obelixtim

Curious about the capewells "wired up". Hard to see one being accidentally cut away, you needed a bit of force to pop them in the first place. (unless, as a few of the boys did, filed the lugs on them so opening the covers practically initiated the cutaway). My early jumps were with a B4 and belly wart, but with a PC as a main, so cutting away was the drill with a pilot shot reserve....Hand deployed reserves had gone out of fashion where I jumped in the mid 70s. But with a non pilot chute reserve then I can see that if jumping a round military surplus main, that doesn't spin up so fast as a PC or Pap. Had a horseshoe on my first FF, and time seemed to really slow down although I had no drag at all. Reserve open at 500 feet, time seemed to speed up then....dumped me right in the telephone lines on the roadside. Its funny how the brain works under stress. Dodged a bullet that day...... My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

its just a matter of training yourself to do so. Practise on the ground is free, so you can practise this thousands of time till it becomes an automatic response. Visualise the actions, and go automatically into count mode till it is ingrained. Repeat it over and over and over and....... I suggest you are not afraid to count, it is just your brain is in overload mode at that moment. That will pass. My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

Bigfoot is real, and has been skydiving for a long time. My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

Been there, done that at quite a few places, throwing out students. If you get the tower guys on side, half your battle is won. We had them sit through a training session then threw them out the door, all for free. Once they saw how we did things, they realised we were not a bunch of cowboys, they were most helpful. Although they didn't stop calling us meatbombs!! If its a busy airport, expect to get holds, although if you have scheduled flights you can work around that. It can be done, although its hard to overcome the latent opposition from pilots, most of which comes from ignorance. Take an experienced jump pilot with you to help explain things, its helpful if he also has hours on big commercial jets, it helps keep the less rated opposition pilots quiet. Lay the PR on thick, with a shovel...... My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

She might finally realise the true meaning of the old adage: "When you are in a hole, first thing to do, is stop digging". My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

You know to prop swing....and you still have 10 fingers and 2 arms.... My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

Before they ask, just say; "You should see the other guy".... My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

A lot of times its from riser slap as the canopy deploys, and most times you won't be aware of it happening. As you are pulled upright, a lot of times people raise their arms, (its almost instinctive) as if you are reaching for toggles, and as that happens, the risers flail around and contact your arms. I used to lose chunks of skin off my hands until I started wearing gloves, and couldn't work out why. Nylon risers are quite abrasive. My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

Pack opening bands. Power handle. California SL system. Kicker plate. Volplane. My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

Hello, could you please explain why you think it is dangerous and not suitable for skydiving? And yes since we are not very experienced skydivers (we both are skydivers) we have been working with much more experienced skydivers. We also know that design as it is on the pictures isn't ideal and we have already changed it as explained in previous replays. Greetings As Terry says, post the new pictures then. Any gap is too big. Even 1 mm will snag a line. I've seen a fatality where a line got caught under a grommet on a closing flap, which you would think was impossible. If your mount is used, it WILL happen sooner or later. The outcome might not be fatal, but in the chain of events leading to fatalities, that is a good place to start. Snagged lines are an excellent way to start a double entanglement of main and reserve, or a reserve entanglement, if cutaway from a spinning malfunction. No one wants to go there. If I wanted to increase the chance of dying on a skydive, I would wear your mount as pictured. I have lost count of the number of jumpers who have approached me with a new bright idea, or who I have stopped getting into the plane because they are wearing or carrying something that will kill them if things go wrong. And you have to assume that things will go wrong at some point. Because it will. Murphys law. (Murphy loves skydivers) It is obvious that enthusiasm has blinded them to some of the potential flaws in their idea, and when some of these are pointed out to them they suddenly realise this is not a good idea at all. "Oh.......never thought of THAT" is the usual response. Having investigated several skydive fatalities, I can tell you it is not something that is enjoyable or something I wish to repeat. A lot of "new" ideas have been tried before, and discarded, because they have proven dangerous. The wheel doesn't need reinventing. I've done enough demos and test jumps to know that you have to think of everything And that is not easy. The point about things breaking, is in some situations, that might be the only way to get rid of a problem. Do not over engineer something to the point where it makes it impossible to get rid of. Would you rather lose your $300 helmet, or your life? Because that might be the only choice you have. Skydiving can kill you even if you do everything right. Never forget that. Terry suggested attaching your mount to a wall and hanging your coat on it. I would leave it there. Sorry to be a kill joy, but don't be put off, skydiving has made progress because crazy ideas sometimes turn to gold. Your motives are honourable. I'm sure you'll get it right. I commend you for coming onto the forum and asking for opinions and ideas, many would not do that, or ignore the advice. Keep working on it.....we need thinkers and innovators. Good luck. My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

Think again. That looks dangerous. Not suitable for skydiving. Did you actually think about it, or ask any experienced camera flyers for advice? I've seen lines catch on things a lot less snaggy than that. No way would I be happy with anyone jumping that on any DZ I was responsible for. Are you or your buddy even skydivers? Your profiles don't indicate so. And your previous comments regarding why it won't break, or losing your helmet, indicate to me you don't understand why that might be a good thing. My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

RIP "Tom the Pom" Thomas. Jumper from the old Sulphur City Skydivers, Rotorua, NZ, who passed yesterday aged 64. Another nailed by the big "C". Tom was well known around the Central North Island, Taupo and Matamata from the mid 70s on. Tom took a lot of early FF photos, and helped many young skydivers through their early years in the sport as an Instructor and Jumpmaster. On of lifes true gentlemen, always friendly and helpful, Tom was respected and loved by many Kiwi jumpers. Rest in peace mate. You won't be forgotten by the jumpers you encountered during the golden years of skydiving. My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

If you've paid a lot of money out to learn to skydive, then these instructors have an obligation to teach you to skydive, and there is a lot more to that, than just the jumps themselves. They should be teaching you to do proper, comprehensive gear checks before you graduate to your A licence. Also how to pack, spot, and a host of other things that are important in your education. After all, you will be in the position of passing your knowledge onto other newbies, down the track. People who demand more money to teach these as extras, are doing the sport a disservice, and IMO, are just rip off merchants. Its likely a lot of them learnt this stuff for free when they came through the system. Having said all that, the advice to buy the old DZ farts a beer, is one of the best ways to find things out....back in the day, prolly 50% of what a skydiver learnt, he learnt at the bar. I certainly did. There is usually quite a bit of down time on the DZ, weather holds etc, and that is the time to pounce on others sitting around. As someone else said, keep your ears and eyes open. When you are getting a gear check, or others are getting one, ask the checker what they are doing and why. A lot of stuff he can explain as he does it, so you are not holding things up. Watching from the ground, ask about the spot, opening point and flight patterns you are watching. There is usually one or two experienced guys hanging around, maybe waiting for a load. Go and stand next to the radio man when students are in the air, listen in to his commands and see what is happening. If you have a riggers loft on the DZ, go and watch him on the job, he is a mine of knowledge, and is often happy to chat as he works. There is no limit to what you can learn, but you have to be pro active. If you really are annoying someone when they are busy, you'll soon find out, but IMO most jumpers, as has been said, are happy to share knowledge with you. Just avoid the DZ loudmouths.....they usually "know it all" but in my experience, know 50% of SFA. And another important point. I've been involved with skydiving for 40 years, and haven't stopped learning. There is so much to know, I doubt anyone knows it all, or ever will. As for not being allowed to attend Germains course, what is that all about? Sitting at the back, listening and watching costs nothing. Did he even know about it? Maybe there was a reason, but I can't think of a good one. The chance to listen in to him is too good to pass up. Then there is the internet, publications and what not. Plenty of options if you want to become a skydiving nerd. There are no limits. Go for it. My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

A mate of mine, many years ago didn't own an alti, but used the old Mk 1 eyeball, he was always spot on the money without one. They bought in the rule that altis were compulsory. That annoyed him because he had to spend jump money on an alti. So he picked up an old broken one from somewhere for nothing and attached it to his ankle. His reasoning was, he would wear one, but he didn't have to look at it, and the rule didn't say anything about where he wore it or whether it worked. He was a contrarian, making his point. No one got upset about it. I can jump from any altitude and not look at my alti at any point. The reason it is there, is more for others in the formation to look at. People used to jump with stopwatches instead of altis. My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

"Hoping" doesn't cut it I'm afraid. And god won't help. If you are not 100% sure you can deal with a problem, you have no business getting in the plane. Seriously. If you can cutaway in the hanging harness, you can do so in the air. Go and do some more practice. I think your problem comes more from whether you will recognise a problem if you have one. People who have never had a mal, normally have this little seed of doubt in their minds, even if they've done hundreds of jumps. That is normal. What you need to get clear in your head is not about action, it is more about decision making. With skydiving, you need to be decisive. On opening, make a decision, and stick to it. You only have two very simple decisions to make. That should take two or three seconds, max. 1. Is it good? - Stick with it. 2. Is it bad? - Chop it. It really is quite simple. If you already know what a good canopy is like, a bad one will be equally obvious. If it isn't, it prolly isn't that bad. As for landing, you will save yourself from serious injury if you aim for clear spaces, adopt a good plf position, and land with at least half brakes, no matter which way you are facing. Down wind, crosswind or whatever. More forward speed downwind means you might roll and tumble a bit more on landing, but doesn't mean automatic injury. Keep your brain switched on under canopy, the jump isn't over till you land. My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

You ain't going to die skydiving if you ain't skydiving. So taking a break is safe. When you come back, do the refreshers and you'll be fine. If you are only just now figuring out landings, maybe you need to upsize. And with 100 jumps, you've only just scratched the surface. My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

Right then. My 2 cents worth. You've covered a whole pile of different issues, so I'll try and address them in some sort of order. First of all, as has been said, take your concerns to your instructors...they will not stop being your instructors, for ever. Don't ever be afraid or embarrassed to ask them. They would rather help you learn, than take you to the hospital. Believe me. Cutaway drills. I'm concerned that you say you forget to do them. They will save your life. I practise them whenever I train students, must have done them tens of thousands of times, yet I still go through the drills on the way to altitude before every jump. Never neglect them. You know the drills, you can practise them inside your head at any time....at home, driving to the DZ, at the DZ, and driving away from the DZ. Practise touching where your handles are located, and visualise yourself going through the motions. At the DZ, when there is downtime, ask for a training harness, put it on and practise the actions. Even better if you can get in the hanging harness, but on the ground is just as good. I can't imagine any instructor ever objecting to that if they are not in use..... Then go over them again in the plane. Only needs to take a few seconds. Muscle memory. The actions become automatic. Malfunctions. They are pretty rare (I've had 2 for real), but can happen anytime. For me, jump #6 and jump 500 and something. None after that. (Apart from a few deliberate cutaways from tests or demos, they don't count as real because they were planned) I had a mate who had 6 in his first 100 jumps and has over 30 reserve rides by now, so there are no rules. He sticks to his original training, making a decision, and then acting immediately. Hasn't let him down yet. (We told him to apply for an "A" licence for reserve rides ) Trust your reserve. With 13 jumps, you already know what a good canopy looks and FEELS like. Square and stable, and not going anywhere. A few line twists, brake release or collapsed end cells are easily dealt with, and are just minor hassles. If you open, and anything is seriously different, the canopy will tell you. And you will know!!! It won't look right, and it won't likely feel right....turning, or spinning, or all bunched up, and giving you no support. That's when your EPs kick in. Its not even scary, you just do what you have to do to live.....pull the handles. Determining altitude. Get used to looking at the ground below, and the horizon, at different altitudes....you can do that in the plane on the way up, as well as under canopy on the way down. Watch other canopies both from the ground and in the air, check out windsocks, use all that information to help you figure out when and where to turn. You will train you brain on the "picture" of the ground from various altitudes....but like anything, repetition gets that picture embedded. After a while you will not need to look at your altimeter at all. The mark 1 eyeball will work every time. Landing off is not a big deal...landing safely is. Just be conservative and smooth on the toggles. And while it is better to do as many jumps as you can, at this point, just do what you can... its not ideal, but as others have said, do as many back to back as you can, but if not, bide your time and hammer it later. (It took me 7 months to do my first 11 jumps, but that was 40 years ago when we didn't have access to aircraft, and starting in the fall) It will happen. The sky isn't going anywhere. And don't stress about dive flows...you will get there. An extra jump or two doesn't make a difference in the big scheme of things. Just enjoy the jumps. That is important. Good luck. My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

I don't see any lines not going through a slider grommet: Also, the slider does come all the way down to the front risers for a brief moment: There are two separate vids. The first one (malfunction 4) shows a line that seems to be outside the slider. The second one (malfunction 5) shows the lines to be OK. My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

How slack/unaware do you have to be, to pack the canopy with a line outside the slider? My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

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

Many moons ago we were in the plane with an old time skydiver who was also a professor at a top university. He was extremely precise in his corrections, and wanted to spot one day. We were at altitude but about 10 miles from the DZ when he stuck his head out the door and started giving the pilot corrections. TBF there was a fair bit of scattered cloud so it wasn't the easiest day to spot. Anyway, the boys in the back of the plane began adding up his corrections...."10 degrees left", "20 degrees right" etc until he finally gave the pilot the cut. We got out and opened about 2 miles from the DZ, and later in the bar we figured that the total of his corrections came to more than 360 degrees.....caused bit of a laugh at the old gentlemans expense. My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

Think of long hair blowing in the wind. In FF, let your arms and legs relax and let the wind blow them back like hair. The words "hard arch" implies rigidity. In FF, rigidity is your enemy. If your belly button is the lowest point on your body in FF, you are in an ok position. You don't need to strain yourself to do it right. Don't fight the wind. Let gravity and the wind do all the work. Enjoy the ride. My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

I agree with most of what you say, apart from the bit I've highlighted. IMO the scenario you describe is unlikely. Opening shock where rips and broken lines occur, do so because at that point the canopy is subject to most force and stress. Once the canopy is open the forces on it are fairly constant. Canopy fabric and lines are pretty strong, and fabric "unzipping" like that, and lines suddenly snapping, might happen in Hollywood for dramatic effect, but in reality is not likely at all. A test jump I did on a canopy which had significant damage after an encounter with a power pole, suffered no further damage after I subjected it to a terminal opening. ( I didn't land it of course) I was trying to blow it up completely. As others have said, its best to stick with what your training told you, if you have doubts about the canopy, that is a good enough reason to chop it, up high. Your decision making has to be decisive. Make a decision immediately, AND STICK TO IT. IMO the most dangerous situations for any jumper to deal with, are those like the OP describes, because they cause indecision, and altitude is wasted humming and haaing about what to do. Altitude is precious and should not be wasted trying to make a decision. A fast mean mal doesn't need much thinking about, so decision making is easy. And don't ever forget, that a canopy which you might have limited control over, could easily become uncontrollable near the ground due to turbulence...a much bigger danger than further damage occurring. At that point you are out of choices, and things can get nasty....very nasty. Sticking to your training is the best option, its why we train that way, and is the result of lots of experience over long periods of time.

Social media is your friend. Name and shame UK Mail.... My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

I just had Nelson from the Simpsons in my head pointing and going "Harr haaaarrr" My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....