HeatherB 0 #1 March 25, 2003 Hola, I had my first cutaway on Saturday! Deployed my main at 2.5. The initial tug seemed softer than usual, then I felt the canopy "pop" open. Not hard but it just felt strange...It opened on heading, I wasn't diving or turning. I look up and see line twists from the risers all the way up to the canopy. I thought "that's a cutaway!" Canopy started diving towards the left as I went for the cutaway handle, pulled the cutaway, fell away for a second or two, pulled silver. Beautiful blue PD126 reserve over my head! My first thought once I was under the reserve was: "whohoo!" then promptly "where's my main??" Looked left, and saw my main drifting down by Sun Path, and the freebag and reserve pc close by :) I did a practice flare on the reserve shortly after it opened. I had never flown a 7 cell or an F-111 canopy before so I figured it'd be an especially good idea. Reserve flew very nicely. Felt like a dog compared to my Lotus 136. Which was just fine by me! I think I jinxed myself! As I was getting geared up I said to some people "I bet I have a cutaway." On the ride to altitude I said to Oren, who was organizing our four way, "This opening is either going to be perfect or really nasty." lol. Part if why I said those things was I had not jumped in a month and I figured it'd be my luck. (yes, I know I should have deployed higher since I was uncurrent). Also, I had psycho-packed the canopy and I hadn't jumped my own pack job in a looong time. Bad again. I should pack for myself on a regular basis. I thought I'd paid very close attention to everything, but apparently not! Who the heck knows. I was careful with the line stow lengths, rubberbands, and leaving enough "excess" line. But from how the canopy opened, all I can think is that the bag spun off my back. I've had a couple of instances with a few line twists before from bad body position, this was different. Anytime I'd had line twists before, the canopy started turning as the canopy was deploying and I'd get a couple of twists. This thing opened on heading and the line twists were all the way up from the risers. Slider caught up there. Two hands on each handle worked well for me. It's the method I was taught as a student and I've always practiced this way. Stick with what you're used to. I didn't even look for my handles, my hands went right to them with no problems. I always practice "peeling" the cutaway too, which seemed to help. Easy cutaway, easy reserve pull. I'm still amazed at how fast the brain reacts but still everything seems to happen in slow motion. I could have sworn that the reserve opened slowly and softly, but my back and neck told me otherwise the next day! The time in between handles also felt like a while, but it apparently wasn't. One of the best parts: it's all on video! Jamie, a freeflyer who had gotten out before us just happened to catch it all on video.... Thanks to Sandy, Mariah, etc who retrieved my main and parts so quickly! Great spot...right next to the DZ... I kept both my handles, not sure exactly how, given that I used two hands on each handle...I was pleasantly surprised :) It would have taken me a very long time to kick out of all those twists...it was nasty looking. I'm happy with my decision to chop quickly. I looked at my altimeter after I'd been under the reserve for a bit (not sure how long exactly), but I was at 1300. I really don't think pulling a little higher would have caused me to think "I can get out of this." Although, pulling a little higher would be a good thing either way of course! That little bit of "extra" freefall before going for the reserve is very weird. Oh, that was jump number 425 by the way. I love my riggers. (that reserve packjob was by Marko at Sunrise Rigging) I'm a happy camper. I couldn't jump the rest of the day and then Sunday was completely crappy, but at least I went to the tunnel tonight! It was pretty uneventful as far as cutaways and reserve rides go. Yes, I'm still awfully wordy about it, oh well! blue skies! Heather Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
happythoughts 0 #2 March 25, 2003 Quote I could have sworn that the reserve opened slowly and softly, but my back and neck told me otherwise the next day! I hope this isn't going to impact your hula-hooping skills. Glad to hear everything worked for you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skygod7777 0 #3 March 25, 2003 good to hear your ok. now, don't you think cut-aways are FUN!!! i really like em. you just have to trust you rigger (well, it's myself for me). but i'm waiting. i'm over due for one (maybe that's a good thing ) later Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymedic 0 #4 March 25, 2003 Glad to hear everything went well for you......I still havn't had a cutaway yet....tick tick tick..... Marc otherwise known as Mr.Fallinwoman.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #5 March 25, 2003 Good job! (Better then I did this weekend). Glad it went well. --"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HeatherB 0 #6 March 25, 2003 Quotenow, don't you think cut-aways are FUN!!! Heck yeah! It was pretty damn cool...especially feeling the main leave and that little bit of freefall. (I had an rsl until jump number 150 or so, decided against it after that). But still, hopefully I will not have another for a very long time! I feel lucky that this one was pretty straightforward and easy. (ie not spinning on my back or anything. it was just starting to spin me) blue skies, Heather Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HeatherB 0 #7 March 25, 2003 Quote Good job! (Better then I did this weekend). Glad it went well. Those nifty little extra handles?? Next time use 'em AggieDave!I'm glad you are in one piece. Stubbornness isn't a good quality when you're dealing with mals! You're a very lucky guy.... blue skies, Heather Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stacy 0 #8 March 25, 2003 glad everything worked out!! see you soon! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skylark 0 #9 March 25, 2003 Hmmm, just thought I'd add my own first cut-away experience. Had just completed AFF and leapt out of the twin otter on my second solo jump. Pulled at 5k and saw a canopy that really didn't look 'right'. I suddenly realised I had a 'line-over'. The next thing I remember was shrieking and ya-hooing and watching my main drift away a few hundred feet below me. I vaguely remember peeling and pulling and punching, but I certainly don't remember watching my reserve open and I didn't really think about what I was doing. It was totally automatic. Ok, a line-over isn't exactly a serious mal, but I was thrilled that I hadn't thought about my emergency procedure, I had simply carried it out and it's given me a huge confidence boost to know that my brain will switch to automatic again next time. Cool, huh? "Into the dangerous world I leapt..." William Blake, Songs of Experience Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
