ChrisL 2 #1 February 14, 2005 I've been told numerous times that you shouldnt look up to the formation when you go low because it will make you backslide. I've also been told that the most dangerous time in the sky is when the jumpers lose sight of each other. Yesterday I was doing some 2 way jumps with a buddy. On one point I was going to dock on his legs with him facing away from me, I was coming out of a 360 turn and had gotten a bit low and I couldnt see him without looking up, but since I didnt want to backslide I tried not to raise my head too much but just a little at a time till I could see him. Unfortunately before he got back into my field of vision, the top of my helmet impacted him squarely between his legs as I was trying to float back up to his level. The impact wasnt extremely hard, but it was hard enough to make a crunching sound inside my neck that I could hear in freefall and it hurt a lot. He didnt particularly care for having his jewels slammed either. We are both sore today, my neck is sore and you can imagine where he is sore. Bottom line...I think that not looking up is probably the dumbest thing I've done in the air. I couldnt see him, and he couldnt see me. It could have been a lot worse than it was. A little faster and I could have broken my neck or seriously damaged him. If I had looked up sure I might have slid back a little, but there would have been no collision. Next time I'm gonna look up right away. We were lucky. Lesson learned. Safety first, points second.__ My mighty steed Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 4 #2 February 14, 2005 I think you missed the point about "not looking up." That is only half the answer. No, if you are wanting to float straight back up to a formation you should not look straight up while staying faced-off with the formation. If you are low, simply turn 90 degrees in place and turn your head straight to the side to keep your eyes on the formation as you extend your body and pop up. The intent is to not spill air off your chest past your head; nobody said to take your eyes off the formation. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TALONSKY 0 #3 February 14, 2005 Trying to look up does spill air and make you back slide and get lower, however if you turn 90° to the formation and turn your head sideways you can look up with out spilling air. You are right not knowing where the formation is above is dangerous !!!! Doing the right thing so you can work your way back to the formation is your job. Kirk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bob.dino 1 #4 February 14, 2005 To explain a little further: turn your head as if you're doing front crawl/freestyle in a swimming pool and taking a breath. This avoids raising the head vertically and so doesn't cause your body to arch and 'spill' air. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scrumpot 1 #5 February 16, 2005 Remember too, that you first need to know where "the formation" is, and where YOU are relative to it 1st! ...Even if that "formation" is only one other person. "Popping up" blindly is never a good answer. The others have already advised you as to the proper technique (once you have at least spotted "the formation"). Now please see either one of your instructors, or a mentor on your DZ to give you some F/F practical advice on this too. "Not looking up" was not meant (as Sky One indicated) as you had apparently further taken it. -Grant P.S. ...ALthough I am replying to the last post available to me in the thread ...this is "directed" to the initial poster. Sorry Bob, for just choosing your post to add my little piece in for. coitus non circum - Moab Stone Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bodypilot1 0 #6 February 16, 2005 As others have stated, "doing a 90 degree turn to the formation and looking to the side is a great technique for popping back up should you get low". But, don't get there in the first place! As you do your 360, keep eyes focused on the formation and adjust fall rate through the entire turn and don't cork screw as you turn. The eyes shpuld only leave the formation for a split second as you do a hewad switch and thats all. Also, it sounds as though you buddy may have back slid while you popped up, if he moved back far enough for your head to hit him in the ding ding. He should be focusing now not back sliding also by looking over his shoulder at you the entire time, as it's easier for him to close the levels then it is for you to pop up. Also, if you are both beginners to RW, try to focus on points that have atleast person staying in place facing in and the other person doing the 360 to give you a better base so you arent both working against eachother. Be safe Edwww.WestCoastWingsuits.com www.PrecisionSkydiving.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
