Storage
Ultraviolet light, heat, humidity, sea water, aggressive cleaning agents, unsuitable storing and physical abuse ( dragging across the ground ) speed up the ageing process.
Maintenance
Cleaning
All rubbing and sliding action speeds up the harness fabric ageing process.
If your harness gets heavily soiled with dirt, grass stains, grease, cow dung, mold, resin or other dirt, just clean the fabric with a soft, damp cloth. Then allow the harness to dry thoroughly before packing it away.
It is best to use baby powder gently on adhesive residues.
Visual Inspection
Like any flying device, every harness should be routinely inspected by its pilot so that any damage to seams, straps etc. can be quickly detected and repaired. . Especially after a tree landing or a hard emergency landing on the protector, the harness must be visually inspected in detail for damage, before it flies again..
Packing the reserve parachute
Most reserve parachute manufacturers recommend maintenance or repacking of the reserve parachute every 6 months to ensure reliable and quick opening at all times. If the reserve gets wet, damp or overheated, it must be definitely repacked. We strongly recommend that you let a qualified person pack your reserve. ADVANCE also strongly recommends that you regularly check the yellow locking cables in the locking loops of your harness. It is sufficient to move the cables slightly.
Carabiner service life
EDELRID AURA
Maximum 5 years
The main support carabiners are high quality EDELRID Aura Alu Carabiners. Aluminium carabiners must be regularly visually inspected for metal discolourations, dents, obvious scratches or cracks. In addition you must be careful that a carabiner is always loaded vertically – along its major axis. If a carabiner shows any of the above visually evident conditions or has been incorrectly loaded, both carabiners must be replaced immediately. In any case the carabiners must be replaced no later than 5 years after being put into service or first flight (if unknown, 5 years after production date), and may not be used again. The production date is printed on the carabiner.
Air-Foam Hybrid
The foam protector does not require any special care, but it should definitely be inspected for possible damage after an impact. In case of damage to the outer shell, the protector must be replaced. If you are flying with the Permanent Protector system, also check the sleeve of the protector element.
Inspection
Inspect your harness regularly for damage and have it thoroughly visually inspected by a professional every 24 months. The inspection includes a visual assessment of the fabric, straps and connections, major stitching and main carabiners. All parts are inspected for tears, kinks, pre-damaged seams, damage and severe wear. Detected damage requires the harness to be professionally repaired before the next flight.
You can find more information about the check in the "Service" chapter of this manual or at www.advance.swiss.
Repairs
You should never carry out harness repairs yourself. The various seams are prepared with the greatest precision. Only the manufacturer or an authorised Service Centre should carry out repairs with original materials.
Disposal
Environmental protection plays an important role in the selection of materials and the manufacture of an ADVANCE product. We use only non-toxic materials and fabrics that are subjected to continuous quality and environmental impact assessments. When your equipment reaches the end of its useful life, please remove all metal parts (recycling) and dispose of straps and material in the designated facilities.