tombuch

Yup, and it's not a troll.

He isn't kicked off or grounded...that would imply there are rules. The Ranch is very laid back, probably more so than most DZ's. That means we all have the freedom to do pretty much as we please, but a responsibility not to hurt other jumpers. It also means the folks around us in the sky may be a bit less focused on safety, so we all need to be extra heads up. It is a different approach to managing a DZ, and it seems our jumpers like it that way. So, if Veter returns he will be welcomed and able to jump, but of course he will need to deal with some folks who find his approach a bit hostile. He can make it work, but it'll be a bit tough. . Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

Hey Trent: The Ranch still puts tandems out after freefallers and IAF students. It really is the safest way to handle the mix, plus the students get full altitude and will have more time for fun after the initial overload goes away. I think you are correct that putting tandems out first increases the risk of a freefall collision, congests the traffic pattern with dissimilar parachutes, and it adds to problems in the event of an aircraft emergency. It won’t matter if the airplane is spinning at 1,000 feet, but it will be a factor with a mechanical at 2,000 – 4,000 feet. Tandem should be the safest way to make a skydive, and if we follow all the best safety practices they can be. Unfortunately, many drop zones reduce safety margins in many small ways, and those incremental reductions add up to significantly higher risk. In my opinion, putting tandems out before up-jumpers reduces safety by at least a little bit, and it shouldn’t be done. With that said, DZO’s can make whatever decisions they like: get ‘um out low, open ‘um low, jump in high winds, put ‘um through clouds, jam instructors on back-to-backs, slam pack jobs by unsupervised packers, slash or eliminate student training, use uncertified instructors, use ragged out gear, ignore landing patterns, whatever. Each issue is small, but they add up. A good safety program attempts to identify all the incrementals and eliminate them. Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

Interesting approach. I always liked to have my tandem students pull the ripcord and help fly the parachute. That created even more "ownership." It was amazing how many people thought skydiving was this complex thing that they could never master, but then how their impressions changed after they pulled the ripcord and "saved their instructor's life." I found that students who pulled the ripcord and helped fly the parachute to landing had a more positive experience, and were more likely to return. I always considered tandems as training jumps, even for those students who said they had no intention of returning. My ripcord pull percentage was well over 50 percent, and my assist with parachute flight to landing was near 90 percent. Other instructor who thought of tandems as "just a ride" reported ripcord pull rates of about 10 percent, and some never allowed their students to fly the parachute. I'm convinced that if we get our students involved and help them to achieve success they are more likely to return for more jumps, and will have a more powerful "take home" from the experience. "Ownership" is an interesting way to describe all that. . Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

Fatalities are only one part of the story. Injury accidents also matter, as does the general quality of the training you will receive, and the relationships you will build. It's good that you are doing some research. Next, try calling around and asking all the local DZ's questions, vist a few other DZ's, and then make your decision. If you would like a bit of help with questions and what they mean, check out my book JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy published by McGraw-Hill two years ago. It is loaded with background that will help you to evaluate a dropzone, and in fact, was written just for consumers like you. I think Amazon still has a preview of the first chapter, index, and table of contents available. Sorry for the commercial plug, but your question is a good one, you are interested in research, and the book seems to be a good fit for you. I'd also suggest you post the name of the DZ and area you are in so others with direct knowledge can offer their comments. . Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

i'm not offended, you're just thinking of someone else... my first camera jump was #411 and that's abotu the time i started jumping at the ranch regularly (though my first jump at the ranch was way back at 238.... no camera.... 8 jumps back from a broken leg in PA) i was actually petrified of putting the camera on my head, sought a lot of guidance from the vidiots at the DZ i was jumping at at the time..... most of my major cockiness was knocked out of me on jump 230 when i hooked low, but i'd never jumped at the ranch at the time. Didn't start even think about swooping again until i hit 1000.. but now i'm really digressing. Ahh, the benefits of a good logbook. Was I really that much of a jerk? Was I really as safe as I like to think I was? Did I have a clue? How many jumps did I have when I stared on that canopy? Yup, I love logbooks cause they keep it pretty real. . Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

My goal was to get my commercial pilot license, something I couldn't afford to do while also jumping hard-core. The solution was to teach skydiving as an extra weekend job. I loved teaching, and the money I made over the summer was left on account until the end of the season. I used those funds to pay for flight training over the winter. It was a great program that kept me jumping and left enough money for a pilot license. Balance your priorities now and in the future, and you will find a way. It sounds like you are already on the right track by at least thinking about the issues. . Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

Consider your equipment, even if you don't own it. The Skyhook is super cool because it almost eliminates unstable reserve openings. That's a key advantage of the Sigma over other rigs. If your drop zone uses a different rig, convince them to switch to the Sigma with Skyhook. As for not using an RSL on a tandem, damn do I think that's a bad idea. When things go bad on a tandem, they go fast and ugly. That's especially likely to happen on a spinning cutaway with a freaked out student. Plus, with an RSL you have an additional way to get the reserve out. I've been certified on the Strong, Racer, Vector, Sima (with and without Skyhook), and have about 1,000 tandem jumps. I'm a believer in RSL's and the Skyhook. Please also check out the USPA BSR's. Under Parachute Equipment it says that all student jumps (no exceptions for tandems) must use an RSL. If you are jumping at a USPA dropzone, or have a USPA tandem rating you must use an RSL unless you have a waiver from the BOD. . Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

Let's be careful about the personality attacks. Sometimes even good people get stuck with an ego issue. When I was a young pup I had the BIGGEST attitude in the sport. I busted every rule and honestly thought I was bulletproof. Umm, I was wrong. It took a while (and one grounding) to figure that out, but hey, even dumbass skydivers can live and learn. . Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

If you are having trouble with a student I'd suggest asking another instructor to take over. After a few instructors have handled the person and identified the same problem grounding is in order. I guess my preference is to spell the issues out and let the student know that you think he should consider giving up the sport, then leave the decision to him. It's generally a matter of a few stiff debriefs. Sometimes a student just doesn't get it and must be grounded. I don't think I have ever done that, other than with a SL first jump student who was suicidal. In that case I gave him the number of a crisis center, offered to let him hang around the DZ, but made it clear he wouldn't be rejoining the class. . Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

Nope. Liability insurance for instructors is not part of the USPA plan. You will need to buy your own policy if that is something you care about. Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

If it is stamped it shouldn't be a big problem. Sometimes there are administrative issues, but they are pretty easy to fix. As for the two cards, both the two and four page cards are still in use. Either is current and should be fine. . Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

She doesn't gotta stop because it isn't her game. It's a public game developed by other Ranch members and she is just collecting the money. I'd suggest you find out who bought your name and then speak to that person. If you can convince the purchaser that you are not likely to die, or no longer need the public incentive of being on the list, then perhaps that person will ask the game manager to change his selection. Or perhaps the purchaser will tell you your name was selected as a long shot. As for slider tampering, or attacks to kill you, I doubt that will be happening at The Ranch. The pot in Modified Bounce Bingo is less than $100.00, and the vibes are pretty darn good. I'm the Safety and Training Advisor and sometimes that makes me unpopular, but I've always felt that my gear was safe, even when I leave it unlocked through the week. This Modified Bounce Bingo thing really isn't a big deal, and I hope you can find other things to get under your skin. How about the appointment of John Bolton to the UN? Or perhaps world hunger. I tend to get pissed off about our failed energy policy that drives consumption rather than conservation, and I sometimes even get pissed about the national policy to destroy our wilderness areas. Think big...there are plenty of meaningful things to get pissed off about. . Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

There are actually two versions of the game. The original Bounce Bingo involves buying into a pool for a piece of real estate. The actual "squares" are drawn randomly, so you know what your piece of property is, but have no say in selecting it. Bounce Bingo was a big deal at The Ranch many years ago and we went through about eight seasons of the game before we had a fatality. The dropzone manager quickly ended the game before a new pool could be established. That was about five years ago and since then we have been averaging one fatality every year. We no longer have a real DZ Manager, and some club members regenerated the game in the spirit of Ranch style sportsmanship. Shares are $10.00 each and remain valid until somebody wins the pot. Modified Bounce Bingo is a new game for The Ranch. The idea is to highlight potential problems in advance. Any club member (or visitor) can select any other jumper and put $10.00 on him/her. If that person goes in, the pot is split among everybody that selected that person. So, you could bet on a person you consider a sure thing even though five other people selected that person, in which case the pot is split six ways. Or, you could pick the safest person on the DZ thinking that luck plays a role too, and if the safe guy goes in, you will probably be the only person betting on him and will take the entire pot. People who have been selected are listed on the board with the number of shares sold. The name of the person buying those shares isn't public, but is available to if requested. Thus, if you find yourself on the board you can go back to the purchaser and ask why, and hopefully learn something about yourself. I'm one of the S&TA's and probably won't go in, but if anybody wants to waste their money betting on me I'll be fine with it. So far there are only a handful of players in each game, and we don't ever expect it to get big enough to incentivize any harm. It's all in good fun, and part of the historical culture of The Ranch. There have been a few complaints from people who have been selected in Modified Bounce Bingo because they don't like being labeled as a safety risk, but in reality the DZ has been abuzz with similar under-the-table discussions for years. I suppose it just hurts a lot more when you see your name on the board. The Ranch has a very unique culture and Bounce Bingo has always been part of the BSBD thing. It's really just a way of laughing at the risks we all face every day. The Ranch has a brand new web based bulletin board under the Skydiver Central tag on a brand new web site at: http://theblueskyranch.com/. If you really don't like Bounce Bingo or Modified Bounce Bingo, or resent being on the list, share your concerns on the local board. Perhaps people will take you seriously, or perhaps they will just think your ego is bigger than your sense of humor. Whatever. . Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

A cell phone is great for contacting the DZ, but the folks at 911 will not always know where you are. In order for Enhanced 911 to work with cell phones the local 911 system must be set up to handle the triangulation function. Few systems are configured for this yet, and most that are, are in urban areas. The phone you are using must also be configured for enhanced 911, and the provider must be set-up to provide this information to dispatch. The system is a long way from complete. At The Ranch we are served by an outstanding public dispatcher that is equipped for enhanced 911, and they can track a cell phone to a location. Verizon offers the best cell signals in our area, and they are set-up for enhanced 911. Some of the other cell phone providers do not offer enhanced 911 tracking. That means that if you have Verizon, the weak link in our area is the actual phone. You can check with the manufacturer of your cell phone to find out if it is capable of providing location. Keep in mind that not all areas can accommodate cell phone tracking, so unless you know the area can handle cell phones, you should tyy and call for 911 service on a land line. Another problem with cell phones and 911 is the overload of the system. When an accident happens at a DZ many people will often call at once, jamming the lines and overloading the 911 dispatchers. Sometimes some of those calls will bounce over to another 911 system, overloading those operators too. Ideally the 911 call will be made by manifest, so that should usually be the first point of contact. Manifesters have been trained to work with 911 operators, and the manifest land line will provide the dispatchers with an exact address. Most drop zones have an established system for handling accidents. Ask at your DZ what the policy is, and if your area has enhanced 911 that will track cell phones. The Ranch policy is listed on our new web site at http://www.theblueskyranch.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=21. It is also listed on our old site (soon to be removed) in the S&TA Forum. It is called "Article 10 In an Emergency and is available at http://www.ranchskydive.com/safety/index.htm . Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

http://www.skydivingweather.com/wx.php . Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

You are correct that a skydiving parachute rig is not likely to be used by a terrorist, but of course it could be used for that purpose. Police should be able to assess the actual risk of a specific bag or person and then make a judgment decision about the level of search required. Opening a reserve container in the subway environment is very disruptive, can harm the reserve parachute, and is rarely necessary. The ideal solution is for the police to learn about parachutes and parachutists so they can make appropriate judgments about risk in the field environment. I like to use the analogy of a muscian taking a guitar and amplifier on a subway. A responsible police officer will open the external case and see that the package is a guitar amplifier. Of course the amplifier case could still contain explosives, but it is unlikely the police officer will need to physically remove the screws and inspect the electronic contents. Rather, the officer will be able to politely question the citizen, inspect the exterior of the amplifier, and then make a judgment that the package is not a threat. I suppose an amplifier case that smells of fuel oil and is dripping brown liquid might raise additional suspicions, as might a passenger who doesn’t know how to operate the amplifier, or can’t answer simple questions about music. In those cases a more detailed and invasive inspection might be called for. The same is true for parachute equipment…police should have a general understanding of the equipment and a basic ability to assess the threat level. It seems that NYC residents have reached a collective conclusion that their right to privacy, and their rights to be free of unreasonable search and seizure, do not extend to the subway system as absolute protections. With that in mind, police should find every means possible to minimize the intrusion of searches, and to protect, as much as possible, the constitutional protections afforded United States citizens. I live in Vermont where my biggest security concern is whether I left my car keys in the ignition, or under the drivers seat. I also worry (sometimes) about being attacked by a hungry black bear when I’m sleeping under the stars in the local wilderness area. Subway and urban terrorist threats just don’t register with me. I do understand the concern among NYC residents, and hope that we can find reasonable ways to balance civil rights and public safety, at least with regard to the inspection of parachute equipment. . Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

It sounds like you have hit upon a rare problem that could be a big issue for NYC based skydivers. I am the Safety and Training Advisor at The Ranch in Gardiner, NY, and made a few calls to the NYC Police Department today on behalf of our New York City jumpers who share your situation and concerns. Based on several phone calls, my general impression is that the NYC Police Department is struggling to deal with issues related to bag inspections on mass transport. The task is new and they are not yet well trained in this area, although they are beginning to develop solutions to problems such as the inspection of parachute equipment. Fortunately, procedures for the inspection of parachutes as baggage have been created for airport screeners, and the parachute industry has a long history of working with the various organizations, companies, and government agencies that handle this task. We should have a relatively easy time transitioning existing commercial aviation procedures to the mass transit environment, assuming the NYC police department is willing to work with user groups representing skydivers. My first few calls to NYPD were met with a cliché NY attitude suggesting that the needs of users didn’t matter, and that parachutes would be opened and inspected at will regardless of the consequences to the users or the equipment. Once I moved beyond the front line phone operators I was able to speak with folks in the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Public Information. The Deputy Commissioners office is now working my concerns through the office of Counter Terrorism Prevention, and I should hear back from them shortly. My hunch is that we can build a reasonable search protocol that relies on the judgment of well trained police officers, and that protects the integrity of parachute equipment. In the meantime, I have updated an old letter I used when traveling on airlines with my rig, and included it here as an attachment. You may feel free to print the document and carry it along with your gear in the NYC subway system. You might consider having your local DZ print the document on official stationary to make it look a bit more official. I’d also suggest that you make sure of the following: The rig should have a TSO tag (generally near the packing data card pocket). The packing data card should include your name, and the serial number of the rig. The packing data card should include the rigger seal number. You should carry a USPA membership card. I’ll be following up with the NYC Police Department in hopes of including parachute equipment in their training and printed resources. Let’s all keep in mind that the random inspection of carry-on baggage on mass transit is probably going to be a continuing issue for a long time to come. As such, we should be focused on solving the long term issues associated with inspections, with a focus on the training of the inspectors. . Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

If both the rig and reserve are TSO'ed then you will need to follow the requirements for US jumpers, including a repack by a FAA rigger within 120 days unless the WFFC has a special waiver that allows you to use your own gear under the foreign regulations. So, my advice is to be packed by an FAA rigger within 120 days. For additional detail see http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/safety/detail_page.cgi?ID=96 . Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

At the risk of getting into a statistical battle, why do you think skiing and snowboarding are more dangerous? I am a certified snowboard instructor (AASI) and skydiving instructor (USPA), and have looked at those stats...skydiving has snowboarding and skiing beat easily as more dangerous in terms of total injuries and fatalities. . Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

mr2mk1g had a good overall answer. As he notes, skydiving is dangerous as shown by general statistics. However, we do control many of the risk factors and can influence the specific level of risk we choose to expose ourselves to. I'm the Safety and Training Advisor at one of the largest drop zones in the Northeastern United States called The Ranch, and covered statistics quickly in one of my on-line columns. It is called "Article 7, Skydiving Risk" and is available at http://www.ranchskydive.com/safety/index.htm. The feature is based on research I did for my McGraw-Hill book called JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy. JUMP! was written for folks like you who wonder about the sport of skydiving. It is designed to help you and your loved ones understand the risks, and to pick the best drop zone and training method for your needs. It is available at many booksellers including Amazon.com. The Amazon listing includes a feature called "look inside this book" that will give you a peek at part of the first chapter. Listen up to the way others answer your question here, then do a bit more research on your own before making your decision. Blue skies, Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

My practiced procedure was cutaway then reserve, so that's what I did. It happened on a pick up 60 way with an ugly breakoff, so I wound up throwing at about 1,500 feet, saw the collapsed pilot chute, vented some nasty words in the direction of the packer, and then cutaway and pulled the reserve. . Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

Umm, I think it's time for a new rig. I doubt there are any charts that will match anything to a GQ Security anything. If you insist on keeping the rig, then your best bet is to actually pack the canopy and see if it fits first hand. GQ Security Systems were fine rigs 'back in the day, but seriously, I suggest that you replace it with a modern rig. You will find contemporary rigs are safer and more comfortable. Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

Been there, handled that. The rig was packed by a DZ packer rat, and back then collapsible pilot chutes didn't have windows to confirm they were cocked. I got bit. I still see it happen once in a while. . Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

Without seeing the hole, I would assume it is just a small snag, and not a big deal. However, if you know about damage you should tell the buyer...that's an ethical position that applies to anything you are selling. My hunch is that a buyer won't care. As long as he knows about it, he will have the choice to ignore the hole, add a patch, or throw on a bit of duct tape. . Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy