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Total Mods: 7 Joined: May/19/2007 Posts: 2107 |
![]() Topic: Suspensions and Weight limitsPosted: August/23/2008 at 9:32am |
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I noticed a mention to weight limits in "suspension experiences" and was interested in Learning more about this.
Thanks guys "Edited as cheesestix proved a point :P" Edited by Laura0Face - August/23/2008 at 1:18pm |
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Miss.Bubbles
"You got a problem? Get some vitamin C down your throat and grow the fuck up" |
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Total Mods: 52 Joined: February/18/2007 Posts: 1878 |
![]() Posted: August/23/2008 at 10:05am |
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Well, I think (that's right, I said it!) that weight is irrelevant to the ability to suspend, unless your morbidly obese (600 pounds?!) It's just a matter of having the correct amount of hooks for your weight, and proper rigging.
Edit:
Edited by CheeseStix - August/23/2008 at 10:07am |
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Total Mods: -27 Joined: March/07/2005 Location: Canada Posts: 409 |
![]() Posted: August/23/2008 at 11:16am |
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Weight is a factor, but there aren't any specific limits. A heavier person may need a few more hooks, or thicker hooks (we usually use 8ga hooks, but have 6ga as well for heavier people/people who want fewer hooks). I've heard quite a few times "I want to, but I'm too heavy" and I wonder where this misconception comes from.
Unless your weight is causing immediate and serious health concerns (which would most likely disqualify you anyways) it shouldn't be a problem. |
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Total Mods: 34 Joined: April/14/2005 Location: United States Posts: 107 |
![]() Posted: August/23/2008 at 8:44pm |
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I agree wit Montana and Cheesestix. And with the bigger hooks they have a larger dynamic load as the smaller ones. So the bigger the hook...the more weight you can have.
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"I do it cause i want to. Not because everyone else is doing it!!!!!!"
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Total Mods: 31 Joined: January/22/2007 Location: Australia Posts: 149 |
![]() Posted: August/23/2008 at 11:10pm |
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I think it also makes a difference whether you are doing a static or dynamic suspension (don't even know if they are the right terms or not). So if you are just doing a standard up you go suspension with a bit of swinging that won't put as much pressure on the hooks as say dipping you up and down like a teabag. What I'm trying to say is for a person who is new to suspensions they really don't have much to worry about the weight limits as long as they have a good team behind them.
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Total Mods: 5 Joined: June/25/2008 Posts: 926 |
![]() Posted: August/24/2008 at 12:31am |
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I read an FAQ about suspensions somewhere... might have been BME? (I'll look it up when I get home and have a faster internet connection.)
Anyway, it had a section that talked about how much weight your flesh can hold without tearing... but I think that I remember the page saying the flesh on your back tears at about 60 pounds (per hook)... unfortunately, I've seen plenty of people prove that that is a low estimate...
... I guess this post has been kind of pointless. :-X
**edited to remove double post Edited by CheeseStix - August/24/2008 at 10:53pm |
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I mean, you just don't know. Maybe I have a monster vagina, with teeth, and tentacles. Did you ever consider that?!
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Total Mods: 14 Joined: March/01/2008 Posts: 566 |
![]() Posted: August/24/2008 at 9:21pm |
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I'd worried about the whole weight thing before, I'm not techniquely overweight but I'm quite tall and therefore heavier. I used to think my skin would just break =P. But, skin is so amazingly strong. People just don't realise! I watched a lot skin stretching activities. Now however, I just worry about breaking the support/ropes.
I get to go to a suspension soon ^^ Not sure if I'll actually suspend or just watch this first time. I'm too scared to ask, heh. I really waana give it a go though!
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Recieving transmission from David Bowie's nipple antennae!
"No, Marge. Everything penis-shaped is bad." --Associate Professor Jerk |
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Total Mods: 34 Joined: April/14/2005 Location: United States Posts: 107 |
![]() Posted: August/26/2008 at 7:45pm |
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As for the rope issue. Our team uses 5150 parachute cord. We have never had a cord split or tear. So you don't have to worry about that.
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"I do it cause i want to. Not because everyone else is doing it!!!!!!"
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Total Mods: 19 Joined: August/17/2006 Location: Canada Posts: 181 |
![]() Posted: August/28/2008 at 11:03pm |
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My knees and chest tore a bit, (enough to need sutures) and I weigh 115lbs. I think its just my skin. My knees were 4pt 8ga, and my chest was 2pt 6ga. I've hung by a single 6ga hook in my back a few times and had no problems, even with swinging.
There are a new style of hooks out. Gilson Hooks. That really bring down the rate of tearing, are safer, a bit harder to insert, and apparently more comfortable. I'm buying some and doing a 2pt suicide with them to see how it feels. If hooks are re-used, they can weaken. I know of a team that used to re-use hooks so that they would straighten during performances (mostly throat pulls) and impress the audience... I don't think that was very smart.. but every time they're autoclaved they lose a bit of strength. This isn't as true for 6ga hooks, or Gilson hooks. I've re-used 8ga hooks, but only once, and it was for a coma suspension, so there were 10 hooks taking my weight, and there was no tearing/bending. I'd love to straighten a hook.. but I'm afraid I'd tear the shit out of my backpiece... |
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