How did you react to an accident ?

[ColdDuck 0]

Unfortunately every week or two there seems to be a new story about jumper who was injured or killed. Every time I read one of these I am reminded of the risks associated with skydiving. Fortunately in my short skydiving career I have never seen someone die or get hurt from jumping. But there have been times where I wondered how would I react if I did. Would it make me give up skydiving?
So if its not to painful to talk about , how did those of you who have witnessed an accident react to this?

[Dirtsucks 0]

I hate to be the first one reply to this, since I've never seen a real accident and it's not really by place. But since I'm here I'd like to share something that happened while leaving the DZ after my first jump. Me and a friend of mine were just pulling out onto the street after doing level 1 AFF and I happened to look in the rear view mirror and I saw, for just a split second, a crumpled up parachute disappear out of sight. I said, out loud "ohh shit!" and slammed on the brakes and whipped the car around on the road. My friend didn't know what was going on and was like, what the hell are you doing!?! I floored it towards where I saw the parachute and told her what I saw. There was already a truck from the DZ driving around with a guy in the back looking around towards the field where I saw the chute go down. I asked him, "did somebody just go down?" And he said, no, he landed under reserve and what I saw was his main floating down. I didn't know anybetter, being new and all, but I remember feeling horrified at the thought that I had just seen someone die. It really shook me up for I while. But to answer your question, how did I react (condidering that fact that I thought it was real), my answer is really friggin fast! After finding out that it was really nothing I felt kind of dumb, but I don't regret throwing my car around to find the guy (who was actually just a cutaway main)at all.
Josh

[Doasfu 0]

The worst injury I ever witnessed was about one year ago. I was sitting around passing time in the hangar, intending to make a jump. All of a sudden, I heard one of the loudest noises I've ever heard in my life. A huge, horrendous crashing noise. I run outside, all the time thinking, "That was the sound of someone going in. I'm about to see a dead body when I get outside."
It turns out it was not a burn in, but rather a studen who had steered herself square into the side of the hangar, and was lying on the ground screaming in pain. As soon as my brain caught up with my eyes, and realized what had happened, I ran back in and joined a chorus of voices telling manifest to dial 911.
By the time the paramedics were there, it was pretty clear that the girl was in serious pain but was going to be more or less alright. She broke a whole handful of bones, but did come out later and sign the dent she made in the hangar wall.
I didn't jump that day, and having seen the accident was the primary cause of it. I did, however, make a jump the next weekend.
The worst bit was that as we were waiting for the paramedics, some whuffo lady showed up and started snapping pictures of the poor girl. We herded her ass back to the spectator area and blocked her view, but she still got off a few shots before we noticed. I don't know what morbid interest compelled that lady (she only showed up after the accident, I assume she had a scanner) but I'm still pretty pissed about that to this day.
So, how did I react to the accident? A mixture of calm and terror. I was sure, sure that the sound I'd heard was someone going in at high speed and that I was about to see the aftermath, and I moved as if underwater, going outside automatically with the world passing in slow motion. It was like my first jump, every sense heightened and my senses seeming somehow magnified. It wasn't untill I perceived that the girl was screaming that everything snapped back to normal and I could think clearly.
I've heard that she's been back and made another jump, although I'm postive its true. I hope it is. We crack jokes around the dz about the girl who flew into the hangar, and before the hangar expansion covered it up I would show off the dent to people and tell them the story, but underneath the levity the situation was really damn scary to me. The fact that the jumper in this situation was so obviously at fault helps a lot, I think. If I saw similar injuries on someone did not make such an easily avoidable mistake, I think it would have been very hard for me to make that jump the next weekend.
Wow, I've never written any where near this much about the incident... I think I'm rambling at this point, so I'll leave off. :)
Dan

[Doasfu 0]

Quote

I didn't know anybetter, being new and all, but I remember feeling horrified at the thought that I had just seen someone die.

Yep, that's it exactly. Whether or not it really happened, you and I both felt the terror of someone going in...

[Yooper 0]

I've seen my share of broken bone's and sprains, but the only time that something really affected me was when I was on a jump with my dad and he had to pull his reserve. I think I was more scared than he was. Anyway, after witnessing an event like that, you have to ask yourself if you can live the rest of your life on the ground. You may live to be 100 years old or you might get hit by a car the next day. Personally, I would rather die flying, than live the rest of my life as a flatlander.
Blue Skies

[Albatross 0]

I really hate to be the one to talk about this again so I will start by saying that guy is now out of the hospital and recovering at home. I was waiting in the loading area getting ready to make my second jump of the day after a long lay off. I was shooting the shit with a friend and casually watching the canopies landing. Suddenly the one I was watching made a hard left toggle turn at about 30-40'. The guy hit at about 30 deg short of vertical. He impacted on his leg, hip, chest and head. The impact broke his full face helmet and screwed up his face. The DZ asked for medical people and I responded. The guy was breathing but needed help. I held him in C-spine for about 30 minutes until the paramedics arrived. The DZ slowly got geared back up but I opted off the load to clear my head. Then the clouds came in and there were no loads until just before sunset. I knew that I needed to jump so I took a chance. The clouds closed in and I ended up doing a hop n pop from 3500'. I needed that jump to clear my head and convince myself that it would be OK.
We all delt with the crash differently but we all delt with it. dropzone.com was a big part of me dealing with it. Thanks to all my friends.
Blue Skys and Safe Landings
Albatross

[Deleted 0]

In my short time in this sport, I have had the opportunity to travel to alot of different DZ's. And unfortunately in that short time I have also had the misfortune to witness the death of a friend in this sport. Its still unsure what exactly happened, but I will say that he fought all the way down to save his life.
As far as dealing with it, well after spending 13 years in the military, I have seen alot of things and been in situations that most people should be thankful they will never have to see. So when this happened, I was one of the first ones on scene. I knew instantly that my friend did not make it.
I made my peace with this by knowing how much he loved to jump. And that he would not want anyone to stop this sport because of this. All I know is that he is eternally in the sky where he loved to be.
Besides, when its my time to go, I cant think of a better way, sure beats a senseless car accident or something.

[SkySlut 0]

ColdDuck-A good friend once told me that "if you stay in this sport long enough...you will see someone go in or you will know someone who goes in". It is good that you are asking this question, because that statement seems to be true. I have been jumping for 9 months and I had a buddy go in recently. I didnt know how I would handle it, but at his memorial...it was comforting actually. There were over 100 family and friends at the DZ. Nobody blamed skydiving or the dangers that are enherent in the sport. The whole memorial was life affirming...it really made me think about skydiving, life in general, and the phenominal people that I have the honor to meet in this sport. I had to ask the question: "Is skydiving worth it and would I want to put my family and friends through this situation if something should happen?". Everybody is going to come up with their own answer, but mine was "yes, it is worth it". I wouldnt trade anything for a single minute that I have spent at the DZ. Skydivers are the best people in the world. The whole thing just made me appreciate these people so much more and express it to them, because you never know what may happen today, tomorrow, or a year from now. I will have more comfort to see him on his last skydive when we spread his ashes in a missing man formation when the weather cooperates.
As far as seeing someone go in...I havent seen it, but I have seen some scary moments. I have just been really quick to react to call 911 and listen to the medical staff on site to see if they need anything. I know people who have seen several and I hope that I never have to see it.
"I'll jump anything!"

[gus 1]

Mine is similar to Albatross's but fortunately has a happier ending.
I was taking a break in between jumps, getting some food, sitting out in the sun watching everyone else coming in to land and generally chilling out for a bit.
I wasn't really watching the landing area but out of the corner of my eye I saw something moving really quickly, I looked over and saw the last split second of someone's hook turn gone wrong. They can't have been more than 20ft above the ground and they were basically horizontal. I have no idea how but after visibly bouncing they got up and seemed to be ok.
There was a huge gasp from the crowd of people sat around and a big silence for a couple of seconds before he got up. It was pretty scary, I would have put money them doing some serious damage - I guess he was just lucky.
Be safe,
Gus

[Deleted 0]

I was waiting for three fjs to come in so I could go up for my last paper pull then a clear and pull. One lady was around 150-170lbs the JM was yelling flare flare flare flare then she hit w/o flaring at all. We waited a few seconds and she never moved so I taped the other two students and then helped the paramedics put her in the ambulance then went and did my tewo jumps. My first jump I had a really bad landing, but was ok. Then I had a stand up landing a swore to myslef that I love this sport even though the risks can be high!

[billvon 3,085]

it's happened to me twice so far. i couldn't talk about it for years. both times they were friends of mine. both times i was one of the first people there, and i did everything i could to try to save them. both times, in the end, all i could really do was watch them die.
i wrote something about john o'hara's death, at http://people.qualcomm.com/billvon/essays/joh.html
-bill von

[HopnPop 0]

Thank you Bill.

[Jessica 0]

I haven't seen any horrible accidents yet (knock wood) but I think the most scared I've been at the dz (other than my own malfunctions) was when a guy had two canopies out and landed out.
It was a windy day, so I'd taken my truck and spent my time picking up jumpers who were landing way the hell off the dz. I'd just dropped a couple off at the back of the hangar, when suddenly everyone started shouting and pointing. The jumper disappeared over the horizon before we saw him land. "Get in that truck and get out there!" someone kept yelling at me. I was frozen. Finally, an instructor and another guy hopped in and told me to drive.
"Are you a nurse or anything?" the guy in my passenger seat asked me as we tore over dirt roads.
No.
"Well..." he hesitated. "The thing with stuff like this is you don't know what you're going to find. With two out, you don't have any control. That guy could have landed in power lines, in a barbed-wire fence, on a tractor, anything. He could be in real bad shape." With a really slow rate of descent and a really fast forward speed, he was absolutely right. That guy was zooming over the ground. I sure I was going to see a dead guy.
As it turned out, he was fine. It was a horseshoe mal and he didn't pull the cutaway before the reserve. Landed on his knees, muddied up his jumpsuit and that's it. But I'm actually considering getting some kind of emergency medical training -- even just CPR -- so I'm not wholly useless if I'm around when that kind of thing happens again.

[Pammi 0]

I just read your story Bill, and as I sit here with tears in my eyes I just wish I knew what to say. I beautiful, terrifying, touching story. Thank you for sharing.
Pammi

[skreamer 1]

Bill
I just read your Bridge Day article as well - what an excellent insight into not just the day, but also the whole base legacy and community. Even if I only ever attend as a spectator, now I really have to make it to the states for at least one bridge day.
Thanks for sharing those well-written, very personal essays.
Will

[Zennie 0]

bill
Read your article. I think you've had your share. Let's hope those are the last you ever have to see.
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Blue Skies!
Zennie

[Zennie 0]

Reading Bill's story & reflecting on Jan's passing, I actually had a thought go through my mind that I didn't think I'd have: "Why do I do this?"
Fears of our own well-being aside, why do we do this even though death seems to be a constant companion? Why do we do this even though we know there's a fair possibility that if we stay in the sport long enough that we'll see a dear friend lose their life? As much joy as it brings us, tradgedy also seems to cast it's shadow upon us.
I wish I could provide an answer even to myself. Maybe it's these very things which attracts us to it? Not in the morbid sense, but in the sense that this sport teaches us how precious and wonderful life is. That it teaches us to treasure our friends and family, because our time here is short -- even if we don't jump from airplanes.
Most people just kind of amble through life, not really appreciating these things. Maybe that's what skydiving gives us. By seeing the fragility of life first hand, we appreciate it more.
I dunno. Maybe I'm just rambling...
------------
Blue Skies!
Zennie

[MC208B 0]

The last Sunday of last years Lost Prairie boogie on the first load of the day, someone swooped through the gate to the pasture, only it was closed! I was about a 100 yards away when this happened and the barb wire where I was tightened up with a loud twang! The poor guy got up raised his arms over his head then he layed down. I left then, he didn't die is all I know about it. I hope that I never see anyone go in. Mike

[Stacy 0]

I've only been in the sport for about 10 months now, but I've been very active in those months. Went down to Florida for New Years, as a lot of skydivers do. It was a great week, and I ran into a lot of people from up at my home DZ. A few of us did a 16way competition, two jumpers said they were just going to jump 4way all day, etc. Didn't think twice of it. Our team was out in teh field dirt diving, as we were on about a 15 minute call, and all I remember clearly is seeing a canopy, a familiar canopy, fly in and make a low turn. In seemingly slow motion, the canopy seemed to just fall to teh side, collapsing like an accordion. The sound that went along with it was a sound that I can not get out of my mind to this day.
I remember looking in awe at one of my home DZ jumpers, and asking who it was, because the canopy looked frighteningly familiar. We learned quickly that it was our friend from home, and I couldn't speak, I felt like I was in a daze. He was flown to a hospital in Tampa, and I learned he passed on later that evening.
This jumper was someone who was always willing to jump with me as a beginner, offered some incredibly helpful advice to me, and was one of the staple faces on our DZ. This season is going to be very strange without him. I'll never forget the feeling and sound when he hit and when i realized who it was. It was like everything inside of me had hollowed out.
Fly Free, Mitch.
Stacy
http://astro.temple.edu/~sweeks

[Iflyme 0]

Thanks for sharing, Bill. All of you, this has been a very compelling thread. I've never seen anyone get hurt, or even had a mal myself, but I did watch, when I had maybe 10 jumps or less, another student come down with 2 canopies out (round reserve). Being new to the sport, I thought he was going to die. I had my student rig off, and was heading towards where I thought he would land as he was floating down. He stood it up, of course - ankle deep in the mucky potatoe field. He was pretty quiet on the pick-up van during the 10 minute ride back to the airport. Close call... shook me up a little! We've had only one fatality at our DZ, and it was many years ago, before any of the current batch of people were jumping... I really don't know how I would react if I saw a friend - or a stranger go in. Someone said on another thread that they turned their eyes away at the last moment... I think I would, too.
Feeling sombre now... Frank

[slotperfect 7]

I have been jumping since 1984. A good friend and former mentor told me that if you stay in the sport long enough, you will lose someone you know. I have lost four friends in skydiving accidents, and one in a jump plane crash. All five were due to big errors in judgement. We who remain have not given up the sport, yet we are much wiser and safer because of it. The only good that can come from a skydiving fatality is those around it learning from it, and making necessary changes to make themselves safer.
Skydiving is dangerous. Period. But, while the risk factor is higher than sitting on your couch with the remote and a bag of chips, you as an individual can make it safe through your actions. Respect the sport as a dangerous one, practice your EP's, and look out for others as well as yourself.
Keep your gear in top condition.
Check your gear before you put it on - every time!
Get a gear check before you get on the plane
Check your gear yourself before you exit
Keep an eye on other people's gear on the ground AND in the plane.
Be prepared for the worst case scenario . . . it will happen when it is least welcome, along with some other problems to compound the situation.
Don't get complacent . . .
I learned all this from Jon, Patty, Robin, Jose, and John, who are gone but not forgotten. Their skies are now forever blue, and their streets golden.
Respectfully,
SP