Second jump, first mal

[billvon 3,119]

Amy had her first mal on a wingsuit during her second jump on her Classic. She did a solo to get used to the pattern at Perris, and had a normal flight and deployment.

After opening she felt the canopy start to spin, and looked up to see the canopy bowtied. (It was a Pilot 140.) We suspect it was a PC over the nose and caught in the lines. She fought the spin for a moment then decided to cut away. She didn't unzip or release her wings. Reserve opened normally and she landed with no problems.

Not only was this her first birdman reserve ride, but it was also her first save as a rigger (herself!) We are currently discussing the protocol involved here. Personally think she should buy herself a bottle of something strong. I'm also glad in a way that she didn't chop the wings; I now have a 'real life' story to tell prospective wingsuit jumpers when they fret that they won't be able to reach their handles in an emergency.

[katiebear21 0]

If she needs help with that bottle...

Talk about getting first's out of the way! Glad to hear she's Ok.

Katie
Get your PMS glass necklace here

[Deuce 1]

How very cool a problem to have. I suggest Bushmills.

As to cutting away without unzipping, I think that's very doable. Haven't had to, but I'm glad Amy did the beta-test.

Hey, Katie! Cool avatar.

JP

[jari 0]

Cheers to Amy, well done.

I am very glad she got that procedure right, she must have had a great BMI

Jari

"Hey, don't be afraid, ever. Because, it's just a ride."

[cpoxon 0]

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She fought the spin for a moment

How? Can Amy just about reach her risers with her arms still in the wing? Harness input?

Sounds a pretty serious and obvious non-correctable mal, and I'm not trying to double guess her response but I'd still be interested in knowing what altitude she deployed at and was under the reserve for.

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I'm also glad in a way that she didn't chop the wings;

Why would she?

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I now have a 'real life' story to tell prospective wingsuit jumpers when they fret that they won't be able to reach their handles in an emergency.

One of the very first things I demonstrate and emphasise to a student is that the suit has no effect on reaching your handles and carrying out your emergency procedures, by getting them to prove it to themselve in the equipment on the ground. Although they are mostly surprised, it's normally enough! Still, you can't beat a bit of real life experience.

I realise it was only her second wingsuit jump but I understand that Amy is quite an experienced skydiver and that she's proven she doesn't need to but is she considering attempting to undo her zippers during deployment so that she can deal with correctable issues more quickly?

Anyway, glad she's okay and congratulations on the save.

For the record, I had a total which I cutaway (canopy not wings - if something's out, my decision is to cutaway) from and deployed the reserve whilst my arms were still in the wings.

Skydiving Fatalities - Cease not to learn 'til thou cease to live

[Amazon 7]

Way to go Amy girl.

I guess it was a good weekend for cutaways

• Quote

[billvon 3,119]

>How? Can Amy just about reach her risers with her arms still in the wing?

No, just kicking and twisting I think.

>>I'm also glad in a way that she didn't chop the wings;

>Why would she?

Because several people I talked to (non-BM's) assume you have to to cut away at all, and some problems lend themselves to being fixed if you can reach the risers (like an unstowed toggle.) I suspect I would try that in the case of a spinner; chop the wings, make one attempt to fix the spin, then cut away.

>I realise it was only her second wingsuit jump but I understand that
> Amy is quite an experienced skydiver and that she's proven she
> doesn't need to but is she considering attempting to undo her
> zippers during deployment so that she can deal with correctable
> issues more quickly?

Hmm. When I teach BM (and I've taught a grand total of four people so far, so I'm no expert) I recommend that they do not try to unzip until their parachute is well on its way to being open. I think that trying to unzip shortly after throwing the PC, or even as one is getting stood up, can lead to problems with stability/turns during opening. Personally I grab my upper lift webs when I get stood up so I remain symmetric until the canopy is mostly open.