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Laura0Face
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Quote Laura0Face Replybullet Topic: Suspensions and Weight limits
    Posted: August/23/2008 at 9:32am
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
Miss.Bubbles
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CheeseStix
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Quote CheeseStix Replybullet Posted: August/23/2008 at 10:05am
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:
Originally posted by MontanaPiercer

the suspension accident was discussing static and dynamic weight limits, and exceeding those with the given equipment, which wasn't rated high enough for what they were doing

with proper rigging and equipment there is NO limit to the size of the person being lifted



Edited by CheeseStix - August/23/2008 at 10:07am
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Keairao
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Quote Keairao Replybullet Posted: August/23/2008 at 11:16am
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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linkraver21
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Quote linkraver21 Replybullet Posted: August/23/2008 at 8:44pm
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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ditadahmer
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Quote ditadahmer Replybullet Posted: August/23/2008 at 11:10pm
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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that1chick
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Quote that1chick Replybullet Posted: August/24/2008 at 12:31am
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

So... about my last post... 
I remembered completely wrong.
 
Here is what an FAQ on BME says:
"How much weight can a single hook handle?

    This question is almost impossible to answer as each kind hook has a
    different load capacity. The most common 10ga through 8ga gauge
    stainless fishhooks normally hold about 80 pounds static weight with
    little or no flexing. If the suspendee swings during a suspension the
    force on the hook can change dramatically (the dynamic load generated
    will be much more than the static weight of the person and the rig).
    Hooks are always a crucial variable that must be tested.

    As for skin, different areas of the body handle weight differently. For
    example the back can hold over 250 pounds from one point, where knees
    seem to rip at around 100 pounds. Depth of the piercing can also play a
    dramatic role in tearing. The hook needs to be placed where the body's
    weight is evenly distributed over the hook. If the hook is placed too
    deep, the skin will bunch up causing the entire pressure to be placed
    on the entrance and exit points, conversely, if the piercing is too
    shallow, the force is focused on one point."

http://www.bmezine.com/ritual/susp-faq.txt


**edited to remove double post


Edited by CheeseStix - August/24/2008 at 10:53pm
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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Jesykka
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Quote Jesykka Replybullet Posted: August/24/2008 at 9:21pm
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. Unimpressed
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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linkraver21
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Quote linkraver21 Replybullet Posted: August/26/2008 at 7:45pm
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.   
"I do it cause i want to. Not because everyone else is doing it!!!!!!"
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bluestar
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Quote bluestar Replybullet Posted: August/28/2008 at 11:03pm
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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