Ash dive with a tube

I've done a couple of ash dives with a fabric case on my arm but I just got a request for another ash dive and I am considering using a tube.

My thoughts are that I can put the ashes in the tube and fold the fabric a few times to keep them in there. I should be able to come up with a way to keep the fabric folded until it's time to release them in freefall.

Thoughts?

I've done it 3 times that way. The ashes blow up thru the tube very cleanly and keeps them out of the jumpers face and gear. I just used a couple of wide and long rubber bands to hold the package closed with a pull-up cord tied to the rubber bands and tucked under to make a good handle for pulling the rubber bands off. The trick to get it to work well is to spread the ashes out about 2 feet of the length of the tube. That keeps the weight from slumping lower than your hand when you pull the bands offf. I'll post a pic when I get home of the ash dive for my Best Man from a few years ago.

This is Jerry Girdlers ash dive from a few years ago. The effect from the ground of the ashes is pretty impressive. I think I modified that tube from just the 2 lines to 3 to keep the opening of the tube more horizontal, although once air is in the tube those ashes are gone!

Much thanks for this. The fact that the people on the ground know when the ashes go is a big plus.

Now I just need a tube....

Does anyone have a good (easy) tube design?

Over on www.homebuiltairplanes.com we discussed an even simpler method for spreading ashes from an airplane. Just take a long strip of [canopy] fabric and pore the ashes along the center-line. Fold the edges in lengthwise, then roll up the strip. Once out in freefall, allow the strip to unroll and release the ashes.

2 hours ago, riggerrob said:

Over on www.homebuiltairplanes.com we discussed an even simpler method for spreading ashes from an airplane. Just take a long strip of [canopy] fabric and pore the ashes along the center-line. Fold the edges in lengthwise, then roll up the strip. Once out in freefall, allow the strip to unroll and release the ashes.

Thanks Rob! 

It occurs to me that I could modify this slightly and use crepe paper much like we used for WDI. Then I wouldn't even have to worry if it got dropped in freefall and ended up in the canola. Finding and then getting anything out of canola sucks.

Edit to add: As I think about it more, light weight nylon fabric might indeed perform better and should not be a problem to hang on to by cutting a hole in one end to use as a handle. Easy to deploy for releasing the ashes and easy to get rid of if I'm unlucky enough to have a mal on the jump. Always have to consider the worst case.

10 minutes ago, IanHarrop said:

Thanks Rob! 

It occurs to me that I could modify this slightly and use crepe paper much like we used for WDI. Then I wouldn't even have to worry if it got dropped in freefall and ended up in the canola. Finding and then getting anything out of canola sucks.

Edit to add: As I think about it more, light weight nylon fabric might indeed perform better and should not be a problem to hang on to by cutting a hole in one end to use as a handle. Easy to deploy for releasing the ashes and easy to get rid of if I'm unlucky enough to have a mal on the jump. Always have to consider the worst case.

 

Hi Ian,

Since the device will be a crude, 1-time only thing, rather than cutting a hole in it [ maybe difficult to get your hand out, if needed ], just get a small piece of plastic tubing, fold over one end & sew the tubing in.  This gives you something to easily hold yet easy to get rid of, if necessary.

Jerry Baumchen

1 minute ago, JerryBaumchen said:

Hi Ian,

Since the device will be a crude, 1-time only thing, rather than cutting a hole in it [ maybe difficult to get your hand out, if needed ], just get a small piece of plastic tubing, fold over one end & sew the tubing in.  This gives you something to easily hold yet easy to get rid of, if necessary.

Jerry Baumchen

Thanks! I like this idea

Even simpler is to tie a piece of toilet paper tube to the bottom end of your strip. To help it withstand freefall winds, you might need to telescope 2 or 3 pieces of toilet paper tube.

I saved mine for the next use. You would be surprised at the number of times I've loaned it out.