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Did my leg really just stop working?!


Ramon Engle

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So i'm working a live to tape event. I end up standing still for way too long and I feel my leg going to sleep. This has happened before but with no serious consequences. This was different.

My leg continued to numb. Eventually it felt as if my foot was pushing through the floor. Then my left leg just failed at the knee and I went down. My knee drove into the floor. I caught myself from completely collapsing into a yardsale. A couple of cable pullers ran over and picked me up. By the way this happened on stage in front of 2600 people. Uber embarrassing. The only thing hurt was my pride.

Has this ever happened to anyone else?

 

Ramon

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Ramon,

 

I bought my Klassen Deluxe back in 2005. It came in while I was in the middle of a movie and I did not use it right away. I worked with it through lunch a few days to try to get used to how different it was. After about a week of demoing it between shots and at lunch I decided to start using it on some shots. I had great success right off the bat however I had one shot that was a lock off that was about 2 pages (steadi-sticks). The rig was built, they were in a hurry as usual, etc. It was one of those lock off shots where I had to put the rig on my opposite side of my body for better eye line. Still flying the rig from normal but swinging the sled to the right side. I felt a strange feeling in my legs toward the end of the shot but just thought it was because I don't normally have the rig on that side of my body,etc. As they cut the scene and I moved the rig to my other side (normal side) my legs totally collapsed under the weight of the rig as the blood began to flow again. Thankfully the Gaffer of all people happened to be standing next to me and he caught me before I hit the ground. Scared the crap out of me.

 

From that day forward I raised the bottom of my Klassen Harness with the shoulder straps above my belt line and I have never had that problem again. I love my Klassen Harness and I use it for 95% of my work. I still use a traditional vest for tight quarters when the Klassen is to wide. I know many operators started with the Klassen but had this issue then went back with the PRO and TIffen vests. I suggest raising the harness before giving it up. I am one of the believers that this harness helps me be a better operator. I also keep my traditional vest around for tight quarters and running shots and just a back up in general.

 

I have done lots and lots of long shots that ended in several pages locked off with no problem since that day. I am not saying my way is the perfect way but it certainly works for me.

 

Here is a somewhat recent photo of me in the rig and you can see how high I keep it. Hope this helps.

 

Good luck!

 

Fracol

post-938-1251663077_thumb.jpg

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Were you using your AR Ramon?

Hey Mike. No I wasnt flying the AR. It was my PRO sled with an Ikegami No-deck camera.

Steve thanks for the advice. I do wear my Klassen Harness low. Actually very low. I find that it spreads the weight out to my thighs and very little to my back. I'll try raising it with the straps. Your perscription for relief sounds sensible.

Thankfully I've a got a couple of days off before straping it back on but that WILL be the AR.

I'll report back on any improvement.

Thanks guys for the input.

 

Ramon

 

P.S. Thanks to Dave Eastwood for the use of his fiber jumper cable. Life saver.

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Just adding my 2 cents in agreement with the advice mentioned to raise the harness.

Also, once raised, remember to double check it throughout the day because under load it may go lower a little at times.

I shoot a lot of live stuff and find the Klassen harness to give me major advantage in this arena over the front mounts, but everyone's different.

If you find yourselves with more live gigs and you own a Klassen harness, Walter can hook you up with a nice little triax/fiber cradle which can be mounted on the lower back side of the harness.

 

Peace!

 

Bry

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Also, once raised, remember to double check it throughout the day because under load it may go lower a little at times.

 

Yes, Mine will slowly fall but it seems to take a few days sometimes a week depending on the workload. Still well worth it in my opinion.

 

Steve

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So i'm working a live to tape event. I end up standing still for way too long and I feel my leg going to sleep. This has happened before but with no serious consequences. This was different.

My leg continued to numb. Eventually it felt as if my foot was pushing through the floor. Then my left leg just failed at the knee and I went down. My knee drove into the floor. I caught myself from completely collapsing into a yardsale. A couple of cable pullers ran over and picked me up. By the way this happened on stage in front of 2600 people. Uber embarrassing. The only thing hurt was my pride.

Has this ever happened to anyone else?

 

Ramon

 

after hearing about this yesterday, the first thing out of my mouth was, Was it a WK Vest? I have only used one once for a live to tape show and my leg fell asleep as well, but I have to agree with Steve, riding it higher seems like the solution. Just as an FYI I wear my Pro Vest at the top of my hop bones, just high enough so I can squat down while wearing the rig

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  • 2 weeks later...
So i'm working a live to tape event. I end up standing still for way too long and I feel my leg going to sleep. This has happened before but with no serious consequences. This was different.

My leg continued to numb. Eventually it felt as if my foot was pushing through the floor. Then my left leg just failed at the knee and I went down. My knee drove into the floor. I caught myself from completely collapsing into a yardsale. A couple of cable pullers ran over and picked me up. By the way this happened on stage in front of 2600 people. Uber embarrassing. The only thing hurt was my pride.

Has this ever happened to anyone else?

 

Ramon

 

 

Awww, careful Ramon! I could see how a nerve could be pinched in that situation. Thanks so much for helping us out on FBC! The footage looked awesome!

 

-Kelli

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  • 1 month later...

I'm sorry for coming to this thread late as I cling fervently to the belief that there are "no stupid questions." If you raise the BM vest to eliminate the nerve impairment, does this partially decrease the load bearing ability of the hips which is a key factor of the BM vest?

 

A follow up question if I may. I did a search for comments but wanted to find more current feedback regarding the issue of whether the BM dual mount vest is the best of both worlds. The benefits of a BM with better clearance. What are the drawbacks?

 

Thank you

Anthony Planes

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One major change to the BM vest is the new front with the 4 ratchets, 2 on each side.

They allow the front (belly-panel) to be angled, putting some more tension on the abdomen but but less tension on the hipbones and the top of your legs.

Since I have this upgrade, I can tweak the harness much better. I also wear it a bit higher and adjust the tension tighter in my belly.

 

No tingling legs anymore! :rolleyes:

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  • 4 months later...

Hello Gentlemen

 

I know this thread passed away due to natural causes months ago but I did want to get feedback about the trade off between eliminating the leg numbness and sacrificing the comfort of having your hips carry the load.

 

If you raise the harness to eliminate the leg tingles, don't you also take away the benefit/comfort of hips supporting the bulk of the weight. Doesn't this also cause discomfort to the abdomen? Is there a magical sweet spot where you get the best of both worlds?

 

On a side note, what are the pros/cons of carbon fiber arm placement on the back of the vest.

Is lower and closer always better?

 

Thanx

Anthony Planes

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So i'm working a live to tape event. I end up standing still for way too long and I feel my leg going to sleep. This has happened before but with no serious consequences. This was different.

My leg continued to numb. Eventually it felt as if my foot was pushing through the floor. Then my left leg just failed at the knee and I went down. My knee drove into the floor. I caught myself from completely collapsing into a yardsale. A couple of cable pullers ran over and picked me up. By the way this happened on stage in front of 2600 people. Uber embarrassing. The only thing hurt was my pride.

Has this ever happened to anyone else?

 

Ramon

 

 

Hey Ramon,

 

sometimes i have the same problem with my BM. My leg fell asleep. Yesterday i have send Walter some photos how i wear the Vest. So he can figuer out if i wear it too low. I would say you do the same. Give walter a call or send him an email. He is a really nice guy and will help;-)

But i think raising it too high will cause much more strain on the back.

Best from cologne

Daniel

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