The gusset-control cord found on some Dive Rite Wings fulfills a variety of functions. Among them:
When the air cell is not inflated, the cord helps lower the air cell profile. This reduces drag and helps protect the air cell from damage.
By tightening the cord, you can limit lift capacity to only that needed for a particular application. The benefit is that reduced lift capacity also helps reduce the likelihood of uncontrolled ascents.
Tightening the gusset-control cord to its maximum limit helps prevent the air cell from wrapping around the sides of single cylinders. (Some doubles wings do not have GCS and they should not be used with single cylinders.)
Loose or tight, the GCS cord helps the Wing maintain a smaller profile for divers traversing in tight passages and the cord compression helps in dumping air.
You can tighten or loosen the gusset control cord by changing the position of the clips at each side of the base of the air cell.
The cord is also very easy to make shorter if you prefer. Just slide the collar off one of the clips, pull the cord out of the clip, cut the cord to shorten, push the cord back into the clip, and reinstall the collar.
For those who prefer not to use gusset cords, the cords can be removed entirely.
