diver123 0 #1 May 28, 2002 Just wanted to remind everyone out there to always be prepared for anything! Sunday brought with it a new first for me (and hopefully a last!). Last jump of the day. I went out on a 3 way freefly jump to bring the weekend to a close... It was tons of fun until about halfway through the dive. Myself and another guy were orbiting the base. I admit I screwed up by getting around behind the other "orbiter", but shit happens and that's why I'm telling the story. So anyway, I find myself behind this guy and I'm trying to reposition myself back in front of him. As I'm approaching the base from behind him at a 45 degree angle off his right shoulder (behind) he went to go into a stand for whatever reason. I was still driving a little forward and was literally about a foot below him when he began to accelerate. Since I was in a sit and he was going into a stand the collision took place right at my knee driving it very uncomfortably into his right butt cheek! This knocked him a little sideways and caused me to go a little unstable for a second. After the impact he immediately rotated around and I saw that he was okay and he saw that I was okay so we gave a thumbs up and finished the dive. I know what you're thinking, "big deal, you bumped a little". Well, that's what I thought too until today. My entire knee is black and purple and has stiffened up a bit. I think the adrenaline masked the pain a bit more than I anticipated at first. I'm sure it's just bruised and all, but the moral is this: In a distance of approximately one foot, he accelerated fast enough to impact my knee hard enough to create a fair amount of damage. One foot people... In this case it worked out that noone was seriously injured and everyone landed safely, but think about how little it would've taken to turn out much worse. What if he was head down and impacted with his face or head? Or that distance was three feet...maybe four... I guess I was just reminded that even on those harmless sunset jumps to end an event free weekend, no especially on those jumps, always be aware and be careful. It only takes a fraction of a second to go from a fun experience to a life altering one... "pull high! It's lower than you think..." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rgoper 0 #2 May 28, 2002 not to critique the incident, but for my learning information only, did all of you plan the dive, before going up? or was it just sort of adlibbing? the point i'm trying to get to, is this seems like the "first link" in a chain that could have formed sometime/somewhere. just so we can all learn from it. thanks for sharing your story, this is the exact type of feedback we all need to hear about, even if it was our own fault, we can make a difference in someone else's jump, even if it's just one jumper that can be spared, the effort has certainly yielded it's investment.Richard"Gravity Is My Friend" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #3 May 28, 2002 Yep....getting behind, directly above, or directly below someone on ANY Free Fly dive can be very hazardous to your health. If you find yourself in any of those posititions MOVE....immediately. I have gotten a little freaked out before and that is not a good feeling in the air. Glad this one wasn't anymore serious. "Here I come to save the BOOBIES!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diver123 0 #4 May 28, 2002 No problem at all... I don't mind taking responsibility when I'm in the wrong... We did plan the dive on the ground and were all on the same page... We exited in a hd flower and were to keep that unless it became unstable or spun. When we started spinning we all made eye contact and released into our sits... It was at this time that I got out of position. Luckily I saw the collision coming just before impact and managed to begin standing just a split second before we hit so it minimized the contact... I don't feel like it was a lack of prep that caused this, just one of those things ya know... "pull high! It's lower than you think..." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rgoper 0 #5 May 28, 2002 **We did plan the dive on the ground and were all on the same page...**good man! this is good info to share with others, and it goes to show you, even when you do everything right, something can go wrong. but my take is on this, if it wasn't planned on the ground..........then what? so hats off to the "safe sky divers!" plan your dive, dive your plan! Richard"Gravity Is My Friend" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FallingILweenie 0 #6 May 28, 2002 I agree....be careful when freeflying about getting too crazy cuz stuff can happen really fast. I did a ton of dives this weekend where i gradually picked up headdown but i didnt get close to anyone unless i was sure of my ability and their own. Missy Nelson was at our DZ for the weekend and Saturday night went over the importance of being aware in this kind of thing as she discussed what happened at Skydive Chicago last weekend.blue skies, and stay safeTomas"Marge, it takes 2 people to lie. One to lie and one to listen."-Homer Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyhi 24 #7 May 28, 2002 QuoteIn a distance of approximately one foot, he accelerated fast enough to impact my knee hard enough to create a fair amount of damage. Gotta ask: Why are freeflyers so reticent about wearing full helmets? It seems like if anyone could use the protection, it would be those moving the fastest. Not pointing fingers, just curious.flyhi Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rgoper 0 #8 May 29, 2002 they really do obscure perifiraral vision, and for freeflying it is absolutely imperitive that you have a panaranic view. helmet naufacturers are on this, the designers and engineeres are all over it! i just purchased a bonehead "Havok" not the worst thing that ever happned, i like it. Richard"Gravity Is My Friend" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
