Constructive criticism from advanced skydivers.

[Brian425 0]

I have 30 jumps.

Saturday, I had a lnading that I was not proud of. I set up a little long on my pattern and I was a little lower than I wanted as I was starting my base leg. I was aware of 2 other canopies that were in the pattern with me and I made sure to know where they were. I turned to my base fairly low, about 200 ft. That is when I saw another skydiver on the ground gathering his canopy. I made a correction; but, it was more than I wanted at that height. I landed safely and did not hit the guy on the ground.

The first thing I did was apologize to the guy on the ground. I am responsible to know that he was there.

A few seconds later, another skydiver came over to me. He's a little brash and a little loud sometimes; but, always fun. I thought I was going to get my ass chewed. He asked was I ok. He asked me what I did wrong. Then he gave me a little advice. He was genuinely concerned about what I did and wanted to be sure I understood. The focus was what happened, why it happened, and how to avoid it.

I know I have a lot to learn. I am not happy with my landing today. In a way though, I am glad it did happen. I was lucky Saturday. I got away with a rookie mistake. I definitely learned something today. I also learned that there are some really great people in this sport.

Thanks guys.

The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

[billvon 3,109]

Sounds like a good outcome. Glad there was someone there willing to help, and glad you were able to listen. There are too few of both types in skydiving lately.

[teason 0]

Brian Burke once told me there are two types of good skydives one where did everything right and ones where you learned. Looks like you had a great skydive.

Everyone makes mistakes, it's part of learning.
If you refuse to take responsability for the error (sun was in my eyes, guy ran infront of me) then it will happen again and you are powerless to prevent it. If you take responsability for it, then you have the power. You are in control and have the power to ensure it never happens again.
There was no need to chew you out, you had done the heavy lifting and taught yourself the lesson.

I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.

[Squeak 17]

Quote

That is when I saw another skydiver on the ground gathering his canopy. I made a correction; but, it was more than I wanted at that height. I landed safely and did not hit the guy on the ground.

I have done this when i only had a bout 30 jumps, although my outcome wasn't so nice. I ended up too low to flare properly after turning to avoid the canopy collecting jumper, I landed with a foot slap, well 2 feet actually and I was sore for weeks.

It was approached by the DZSO and admonished for doing a late turn (not severely just constructively) the jumper on the ground however was also adonished for not being "Heads UP" and getting out of the way.
It much easier for a person standing to step 3 paces to the left/right than a low time jumper to make a low corrective turn.
I'm glad you landed safe and unharme but I don't see that you have anything to appologise for to the standing jumper.

You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky)
My Life ROCKS!
How's yours doing?

[karlm 0]

Having been part of our DZ's duty staff for the past year, I best way to approach a jumper who has crossed the safety or club rules line, is with a good manor and a friendly attitude. You get the best response from the jumper, and they are more willing to listern and learn from the mistakes.

Shouting and pulling rank never solved anything, it just gets the parties to become defensive and never resolves the issues.

On the subject of landing etiquette - Once you have landed it is still your responsibility to look out for fellow jumpers, both on the ground and in the landing pattern, as said before, it is far easier for you to move a foot or two, than to expect a jumper on finals to turn to avoid you.

I have seen a load of jumper (5-Way) walk off the landing area with no idea that the tandem that left after them is now trying to land, the TM had to turn low to avoid the group, landing only a few feet to the right of the group walking off the landing area. They had no idea.

Count the dots on opening and see where everybody is, and once on the ground do the same.

COUNT THE DOTS.

Better never to have met you in my dream than to wake and reach for hands that are not there.

[obelixtim 150]

When you are under canopy, yell out to the guys on the ground to let them know you are there...simple...

My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

[teason 0]

Quote

It much easier for a person standing to step 3 paces to the left/right

Doesn't turn you from being an obstacle to being a moving obstacle?
If you zig and he zigs, your Zag becomes scarier

I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.

[karlm 0]

Good points ... but if you jump with a full face helmet, then you can shout as much as yu like, the guy on the ground will not hear you.

It would be a advantage to move in a slow and direct mannorr, when moving away from a canopy landing, this way you give the pilot a better indication of your intentions.

The other option is to kneel down to indicate you see the person.

Better never to have met you in my dream than to wake and reach for hands that are not there.

[Brian425 0]

the jumper on the ground however was also adonished for not being "Heads UP" and getting out of the way.


The jumper on the ground was heads up. He ducked down and moved to get out of the way. I was the guy was was not heads up enough. Anything bad that happened was 100% me.

I just wanted to clear that up. I had no excuses. I was wrong.

On the plus side, all the things that was drilled into me paid off. Once I had the toggle down, I just evened out the canopy and flared with what I had left. Thanks Linda for drilling that into my head.

The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

[Fast 0]

I have had to plane out over the top of someone before because they got in my way much too low for any types of turns. I choose a plane out at 6-8 feet over slaming into them head on. It was a slightly rough landing but everyone walked away from it. I was much too low to turn and there is only so much planning ahead you can do for people who are in the landing area.

I only had to give it enough flare to clear thier head and still had enough speed left to have a decent landing. (Yelling proved to be useless even though I wear an open face helmet)

~D
Where troubles melt like lemon drops Away above the chimney tops That's where you'll find me.
Swooping is taking one last poke at the bear before escaping it's cave - davelepka

[Chrisky 2]

On my home DZ Instructors used to yell "Lift your legs!" at the passenger so loud that the ground crew could hear them. Good to have a few witnesses if the passenger doesn't lift the legs and breaks one or two... And helps clearing the runway.

The mind is like a parachute - it only works once it's open.
From the edge you just see more.
... Not every Swooper hooks & not every Hooker swoops ...

[mgerra28 0]

Just remember the skydive isnt over until your back in the hangar/packing area. I had an incident where i was coming in the swoop lane and had to shout at 4 people all walking back to the hangar. now when i land i constantly check around for other jumpers landing.

http://www.skydivethefarm.com
don't sweat the small stuff, in fact don't sweat at all,, you get smelly!!

ORFUN #2