Yes, the forces increase in a lockout situation. Sufficiently to break a proper weak link.
How do we know where to set the weak link's breaking limit? From my perspective, it always seems to be a magic formula known only to towmasters, which is why I will only tow with people who have done a thousand of them.
This isn't some old lady sewing circle where we always have to maintain good manners as we serve one another tea, and where the worst thing that can happen is a pricked finger or a missed stitch. Someone screws up with hang gliding, and it can get really ugly for everyone involved, and it doesn't stop with just the person directly affected. Everyone feels the effects.
You also need to move the spreader bar on your hang strap to up under the keel. You aren't supposed to let it sit low on the strap, as shown in the screen grab. Moving it up will give you more control.
http://www.ushpa.aero/safety.asp
USHPA - Safety Articles
Fatality Reports
Fatality Report 2013 (PDF)
Hang Gliding and Paragliding Fatalities Jan 2013 Through July 2013
Hang Gliding Fatalities
2013/02/02 - Zack Marzec
Upon the breakage of the weak link, the glider whip stalled and then tumbled twice.
The difference today is that we now understand the requirements for safe flight in hang gliders and paragliders as well and in as much detail as those requirements are understood in other forms of aviation. Thanks to the hard work and sacrifices of the founding members of our sport, we now know what it takes to be safe.
These tow point positions assume the use of two spliced Spectra ropes to attach to the tow line. One is attached to a shoulder tow point on the harness with a weak link, and then is routed through a spliced loop in a second longer Spectra rope, and attached to the other shoulder via a back-up release.
