PhillyKev 0 #1 June 26, 2001 Ok, went to XKeys on Sunday with full intention of finishing AFP that day. Beautiful day, very light wind, bright sun and blue sky. Great day for jumping (or so I thought). This jump was just going to be one JM, release after exit, 2 90 degree turns, forward motion, and then hold heading to the hard deck. Unlike my previous jumps where I had perfect exits, I flubbed this one a bit. Not bad, but dipped my knee on exit and took a few extra seconds to get stable. No problem, had plenty of altitude. Did my COA, instructor released, one prcp, turn right, turn left, move forward. Everything's good. Started getting a little chippy down at the bottom again and my jm grabbed me for a sec to stabilize me. He let go, I was fine and pulled. Nice soft opening, everything's great. Chest strap rode up again a little bit, but not too bad (stupid student gear). Anyway, I'm having fun with my canopy up high. Practicing some figure 8's and flares. Going good. Start my pattern to land, wind socks are a little different then when we took off....wait, that one's not, hey, that one's pointing a different direction. There was NO wind at all. So, just landed the same direction as everyone else to keep traffic flowing. I'm coming in straight toward my jm...he's on the radio, telling me I'm doing great. Just as I start to flare, the wind completely dies and my big ass 288 canopy completely collapses. All forward motion stopped, therefore, no way to get any lift from the flare. Pulled the toggles all the way down but didn't help. Swung forward a little and came down hard right on my ass. The chase truck came booking out because I was on my back screaming obscenities. After a few seconds the pain died down and I was able to get up and everything was ok...sort of. I'm fine, no serious injury, but landed on my tail bone and feels like I compressed my spine a bit. It's been 2 days, and it's feeling a bit better. Still can't bend down and pick up anything to heavy though. And here's the worst part, and pretty disgusting. Only sharing this so you all know what injuries are possible in this sport. Apparently coming down that hard on my ass caused a large painful hemerhoid to errupt in my ass. Haven't been able to sit down for a day. Unfortunately have to go to work today and sit on my ass all day. Ugghhh. Anyway, I'm still ready to go up and do level 5. My jm said I did everything right at landing, just ran out of wind and nothing I could do. So remember, even if you do everything right, you can still end up breaking your ass. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Donna 0 #2 June 26, 2001 You might have cracked your tailbone. I did that on my second tandem. Ouch!! Couldn't sit down for 3 weeks. Hope you feel better soon!Skies,D Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
