Figure 2-30.  Safety Stow$^{®}$. Figure 2-28.  Hesitator loops. Figure 2-29.  Para-Flite O-rings. Figure 2-27.  Tail pocket. Securing the Deployment Device  With all deployment methods, it is necessary to properly  fold or stow the canopy and secure the deployment device  with the lines. The early parachutes utilized hesitator loops  to secure the lines.  [Figure 2-28]  This method is still used  today in many military systems. the “O” rings with the Safety Stow $^{®}$. The Safety Stow$^{®}$ is  a continuous loop of elastic shock cord that runs through a  webbing channel and through two grommets to secure the  first two locking stows.  [Figure 2-30]  In the event of any  restriction on the locking stow, as the loop stretches, it allows  first one side to release and then the opposite side.  It is important to maintain the rubber bands or  Safety Stow$^{®}$.  Rubber bands are susceptible to heat degradation and may dry  out. If they break prematurely during use, the parachute may  malfunction. Non-mil. specification rubber bands may react to  natural brass grommets and may become gummy and sticky,  causing the lines to stick to the diaper or bag. Rubber bands  should be replaced during routine Inspection and Repack.  [Figure 2-31A and B] The BUNA-N “O” rings should be  replaced with the Safety Stow$^{®}$. The Safety Stow $^{®}$ should  be inspected for broken stitching or internal rubber strands.  [Figure 2-32] In modern designs that utilize types 1 through 4 and 6,  the preferred method of locking the deployment device is  rubber bands. The specification for standard rubber bands  is MIL-R-1832. Type 1 are made of natural rubber and are  1 ⁄2" × 2". These were designed for use with the thicker Type  III nylon lines such as on the 28' C-9 canopy. Many of the  newer lightweight, round canopies use smaller diameter and  fewer lines. Consequently, the standard rubber bands do not  work well. Some manufacturers supply smaller, 1¼" diameter  rubber bands to be used with their canopies. It is extremely  important to utilize the correct size rubber bands. In response to occasional violent openings on ram-air  canopies, Parachute Labs (Jump Shack) in 2003 introduced  the “speed bag” to eliminate “line dump” (line strip). The  lines are retained in rubber bands 25 percent in from the edge  of the bag. This balances the mass of the stows between the  With the introduction of the free bag system in 1977, Para- Flite, Inc., used a BUNA-N “O” ring to secure the locking  stows.  [Figure 2-29]  During testing of the free bag system,  they found inconsistent holding and breaking strengths of  rubber bands. They wanted the locking stows to release at a  consistent force to prevent bag lock. The “O” rings provided  this. A couple of years later, the “O” rings were upgraded to  a thicker diameter model. In 1983, Para-Flite, Inc. replaced  Change 1 (December 2015) 2-14