We recommend the installation of a reserve in a harness should be done by a qualified person.
If any part of a harness/container/reserve combination is new or has been changed, the correct installation and deployment of the harness/container/reserve combination must be proven by a test deployment, also known as a Compatibility Test – See details in chapter 7.
Every reserve/harness/container combination has its own peculiarities. It is essential for pilots and packers to familiarise themselves with the system and how it works. This is the only way to ensure reliable functioning.
There are different ways to combine the rescue parachute with the harness or external container. Please ask an experienced person if you are unsure about the best solution for your harness/reserve container system. Correct installation of the reserve in the harness or external container is described in the manufacturer’s manual for the relevant harness/container.
With an integrated inner container
Most modern harnesses have their own integrated inner container to install a reserve. For some harness manufacturers, the use of the integrated container is obligatory. If your harness has an integrated container, this is the recommended fitting method.
The certified reserve compartment volume of the harness (see manufacturer's manual), must be compatible with the certified packing volume of the reserve. The certified packing volume is shown on the certification label of every SQR reserve.
If installing into an integrated inner container, the reserve should be removed from the factory-delivered inner container. Depending on your configuration, sometimes a partial or full repack of the reserve is required so that it matches the shape/size of the integrated container to be used.
The packing section of the manual gives detailed instructions on how to do this. We strongly recommend you watch the Companion online video about packing and folding to size.
With a SQR inner container
SQR reserves are delivered from the factory in the SQR inner container. If your harness does not have its own inner container for the reserve compartment, or the manufacturer allows the use of third party inner containers, you should use the SQR inner container, as supplied from the factory.
Take care to choose the correct inner container attachment loop. There is a choice of two loops for attaching the reserve handle (see Fig 3). The correct one to use depends on the length of line from the handle and the shape and position of your harness reserve compartment. Please follow the advice in your harness manual.
The certified reserve compartment volume of the harness (see manufacturer’s manual) must be compatible with the certified packing volume of the reserve. The certified packing volume is shown on the certification label of every SQR reserve.
With an external (e.g. front) container
In some situations an external container could be the best way to install a reserve. For instance:
- Your harness does not have a rescue compartment, as is the case with some Hike&Fly harnesses,
- You do not want to use the reserve compartment of your harness for the reserve,
- The reserve size is not compatible with the certified harness compartment volume,
- You carry a second reserve as backup, in an external container,
- Ergonomic issues, e.g. you could not reach the reserve handle of the harness,
- Front container placement of the reserve is preferred by the pilot (e.g. quicker deployment time, or by habit),
- Paramotors, trikes and older harnesses may not have a built in reserve compartment at all.
Depending on the construction of the external container, in most cases the SQR inner container should be used to install the reserve into the external container. Please refer to the manufacturer’s manual for the correct procedure.
If using an external container, it might be necessary to remove/reattach the container to the harness before/after each flight. Refer to the container manufacturer's user manual and the connected harness system.
The certified reserve compartment volume of the external container (see manufacturer’s manual), must be compatible with the certified packing volume of the reserve. The certified packing volume is shown on the certification label of every SQR reserve.
Take care to choose the correct inner container attachment loop, if using the SQR inner container. There is a choice of two loops for attaching the reserve handle (see Fig 3). The correct one to use depends on the length of line from the handle and the shape and position of your harness reserve compartment.
If the packed Companion reserve has to be removed from the SQR inner container, a partial or full repack of the reserve may be required so that it matches the shape/size of the container to be used.
The packing section of the manual gives detailed instructions how to do this. We strongly recommend you watch the Companion online video about packing and folding to size.
Avoiding canopy damage
When fitting the reserve into the harness, make sure that the inner container is neatly closed, so that the reserve fabric is completely protected from abrasion.
Connecting the reserve
This is a vitally important single-point connection. Your life may depend on it – literally! There are two accepted ways to connect a reserve to a harness/external container.
Connecting with a metal connector link
For connecting the reserve to the harness a suitable connector link (commonly referred to as a quick link or maillon) with a minimum breaking load (MBL) of 2,500 kg must be used. We recommend the stainless steel Maillon Rapide (MRNI) products from Peguet. This connecting link must be correctly closed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, and an O-ring or the supplied neoprene cover used to secure the bridle/webbing loop positions to prevent fraying/slipping around the quick link.
Direct looping
A direct loop-in-loop connection of the reserve bridle and harness V-connection is permitted for ADVANCE harnesses as long as the loop is centred and tightened. In addition to the correct looping, the loop knot must be secured with the supplied neoprene cover to prevent slipping (risk of fraying).
These findings are based on the results of an extensive series of tests carried out in 2017. Companion, together with ADVANCE, the German rope manufacturer Edelrid and the PMA (Paraglider Manufacturers Association), extensively tested the connection between ADVANCE harnesses and Companion reserves. The measured and documented strengths were far above the requirements of the standard.
We cannot make a general statement about the strength of direct looping connections when using harnesses from other manufacturers.