Sorry folks,
Had to close and hid the topic for liability reasons. Basically, the topic broached the subject of how to fly people in the air "on the cheap" (i.e. without proper equipment) The techniques discussed were interesting and innovative, but ultimately unsafe. I've copied below wolf's response to the topic. It's informative and the only safe advice that will be presented on this site when it comes to flying people.
Had to close and hid the topic for liability reasons. Basically, the topic broached the subject of how to fly people in the air "on the cheap" (i.e. without proper equipment) The techniques discussed were interesting and innovative, but ultimately unsafe. I've copied below wolf's response to the topic. It's informative and the only safe advice that will be presented on this site when it comes to flying people.
wolf825 said:Oh my...what a topic... The discussion should be about the understandings of flying folks--not "how can I get around this". I have to explain this to professors who teach theater who also just don't "get it" why they cannot throw a student around a stage on a wire and why they have to pay for the extra $$ to hire Foy or someone outside... I love the excuse they always toss back--"well the student doesn't wiegh much"... What a person weighs has little to do with the proper balancing and safe and secure elevation of a person so they, and the persons lifting them, can maintain CONSTANT control..
So let me be blunt about a few things raised..
-Fly Systems---such as single or double purchase.... NOT rated for flying of humans. Fly systems have a safety ratio range of 3:1 which is fine for Equipment/sets and so forth... To fly a PERSON you must use equipment that has a 10:1 safety margin. and by the way--climbing harnesses are NOT the same as lift harnesses..more on that later...
2) Genie lift--three words. Center of Gravity. Does not matter the outriggers are extended...the moment you change the lifts center of gravity you toss all that out the window. ALL the weight in A genie tends to be behind the bucket and is balanced for the weight inside the bucket. When you extend beyond the bucket you toss off the balance--which already is balanced for one person IN the bucket as its extends--as it extends that center changes and is built Into the genie lift specifications.. Go outside the bucket--which puts more force on the front outriggers then designed...which CAN lead to failure. Lifts are designed to lift (push up) what is IN the bucket...and you could just as easily put the actor IN the bucket and do the same lift masking it with drapes, fog and lighting. Additionally--the Genie is designed to lift what is in the bucket only..not PULL from under it or outside it... You extend the RISK and safety concerns grow when you use gear that is not designed for what is being used for.
3) Harnesses... SOME climbing gear can transpose to Lifting.. But--Harnesses tend to NOT be one of those. Harnesses are meant to HOLD a person....not lift them or endure the shifts (and some like bosens chairs are designed to be sit harnesses and not shock rated for any sudden shift in the lift). A human beings Center of gravity is located at the rear Hip. If you ever see Dancers LIFT a person--they don't lift them from their chests--they for the best lifts lift at the waist. Lifting from the chest, underarms, or from only one point in the front at the waist throw the actor into unbalance..and can cause extreme body damage or pain if its done improperly. Lift harnesses are not designed to be slipped out of if a person twists in the wrong direction--they are very tight and hold at key places on a body, and use webbing and material properly rated for the job to maintain the balance of the person being lifted. They are not always comfortable..but they work and work safely. Climbing Harnesses or Fall protection harnesses are usually designed for folks who may FALL....to hold them in place and take the shock weight--not for movement of major degree or allow for some free movement that an actor may need to do.
Turss/chainmotors/aircraft cable... ALL those items must be made and checked for PROPER use and installation and by persons who are responsible and know how to make them for the purpose intended. I saw a Trapeeze once a technician tossed together and used Crosby's on FAIL and drop the actor in mid show..the actor broke their arm and cheekbone. Crosbys are not rated hardware..and they will fail...use ONLY rated and SAFE hardware designed for the intended use. Don't try to jury-rig pieces and parts... you do NOT want to live with the guilt of being ignorant if someone gets hurt. Don't csare how many times you may have slipped by--it will catch up to you.
Lastly, INSURANCE...try to tell your insurance company you are flying a person and they will laugh at you and tell you NO. NO facility, school or theater will assume the liability risks for putting a student or person into a home-made rig. The legal and financial liabilities and DANGER for such reckless acts are no different then the idiot who used 12' Gerbs effects at the Station in a 9' ceiling for Great White and burned the place down.
The RIGGING used by companies like Foy in Flying humans is there for a REASON. Its not to raise your costs or be a pain or to challenge you to "try it"--its there to ensure constant control and proper safe margins for the actor and those around them. Those guys who fly people have done it countless times, and know the physics involved and the risk factors to consider. Let them do their jobs...if it was easy and anyone could do it, then they would not be in business.
PLEASE...do not risk another persons life or injuries for an effect if you canot do it safely. I CANNOT streess this any more. You are NOT invincible--you are not the "MacGyvers" of the Theater world--as technicians you are there to ensure a job is done and done right and done SAFELY for all in attendance and on stage--or its not done at all.
-w