard.

 

Old vests (like the 3) had pins that either would separate unintentionally (hence Eric's fix), or get bent and not release when desired. Hence the design changes to all the newer vests.

 

Another issue related to the handle is it moving around - I've spent more time trying to secure it neatly; gaffer tape works best.

 

Jerry

[Kevin Andrews SOC]

Thanks Eric and Jerry for the tips.

 

Let's hope none of us have to pull it anytime soon.

 

PRO and WK users just have to be quick on their feet I guess.