David Wang

I will definitely try that out up high during a jump!! Thanks

Thanks! I will definitely switch to left hand deployment!

Note!!!: People's experience levels are different, please please talk to instructors. Do NOT follow what I have written down. I'm going to talk to my instructors as well and analyze everything to see if there is anything that needs to be changed!!! This post just gathers some of my thoughts!!! Hi everyone, pretty sure when I get back in the sky I need to have a "game plan", just in case if it ever happens again. (Will definitely get my shoulder fixed and get doctor's approval before getting back in the sky) below is my version of game plan, and I post it here for any additional insights and advice! Thanks and Blue Skies!!! I am a jumper who only has 24 jumps, so I think I will mostly do solos or 2-way coaching for a while. So this set of EPs is for myself doing 2-ways or solos. Emergency Procedures(EPs) for shoulder dislocations during a skydive. Scenario One: Right shoulder dislocation in freefall (or on exit): 1. Wave off and signal the other jumper if I’m doing 2-way 2. Pull the reserve handle at designated pull altitude(DONT WAIT OR DELAY), or pull at 500ft higher than the designated altitude. 3. Landing: I have figured out two methods to land. First method: keep the brakes stowed, left arm steer the reserve using left rear riser. If I want to turn right 90, turn left 270 degrees. (But I think it's probably good to avoid this kind of big turn) Watch the traffic while turning. Avoid traffic and fly a left hand side pattern if possible. No flare, hard PLF. Second method: release both brakes using one arm, both toggles in left hand. (How to turn? I haven't figuerd this out yet) one hand flare, left hand pull down as hard as possible in front of my body, PLF. Scenario two: left shoulder dislocation in freefall(or on exit): 1. Same step: Wave off and signal the other jumper if I’m doing 2-way 2. Right hand pull the main at designated pull altitude(DONT WAIT OR DELAY), or pull at 500ft higher than the designated altitude. There will be a potential problem: if there is anything wrong with the main and I need to cut away, I will use only right hand to cut away. (Different DZs teach different EPs, I have learned to cut away both hands and pull the reserve both hands at Perris) RSL deploys the reserve. After cutaway, right hand should try to pull the reserve handle. There is another way: right hand go striaght to reserve in freefall. (I need to practice this in the harness room before getting back in the sky. I never tried this before) 3. Landing methods are the same, two methods mentioned above. (Second method: release both brakes using right arm, both toggles in right hand, right hand flare, PLF) Scenario three: Both shoulders dislocated in freefall(or on exit) Honestly, I think i'd be screwed if this really happens. I'd either try to let other jumpers pull for me or wait for the AAD to fire. Even then, I have no control of either the main or the reserve, probably fly straight to the ground, hope for the best and hard PLF. However, I think this kind of scenario is highly unlikely. Some thoughts: There are a lot of unpredictable factors. The size of the landing area is a factor too. So be familar with the landing area is very important. Jumping at a bigger DZ may also help too. When I wrote down the EPs I assumed that reserve opens perfectly. I choose to pull at the designated altitude or just 500 ft higher because of the wind. If winds are strong that day I don't really want to pull high. Are there any other ways to land? Are there any other scenarios? Thanks in advance for all the insights and advice. (Oh shoot, it'd be a different set of EPs if using left side BOC) Blue Skies!!!

I use three apps/websites: US Air Net (Aviation weather & Air Sports Net) Windy (this is a nice app to track wind) AccuWeather Perris, California Blue Skies!!

Sorry about this post.....I just talked to my surgen for the first time who actually did my surgery and found out that I actually did not have a fusion........ these screws and rods are only to stablize my spine while bone heals on its own. I will take the hardware out in May next year. Guess this is great news!

what facebook page is that? Could you tell me? Thanks!

Thanks. I had an L5-S1 fusion I think

Hello, I wonder if I am still allowed to jump if I have spinal fusion on my lower back. I don't know if I still meet the physical requirements. A full recovery is expected. 4 screws and 2 rods in hipbone/sacral area and I'm seriously thinking about removing all hardware when bones heal. Thanks and blue skies.

Ok! Thanks. It never happened to me again after I took precautions. Just graduated yesterday!! Blue skies.

haha yeah! dehydration is a sneaky beast. It's worth paying attention to

thanks for all the ideas! Yesterday Perris was like 105 F I drank tons of water, (like go to the restroom every hour) and ate snacks (energy bars,bananas and eggs) and I felt super energetic throughout the skydive. Canopy flight was super awesome, nice flare and stand-up landing! :) didn't pass Level 7 tho because I have some issues with my leg position and tracking. I'm ready to repeat and conquer!

Hey all! It's been a long time since last time I posted here. Hope everyone is doing well. Good news! I'm on AFF level 7 now, going to finish it this Sunday and will graduate from school. Bad news! Dehydration hit me hard when I was under canopy last time. (sudden Intensive muscle soreness, nausea and blurred vision. After landing I drank tons of water and ate lunch and I was totally fine ) I can think about a few ideas to prevent this from happening again: 1.Drink plenty of water before and after the skydive 2.healthy breakfast before the day and eat snacks between the jumps. 3.Have a good night sleep. 4. Wear something light, (But I don't think this applies to me because I wear that student jumpsuit, and gear is heavy) 5. Proper gear fit: adjust leg strap ( maybe my leg straps were too tight) ..... any more ideas? Odd enough, dehydration is quite sneaky, freefall was incredibly awesome and it hit me right after canopy opening. Blue skies!

Best reply lol

skydiving has made me become a more happier person for sure...Maybe that's the reason! :)

But I don't think I am addicted to adrenaline tho

It has confused me for a very long time... like I get up in the morning, stare at the sky, and suddenly there is a random thought in my mind asking me :" Why do I jump? Is it worth it?" something like that..even I am super stoked about skydiving.. it's like "two personality" lol My personal explanation to this is my brain, my survival instinct, but idk. Why do I skydive? honestly I don't have a clear answer. Is it fun? Yes. Is it like nothing else? Yes. Is it the most incredible thing you have ever done in your life? Yes. But I still don't have a clear answer...

Thank you everyone! stay safe stay healthy

My school just got shut down and it will last about 1-2 months. I heard European DZs are closing...I asked Perris today and they said they have been cleaning the planes after each landing and hand sanitizers are provided at anytime. Just wondering are you guys still jumping? I'm scheduled to jump next week if the weather will be better.

You are right and I agree with you! Thanks...

Thank you!

Thank you. I should talk more to my instructors. Always ready for a PLF--I've really learned a lesson.

ok....Thank you! Maybe I should PLF everytime

Thank you..yes I need to be prepared for PLF on every jump but somehow I just didn't do it and slid on the dirt. I really shouldn't listen to that radio on final.

Oh right! The plane just passes by... So you both say just practice more... what if I get hurt again on landing? I do PLF every time until I get the feel when to flare? Actually I was supposed to get hurt on my first jump that day but I landed on the grass far away from the dropzone... it was the same way when I landed as my second jump. I slid on the grass but I was fine..and I had a healthy exercise walking back to the dropzone with that huge canopy lol...

Thanks! You are right - I am the pilot and I decide when to flare.