Independence Hike - Adjustment and Fit; Adjusting Chest and Shoulder Belts; Speed Bar Attachment and Adjustment; Protector Operation and Safety

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With the harness system Hike you bought one of the most comfortable and lightweight harness, which is available on the
market at present. Thank you for your confidence. Please read this instruction carefully and consider, that Independence
is not liable for accidents and damage which result from disregarding of this operating instructions.
Technical description:
The Hike is a harness for the use in a not motorized paraglider. The Hike is designed as a lightweight reversible
harness and has no integrated rescue system and no built in back protector. A detachable back protector can be
mounted as well as an external rescue system container (for example frontcontainer). It got certified according
En1651 and in combination with the detachable Hike back protector according LTF 91/09. Certification No.: EAPR
GZ-0008/14.
Overview:
technical datas
max. load 120 daN
harness weight 1,4 kg
hangpoint height 52 cm
protector system Airbag
English version:
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Schematic description how
to mount the speedbar
a) Main suspension
b) Lateral chest belt / adjustment buckle
c) Chest belt with adjustment buckle
d) Leg belts with buckle
e) Shoulder belt with adjustment buckle
f) Pulley / ring for speed bar line
g) Suspension for rescue parachute
h) Suspension for protector
i) width adjustment leg belts
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Adjustment possibilities:
Adjustment possibilities are existing at the shoulder belts, the chest belt and the lateral chest belts.
By the versatile adjusting possibilities of the Hike we recommend in any case that all adjustments and settings are done in
a simulator before the first flight to guarantee an optimal comfort.
The buckles of the chest and leg straps are secured against unintentional opening. To open these buckles you have to
push the red button and slide out the counter part.
Adjust the chest belt:
The chest belt is closed together with the leg straps. The length of the chest belt can be adjusted by the plastic buckle and
should not be tightened too much.
Adjusting the shoulder belts:
Please note that with correct adjusting the shoulder belts are felt with light pressure on the shoulders. With the shoulder
belts you adjust the harness on the pilot’s heigh, but also you adjust the seating position between upright and lying.
Adjusting the lateral chest belts:
Adjusting the lateral chest belts take place as the third step and offers on one side again the variation of the seating
position. On the other hand you adjust with the lateral chest belts the most comfortable seating position. During the
adjustment pay attention to the fact that the body load is distributed equal on shoulder belt and lateral chest belt.
Adjusting of the leg belts:
The leg belt lengths are fixed and cannot be adjusted.
Attaching the speed bar:
You can see in the schematic description how the speedbar line is running. The line of the speedbar runs down from the
risers to the pulley near back part of the leg loops, now through the lower ring at the front of the leg loops. Then the line
gets connected to the speedbar.
The length of the speedbar line must be adjusted in a simulator before flight!
Operating notes:
Operation of the protector:
The Hike has a detachable, type certified back protector which is filled by back pressure. The outline seams are
reinforced that the protector can be almost filled before take off. The protector will be attached by 6 velcro straps at the
belt loops on the harness (see fig. 8). Before every take off the protector must be checked if the air intake with the valve is
working and if the protector is mounted correct.
During a hard landing the air inside of the protector will be compressed and will be deflated through the seams of the
nylon fabric cover. The resulting deceleration distributes the impact energy over a longer period and protects the spine
from extreme peak loads. The G-forces achieved in the type certification were very good. However, even the best back
protection does not guarantee the prevention of back injuries!!!
For this reason, the protector should not be used for unnecessary seat board landings. With every use the protector will
be less efficient and the effect of protection less - even if no damage is visible.
If a damage is visible the protector is not to be used anymore as well as after a hard landing!! In this case the protector
must be exchanged or repaired from an authorised dealer/workshop.
Before use of the harness the following points should be checked:
! Outer shell of the protector and the entire belt system intact?
! Protector mounted correct, air intake free, valve intact and protector almost inflated?
! Rescue container and release handle properly closed and mounted?
! Acceleration system (if mounted) properly mounted and adjusted?
! All harness buckles properly closed and adjusted?
Maintenance / service life of the protector:
The protector is almost maintenance free. Before each take off the protector should be checked if in right position and
inflated. Visible damage (holes, cracks) must be repaired, otherwise the outer shell can break during an impact with a
loss of damping.
After a hard landing with the use of the protector as well as if a damage is visible the protector must be repaired or
exchanged by the manufacturer or an authorised dealer/workshop.