tandem safety and videographers

[sartre 0]

Don't know if this is where I should ask this question, but here goes. I took a friend of mine last weekend to do her first tandem. She had a blast, and loved every minute of it.

However, today we were able to watch her video for the first time. When her TI went to deploy, he didn't wave off the videographer; in fact, the videographer's feet where level with my friend's head at the time of deployment.

I have zero experience (except for the 2 tandems I've done) but it looked scary to me. Do I have reason to be concerned that these two were so close to each other? Or are appearances decieving and it's not a big deal?

I am taking another friend up to this same drop zone and I want to feel comfortable that I'm making a good recommendation when I send people there.

[CanuckInUSA 0]

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However, today we were able to watch her video for the first time. When her TI went to deploy, he didn't wave off the videographer; in fact, the videographer's feet where level with my friend's head at the time of deployment.

I have zero experience (except for the 2 tandems I've done) but it looked scary to me. Do I have reason to be concerned that these two were so close to each other? Or are appearances decieving and it's not a big deal?

Without seeing the video it's hard to say if they were close. For sure tandem videographers need to be experienced fliers. Three lives are on the line and it's no time to be complacent.

I think you mentioned something in a post I made the other day that you saw me at Mile-Hi in Longmont CO last weekend? And if you are indeed talking about the videographers at this DZ, then I'd like to put your mind at ease that Mile-Hi actually has a fairly high standard for their videographers. They don't just let anyone jump with the tandems. Your friends will be with good fliers. But shit can happen ... that's why we have to sign the waiver.

Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

[sartre 0]

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But shit can happen ... that's why we have to sign the waiver.

Agreed, shit can and does happen. But I'd like to reduce the odds of someone I care about getting hurt because of stupid behavior on the part of the pros.

I'm not in any way saying that's what went on here; but just trying to learn something and be armed with more knowledge when I go back there. Not to cause trouble, but to have a heads up.

I will probably talk to whoever is going to take my friend up and just express my concerns/fears/probably needless worries. It's not a carnival ride (to us), and I don't want her to be treated like she's on one. There are three of us interested in proceeding with the AFF program, so I'm trying to be as well-informed as I can be. We all are, actually.

Thanks very much for your input!

[tombuch 0]

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I will probably talk to whoever is going to take my friend up and just express my concerns/fears/probably needless worries. It's not a carnival ride (to us), and I don't want her to be treated like she's on one. There are three of us interested in proceeding with the AFF program, so I'm trying to be as well-informed as I can be. We all are, actually.

That's a real good approach. Too many people just assume the professionals are making their best effort at safety, and as we know from past incidents, that isn't always true, even at some of the "name" drop zones with great safety reputations. In many cases the students need to be proactive and drive safety.
.

Tom Buchanan
Instructor Emeritus
Comm Pilot MSEL,G
Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

[Brains 2]

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I have zero experience (except for the 2 tandems I've done) but it looked scary to me. Do I have reason to be concerned that these two were so close to each other? Or are appearances decieving and it's not a big deal?

Since i haven't seen the video, i can't say for sure. However, use of wide angle lenses makes it look like we are much closer than we actually are. I would bet there was more separation than what appeared but i could be wrong. Additionally, the TM and the vidiot might have other signals that are not as obvious to us to signal deployment. I have worked with TM's who gave the peace sign, pointed at me, gave the thumbs up, salute, etc. etc. etc. Your thoughts on conveying your concerns to the tm are probably the best option.

Never look down on someone, unless they are going down on you.

[Scrumpot 1]

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However, use of wide angle lenses makes it look like we are much closer than we actually are.

Huh? Isn't that the other way around? Don't "zoom" lenses make things look (appear) closer than they really are, and "wide angle" instead in fact: objects are actually "closer than they appear"? In other words, to get that really "tight" shot, on a wide-angle, you in fact need instead to get EVEN CLOSER?

That's the way any way, with just basic photography, I've always thought it worked. But I am not a vidiot/regular camera flyer. So maybe the laws of physics regarding ground photography just don't apply, and also change in freefall?

coitus non circum - Moab Stone

[DSE 5]

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However, use of wide angle lenses makes it look like we are much closer than we actually are.

Huh? Isn't that the other way around? Don't "zoom" lenses make things look (appear) closer than they really are, and "wide angle" instead in fact: objects are actually "closer than they appear"? In other words, to get that really "tight" shot, on a wide-angle, you in fact need instead to get EVEN CLOSER?

You understand the concept correctly. Wide angle adaptors require the flyer to be closer, not further away. Kinda like the warning on your convex rear view mirror "Warning, objects are closer than they may appear to be..."

[davelepka 4]

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When her TI went to deploy, he didn't wave off the videographer;

The primary reason for a wave off is to let any jumpers you may not have seen above you know that your PC is on the way out. It becomes more important as the size of your group increases.

The videographer is the only other jumper with the tandem, and if the TI can see him, and is happy with where they are, a wave off is not needed.

Also, if you have a good TI and a skilled videographer who have a lot of jumps working together, they will be communicating with each other through their actions as opposed to hand signals, shouting or text-messaging.

It's possible that the videographer was in his standard deployment time position, and just by going there, let the TI know that he's ready for the pull whenever the TI is.

After all that, just make it a point to seek out the TI and videographer jumping with your next loved one, and let them know that you're excited for your friend, but also concerned for their safety, and maybe they could take extra special care of them.

[mwabd1 0]

As with the rest without seeing the video there can be no comment. The TM's I jump with always wave or salute or something and I in turn wave goodbye to the student, it gets my arms in front of me and gets me to backslide and it also gets the students attention so they are looking at the camera.

[sartre 0]

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After all that, just make it a point to seek out the TI and videographer jumping with your next loved one, and let them know that you're excited for your friend, but also concerned for their safety, and maybe they could take extra special care of them.

Yep, that's what I'll do.
Thanks to everyone for your input~it's very much appreciated.

[Jewels 0]

Good thread! Glad you asked about that. Sounds like there was some good input and I'm keeping that in mind for Saturday!

(BTW, are you secretly on commission with the DZ? You're getting a LOT of recruits!! Conquering the world, one sky diver at a time. . . .)

Nice hair.

TPM Sister #102