No shoulder harnesses for Hillary?

#46 07-23-2008, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suzie Oberhofer

I want to pass on to all of you what Jim told me about the shoulder harness incident.

Hillary's chin strap caught the latch of her shoulder strap and it released it. When she pulled the parachute, the g-force caused her to slip out of the other shoulder strap because she has a very narrow upper body.

At NO time was there a mistake made by ANY of the team members failing to strap her in. It was a fluke thing and they are addressing the situation to make sure it never happens again.

DO NOT throw anyone under the bus on this!

Thanks

Thanks Suzie for setting the record straight!!

Visit my page on Youtube · #47 07-23-2008, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheryl Leister

ditz? I thought ditz was reserved for the females of the world and guys were putzes??

Didn't think of it earlier.

#48 07-23-2008, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJ Sapienza

Thanks for clearing it up Suzie,

Glad I missed seeing that one, my daughter too she would have freaked.

No Problem! I wanted to get the story from Jim so that we are ALL crystal clear as to what happened.

Jim did not want to see the footage either. I can't say I blame him! That was some pretty scary stuff.

#49 07-23-2008, 04:13 PM

Just so I understand Suzie, the chin strap hit the adjuster of the shoulder strap, not the latch, right?

#50 07-23-2008, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheryl Leister

ditz? I thought ditz was reserved for the females of the world and guys were putzes??

Leave it to you to clear that one up Cheryl

#51 07-23-2008, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Sweeney

Just so I understand Suzie, the chin strap hit the adjuster of the shoulder strap, not the latch, right?

It got caught on the latch and pulled it open.

#52 07-23-2008, 05:24 PM

So it was not a cam lock style latch? I didn't think anyone used the "arm" style latches anymore. Like this http://www.djsafety.com/main%20page_...22002-R_lg.jpg Even these have a velcro piece that prevents this from happening. I'm really confused.

Wish they would allow us to go back to the aircraft style, turn and hit style.

#53 07-23-2008, 06:13 PM

That is confusing. I can see the chin strap reaching the adjuster, but can't quite figure out how it reached the latch. Must be a lot different than the restraints in my comp dragster. Seems like it would have lifted the adjuster, loosening one side and then she slid out of the other side. Just my thoughts.

#54 07-23-2008, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Sweeney

So it was not a cam lock style latch? I didn't think anyone used the "arm" style latches anymore. Like this http://www.djsafety.com/main%20page_...22002-R_lg.jpg Even these have a velcro piece that prevents this from happening. I'm really confused.

Wish they would allow us to go back to the aircraft style, turn and hit style.

If it is a Simpson harness it has a lever that releases the cam lock.

#55 07-23-2008, 07:16 PM

Latch type is personal preference. My dad prefers the cam lock, brother prefers the lever type. Cam one you can pretty much attach in any order, latch type is a specific order. Cam lock type seem to work better with the DJ arm restraints.

#56 07-23-2008, 07:48 PM

The harness must always be able to release quickly , in case of fire , so its locked on , but in this case the release was by a chin strap. Yet another change everyone should pay attention to.

#57 07-24-2008, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Sweeney

So it was not a cam lock style latch? I didn't think anyone used the "arm" style latches anymore. Like this http://www.djsafety.com/main%20page_...22002-R_lg.jpg Even these have a velcro piece that prevents this from happening. I'm really confused.

Wish they would allow us to go back to the aircraft style, turn and hit style.

Hey Bill,
The article says on comp plus it's about 50/50 cam lock vs. lever style. An NHRA official speculated that the velcro piece was not there. Of course, that was only his particular speculation. Doesn't mean it's true. Also, doesn't mean he has any "inside information" or was even on the grounds at the time. Probably why he spoke under the condition of anonymity. I'm not sayin'...I'm just sayin'!

#58 07-24-2008, 11:47 AM

Thanks Dave. You likely meant this one Drag Racing Internet Magazine - Competition Plus.com which I hadn't seen yet.

Now it all makes sense. I had totally forgotten that Simpson even made that style latch and I have never used that type. Like I said earlier, the one I liked the best was the aircraft style where you have to turn it then hit it to get it to release.

I think Joe Hansen (DJ Safety) and or Tommy Abbott (Chute Metal) told me years ago that NHRA had outlawed those and they could not be certified with that hardware.

#59 07-24-2008, 12:04 PM

Having run both, the only problem I see with the cam lock ones are you cant tell by looking if they are all the way snapped in. And you can get them partially in without them "clicking in".

#60 07-24-2008, 01:22 PM

Good thread.

Would Hillary's lap still be restrained? She appeared to come up quite a ways..the slo mo was scary..and I'm certainly glad it was an uneventful run..by that I mean straight and no trouble.