What to do...

[ERICCONNELLY 0]

OK Here goes… Last night I dreamed of skydiving (not unusual since the weather here is crappy this time of year and my brain tries to get it’s fix while I’m asleep since I can’t jump while I’m awake) Anyway, after a great jump I turn, track and reach back to pull. Except I can’t move my arm, like it’s totally useless. I try again, but no luck, I think oh well I was almost due for a repack anyway and pop the reserve.
No big deal.
Now the dirt is getting close and I start thinking, “How in the Hell do I land this thing with one arm?” In my dream I grab both toggles in my left hand and try to flare using my one good arm. In my dream it worked great but I don’t think I want to try it for real. So the question is - you lose the use of one arm but are otherwise OK. What’s the best way to try to land? No flare at all and PLF or try for a two-toggle, one hand flare and try to PLF? Just curious.
BTW, I woke up to discover I had rolled over on my right arm and it had gone to sleep.

[markbaur 0]

A couple seasons ago, I had a student unstable on opening, resulting in a dislocated shoulder. The Manta opened fine -- a testament to the safety of our sport. The student unstowed the brake on one side, steered his canopy with that one control line, and landed going straight ahead, essentially in 1/2 brakes. He was in the hospital overnight, mostly for the shoulder, some for shock/observation.
So it is possible to land some canopies one-handed. However, I don't think I'd try it with my Fireball sub-100.
Mark

[tigra 0]

A friend had a premature deployment last summer. The PC came out of the pouch, wrapped around his arm and dislocated his elbow. **OUCH**
He didn't unstow brakes. Basicly just steered the canopy (a jedei) with his body, pointed himself into the wind and plf'd. aside from the arm, he was OK.

[lazerq3 0]

we had a jumper dislocate his arm and he ended up flaring both toggles in one hand!!! still made for a hard landing but he was OK!! (other than his arm)!!

[wildblue 7]

Hehe.. I've had a dream like that before - arm wouldn't move, I think I was sleeping on it.
Depends on the canopy, but I'd say your best bet is to leave the brakes stowed, and do a nice plf.
Another reason for not heavily loading your reserve.
I ain't happy, I'm feeling glad
I got sunshine, in a bag

[billvon 3,107]

>So the question is - you lose the use of one arm but are otherwise OK. What’s the best way to try to land?
>No flare at all and PLF or try for a two-toggle, one hand flare and try to PLF?
I would recommend leaving your brakes stowed to begin with, so you land at half brakes. You can still steer by pulling on alternate risers. On any canopy over about 1:1, the chance of flaring unevenly and making matters even worse is pretty high, and on any canopy over 1.5:1 I'm not sure you'd want to release the brakes one at a time.
-bill von

[RozeAY 0]

I know somebody that this happened to at Mike Mullin's Halloween Boogie last Fall. She dislocated her right shoulder while tracking away to pull. So she immediately popped the reserve, removed both toggles with her left hand, and landed it one-handed. From what I hear, she almost stood it up to!