mattb 0 #1 May 14, 2001 Saturday afternoon on my 4th jump of the day I had an uneventful 4-way sit-fly jump. I ended up high (which is rare because I'm a big guy) and decided to dump high because one of the jumpers below me was waving off and I was little too close for comfort. (There was already one collision that morning between a deploying jumper and one in freefall.)Next thing I know I am laying on my back spinning violently. 2 pulls later I foudn out that the system works. Having never got the chance to pull either handle before it feels good to know I can do it when I have to.Beer was bought and all was well in the end but I don't think I'll ever forget that moment.2 lessons learned - 1) When you need them the handles are much closer to your neck then belly.2) Hold on to the handles - they aren't cheap.Luckily the main and freebag landed at the end of the runway and were at the hangar before I was.-mob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Emma 0 #2 May 14, 2001 Ugh. Nightmare. Not looking forward to my next mal.One good thing about the handles.....last time I cutaway I didn't lose the pad cos it got stuck in my hair. God knows how, but the Lord works in mysterious ways Thank heavens for velcro.Another little tip on the subject of reserve rides....Your reserve is probably smaller and faster than your main, and you might come in quite quick...If in doubt, PLF Anyways, glad you were alright...shits u up a bit doesn't it!?emma Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mattb 0 #3 May 14, 2001 Even though my reserve is smaller or so I think (PD-176 vs. Icarus-189) it felt much more docile than my main. I flared a little high but I think I was just anxious to get down. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pyke 0 #4 May 14, 2001 Just a question....How the hell did you dump and end up on your back????I am just having trouble getting a visual.Glad you are okay, and I can relate to the handles experience. We had a guy in our DZ in NZ who went for his reserve and his hand slipped off his reserve as he went for it (after his cut away) so he dropped his cutaway and pulled his reserve with both hands and as he did he threw it out of his container and hands into the air. WE had to spend 3 hours in paddock searching for his bloody handles!!Kia Kaha,PykeNZPF A-2584 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkySlut 0 #5 May 14, 2001 massive linetwists that put him into a violently spinning mal. I would assume.-Slut"I'll jump anything!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mattb 0 #6 May 14, 2001 that's what happened. I was spinning fast enough that I was not hanging vertical in my harness. Kind of made me glad I don't have an RSL - I cutaway from the mess and wouldn't stay I got stable but I got less unstable before pulling the reserve. phew. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Keys 0 #7 May 14, 2001 Man, that sounds like a real trip. 140 in and no cutaway yet. We had water training when I was a student, and I'm never anywhere near any water. I think they should have you do a cutaway before you get off student status. I like to think I can do it but you never REALLY know until you have to. What alt did you pull your main? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zennie 0 #8 May 14, 2001 Did you have any trouble getting your arms up to the handles?------------Blue Skies!Zennie Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mattb 0 #9 May 15, 2001 Zennie -No problems. Not sure how hard it really was - adrenaline makes anything seem easy.-mob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingnut 0 #10 May 15, 2001 matt, ya know what caused the line twist??? .....glad ya took care of ewverything well...i'm glad i havn't had that kina high speed mall yet!!! the nice slow,slow ones are much better!!"if dreams are like movies, then memories are like films about ghosts"-counting crows Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PLFXpert 0 #11 May 15, 2001 Quote1) When you need them the handles are much closer to your neck then belly.That is so weird....Whenever I feel for my handles before I leave the plane, I always reach above where they actually are and have to learn that they're lower than I expect them to be. Does something change in freefall and they're higher up? Weird. I guess I'll see for myself one of these daysMuch love and blue skies,Carrie http://www.geocities.com/skydivegrl20/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkySlut 0 #12 May 15, 2001 A good time to check on your handles would when you are under your canopy...see where they sit when the harness is being lifted. If you are in a violent spin...your handles are going to be up on your chest because of the G-forces created by the spin. Its a good thing to be aware of...-Slut"I'll jump anything!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PLFXpert 0 #13 May 16, 2001 Thanks slut, I didn't think about that. It seems obvious now though. Good call.Much love and blue skies,Carrie http://www.geocities.com/skydivegrl20/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkySlut 0 #14 May 16, 2001 No Problemo. Yeah, its pretty good FYI stuff. You may need it someday.-Slut"I'll jump anything!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
