Sigma TANDEM VECTOR, Owner'S Manual

Page: 7 / 175

SIGMA TANDEM SYSTEM OWNER’S MANUAL
Page 2:172
Section 1: The Sigma Tandem System • Chapter 1 - New Features 11301 - 00.00.0000
INTRODUCTION
The Sigma Tandem System represents a giant leap forward in safety, comfort, and convenience. Unlike other tandem
systems, where the drogue was simply “added on” to existing container system designs, the Sigma Tandem System
was designed “from the ground up” as a drogue deployed tandem rig. It utilizes a drogue attachment system that is
integral with the main container closing system. That is to say, they are one in the same. When you close the main
container, you also attach the drogue. There is no 3-Ring to hook up and no pouch to close. When the main container
opens, the drogue is released. One cannot happen without the other. Once the main container is closed, the drogue
is then stowed exactly like a bottom-of-container hand-deploy pilot chute. Except, on this system, snagging the main
bridle will not cause an accidental container opening.
On all other tandem container systems, the main container closing and the drogue attachment are two separate
systems, at two different locations. While not unreasonably dangerous, such container systems have inherent
problems. They are complex and time consuming to pack, and this complexity sets up the possibility of multiple
packing errors. But by far the most important problem is, that these systems allow the possibility of the main
container accidentally opening, while the drogue is still attached. Since 1989, this scenario has killed 9 tandem pairs.
It is the leading single cause of tandem fatalities, accounting for almost one third of the total. By combining the
container closing and drogue attachment systems, the new Tandem Sigma eliminates this deadly malfunction.
And because the drogue is attached at the center of the main container, instead or either above or below it, as on
other tandem systems, the tandem pair’s body position during drogue fall is not too head high or head low, but
much closer to the normal face-to-earth freefall position of a solo jumper. This makes the Sigma Tandem System a
more realistic training aid for future skydivers.
THE DISK RELEASE SYSTEM
(PATENT ISSUED)
At the heart of this system is a specially designed 5-inch diameter disk with a 1-inch flanged “chimney” at its center,
through which the drogue bridle passes. This disk is connected to the bridle, about 3 feet from the deployment bag,
with a locking pin, which passes through the chimney and a loop on the bridle.
To close the main container, and anchor the drogue, you simply place the main bag in the container, and the disk on
top of the bag. You then pass the closing loop, which starts on the bottom flap, through custom D-rings on the other
three flaps, and then through a grommet back on the bottom flap, in a circular fashion, drawing the flaps snugly
around the disk chimney, thus capturing the disk under the four container flaps. The flanged chimney keeps the disk
centered in place and allows the drogue bridle to exit the container. The closing loop is secured with an eyeleted
metal pin through which two lengths of 1000 lb. Spectra line are looped and then secured a few inches below the final
grommet to form a pulley. The other end of each Spectra ripcord passes through its own metal housing, one to the
right, and the other to the left. Each drogue release ripcord is atached to a spherical ripcord handle by a loop-
through-loop connection, making ripcord replacement in the field quick and easy, without any tools. The system is
durable and fail-safe, in that total failure of one ripcord would not affect the function of the other.
THE RECOIL RIPCORD SYSTEM
(PATENT ISSUED)
A single 13-inch piece of bungee cord passes through both housings and elastically connects the
handles to each other. This holds them firmly against the end of each housing, and causes each
handle to recoil back into place after being pulled, or accidentally snagged. This means the handles