Squirrel CRUX User manual

CONTENTS
The System.......................................................................................................................... 1
Closing Loops ...................................................................................................................... 1
Packing Tips ........................................................................................................................ 1
Container Closure ................................................................................................................ 3
Container Shape .................................................................................................................. 5
PC Placement....................................................................................................................... 5
Chest Strap ......................................................................................................................... 5
Integrated Risers................................................................................................................. 5
Dyneema Blend Webbing...................................................................................................... 6
Light Buckles ....................................................................................................................... 6
Inspection and Maintenance ................................................................................................. 6
Contact Us........................................................................................................................... 7
Please read this carefully before doing anything with your new container system
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR PURCHASE OF A SQUIRREL CRUX (“PRODUCT”). BY PURCHASING
THIS PRODUCT, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT ENGAGING IN SKY-DIVING, BASE JUMPING,
PARACHUTING, AND “WINGSUITING” IS AN INHERENTLY DANGEROUS ACTIVITY THAT REQUIRES
TRAINING, PROFICIENCY, AND SKILL. USE OF THIS PRODUCT MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR
DEATH. DO NOT USE THIS PRODUCT WITHOUT INSPECTING IT AND ALL OF ITS COMPONENTS
BEFORE EACH AND EVERY USE. YOU ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT EVEN WHEN PROPERLY
USED, THIS PRODUCT MAY CAUSE SERIOUS BODILY HARM OR EVEN DEATH. YOU, THE
PURCHASER, ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT THIS PRODUCT IS INTENDED FOR INHERENTLY
DANGEROUS RECREATIONAL PURPOSES, AND YOU ASSUME ALL RISK, RESPONSIBILITY, AND
LIABILITY WHATSOEVER FROM ANY AND ALL INJURIES (INCLUDING DEATH), LOSSES OR DAMAGES
TO PERSONS OR PROPERTY ARISING FROM THE USE OF THIS PRODUCT SOLD BY SQUIRREL, LLC
TO YOU, THE PURCHASER.
SQUIRREL IS NOT LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR INDIRECT
DAMAGES OR ANTICIPATED PROFITS, HOWEVER CAUSED, IN RELATION TO THE PURCHASE AND
USE OF THIS PRODUCT. IN NO EVENT SHALL SQUIRREL’S TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOU, AS PURCHASER,
OR YOUR ASSIGNS, HEIRS, REPRESENTATIVES, AND OTHER SIMILARLY SITUATED PERSONS, FOR
ALL DAMAGES, LOSSES, AND CAUSES OF ACTION EXCEED THE PURCHASE PRICE PAID BY YOU,
THE PURCHASER, FOR THIS PRODUCT. THIS PRODUCT HAS BEEN PURCHASED BY YOU “AS IS”
AND WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT
PERMISSIBLE PURSUANT TO APPLICABLE LAW, SQUIRREL, LLC DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS
OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, WARRANTIES OF TITLE AND IMPLIED WARRANTIES
OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
USER MANUAL

1
The CRUX is a BASE harness / container system with integrated risers. It is imperative that you take
the time to learn the proper assembly, packing, and closing procedures before you use this system.
If you are unsure of any aspect of the assembly or use of this system, stop use immediately and
seek professional instruction. We recommend that you assemble and pack this container system
under the guidance / instruction of a qualified BASE instructor or parachute rigger.
Your CRUX is shipped with two sets of closing loops. YOU MUST
ADJUST THE CLOSING LOOP LENGTH TO YOUR PARACHUTE
PACK VOLUME AND PACKING STYLE.
Install the shorter closing loop into the bottom flap of your
container, and the top (longer) loop into the floor-plate inside the
container. Use the washers provided. Place the smooth side of
the washer facing the knot, to minimize wear on loop. Washers
must be placed between the grommet and the knot to function
correctly.
THE SYSTEM
CLOSING LOOPS
Common techniques used to pack other 2-pin container systems, which use a floor-plate closing
method for the top pin, will work for the CRUX as well. Please keep these points in mind:
If the pack-job appears messy and disorganized, consider redoing it with improved technique.
Your CRUX must be packed cleanly in order to function properly. If you are unsure, do not jump it.
Contact Squirrel immediately with questions or concerns.
PACKING TIPS
1. We recommend placing your pull-up cord through the top closing loop before starting to
put your canopy in the container (easier to access, once the parachute is covering the loop).
2. You can place the tailpocket in the packing tray regular or inverse, high or low. However,
the placement shown here has proven to work well with this container.
3. The first fold should be just above the top closing loop. Leaving some empty space at the top
of the container will help to keep the top section low-profile and wrinkle-free.
4. The second fold should be at the bottom of the container. Leave the parachute bridle
attachment point exposed so the bridle route is clean.
5. When your CRUX is closed, the main pin cover flap should be cleanly seated. Check your
placement of the packjob volume. It should be dispersed evenly from corner to corner and
match the shape of the container. If too much volume is directly under or around the top pin,
the main pin cover flap may not seat properly. Your canopy should be folded into a flat and
rectangular configuration matching the container.

2
1 2
3 & 4
5

3
Always double check pin tension, orientation, and closure. There are many ways to pack a
container incorrectly. There is one best practice for packing and closing this container. The bridle
should be routed between the grommets, to the top loop, then the bottom. The pins should be
frowning to the right. In this configuration. With appropriate closing loop length, there should
be consistently low pin tension and minimal tendency to lock. It is imperative that you close the
container as directed.
1. Route the bridle from the attachment point on your parachute between the top and bottom
closing loop from left to right. Make sure that the Velcro tab on the bridle is affixed to itself
and free of any twists or knots. Make sure that both closing loops have the washers installed
properly and that they are adjusted to the correct length to provide the correct pin tension
for the volume of your parachute.
2. Insert the top pin through the top closing loop from left to right, frowning.
3. The bridle must be flat and free of any twists. Locate and align the bottom pin. Insert the
bottom pin through the bottom closing loop from left to right, frowning.
4. Check that both pins are “frowning” from left to right and that the ends of the pins are
pointing to the right.
5. Fold the bridle slack between the top and bottom pin back onto itself along with the closed
Velcro fold. Both of these folds should occur between the top and bottom pins.
6. Hold the Velcro tab and excess bridle between the pins with one hand, while you carefully
close the pin protector flap.
7. Tuck the top of the pin flap and the right side of the pin flap around the left sideflap, tightly
covering the pins and bridle.
8. Tuck the excess bridle under the right-side flap, out of the airflow, routing it towards the
BOC.
CONTAINER CLOSURE

4

5
The CRUX’s packing tray opens into a fully-flat configuration. The
CRUX’s diamond-shaped bottom corners should be folded inside
the container when closed. They can be folded up against the
sidewall, or down against the bottom flap. To avoid wrinkles or
an uneven surface, gently compress the packed rig to smooth
out the container.
The BOC PC is placed in a manner that the handle
of your PC should not be obstructed by the corner of
your container. When you reach back to take it, the
PC handle should be the first thing you touch.
The CRUX’s chest strap is made from 3000 lb. nylon webbing,
and the non-slip milled aluminum buckle is rated to over 14 kN.
As a single component, the chest strap is more than strong
enough to support bodyweight. NEVER rappel from your chest
strap without the proper hardware, instruction, and experience,
and always back-up all weight-bearing systems.
The CRUX harness geometry was carefully chosen to avoid
peeling loads at any angle, in particular at the integrated
riser/MLW junction. Each component of the harness has
been load tested individually, as well as the harness as a
whole. The CRUX’s integrated riser design was load tested to
>22 kN in every conceivable load direction.
CONTAINER SHAPE
PC PLACEMENT
CHEST STRAP
INTEGRATED RISERS

6
The CRUX webbing is a blend of Dyneema and
polyester. The Dyneema provides a high level
of strength while the polyester provides structure.
Dyneema fiber is durable and more resistant to
environmental factors compared to classic nylon.
This webbing has a >31 kN (7000 lbs) breaking
strength when new.
DYNEEMA BLEND WEBBING
LIGHT BUCKLES
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
The CRUX features aluminum plate buckles. Be sure to assemble them correctly, and inspect them before every
jump. Webbing must pass around the middle bar of the small buckle. The entire small buckle then passes
through the hole in the larger buckle. Confirm that the webbing fold back end is under (below) the large
buckle’s outside edge. See photos for GOOD and BAD routing.
The critical junctions of the CRUX are easy to inspect. All major bartacks are made with contrasting
color thread and are easily accessible. Always inspect your CRUX before each use and discontinue
use immediately if you see any evidence of wear or damage. Always check your entire container
system, and all equipment, for signs of wear or degradation before every use. NEVER ASSUME
that your equipment is in perfect working condition and always use extreme caution when trusting
any single component of your equipment with your life.
NOYES

THANK YOU FOR FLYING SQUIRREL!
v.201703
Check the CRUX product page at www.squirrel.ws for the latest PDF version of this manual.
If you have any questions about any product that we make, please do not hesitate to contact us.
CONTACT US
www.squirrel.ws
[email protected]
855-FLY-SQRL