tombuch

Has anybody received a new copy of the RWS video that recognizes tandem is no longer experimental, or are all DZ’s still using the old version? Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

Nope. USPA does not even track the types of injuries or accidents other than fatal accidents. All members are asked to report the number of doctor visits each year when they renew their membership. Those reports show an average of one doctor visit for a skydiving related problem for every 22 jumpers (four year average). That's about one reported doctor visit for every 1,721 jumps (2002 numbers). Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

I think that's the point of the proposed article. I'm an EMT and S&TA at a large Northeast drop zone. We had 15 ambulance calls last year and 22 the year before that. Our average last year was one ambulance call for every 2,989 jumps. Most are minor, but each season we can expect 3-4 life threats. I find our emergencies break down into several categories, and an understanding of mechanism of injury will help rescuers to identify injuries. First, we have students with minor injuries such as sprained ankles or dislocated shoulders. The ankle injuries are usually not a big deal and are caused by poor landing position. Shoulder injuries tend to develop on a tandem skydive, usually related to a preexisting injury. These minor injuries are often easy to treat on the scene with a suggestion that the student seek medical assistance, but because of liability concerns we tend to call for professional help. Responders shouldn’t worry too much about these calls. Second, we have generally poor landings that are straight ahead or involve a small turn near the ground with most of the energy dissipated forward along the ground. These accidents generally involve ankle or lower leg injury and nothing much more. The key is that the landing is straight in with limited energy. The jumper is likely to be A+O3 and angry at himself for making an error. There is rarely any kind of life threat. Third, we have high speed turning injuries, often referred to as “hook turn” accidents. These events generally involve blunt trauma to the legs followed by energy distribution to the body core and finally the head. Hook turns often begin with a femur or pelvis injury, or sometimes both. The jumper continues moving and often delivers some remaining energy to the head. Any injury involving significant turning impact should be treated as a spinal injury. These accidents can be fatal and should be treated aggressively. One of the critical issues is how fast the deceleration was. If the jumper slammed in fast, internal deceleration injuries with bleeding should be considered Fourth, we have stalled parachutes, or landings that are at slow speed but straight down, rather than straight ahead. These accidents are likely to happen on gusty or turbulent days, or to tandem jumpers. In these accidents the first point of significant contact is often the jumpers butt. The most common result is a compressed or fractured L-1, although other injuries may also exist and may include compression to other vertebra. Keep in mind that if a jumper landed a main parachute the reserve is still in the container and if the jumper lands with backward movement the bulky reserve will apply pressure to the center of the spine. A jumper will often not consider these kinds of accidents as serious, although they are. Fifth, we have serious malfunctions that involve significant downward movement. These accidents almost always involve leg injury, back injury, and some internal injury. Sudden deceleration injuries can often include a torn aorta, so transport times should be kept to a minimum. These accidents are potentially fatal and should be handled aggressively. When a jumper lands with a partially open parachute it should be handled as a life threat. Massive trauma that appears to be fatal may be survivable. Responders should not give up on any patient. Skydivers have a variety of helmets, and many jump without helmets. The helmets used in the sport may or may not provide any real protection. A responder should inspect a helmet for damage. Often a patient who says he didn’t hit his head will have a helmet with dirt or fresh scratches and should be treated for head and spinal injury. Consider that skydivers usually land on their feet first. If any energy reached the head and damaged or marked the helmet responders should anticipate back/neck injury. Helmets are of many varieties and may be difficult for a responder to remove. In recent years there have been several cases of heart attack in freefall. Generally these are caused by preexisting conditions aggravated by the reduced atmospheric pressure (about .6 ATM at 14,000 feet) and both stress and physical exertion. Chest pain or shortness of breath that lasts for more than a few minutes should be taken seriously. These are the basics of skydiving accidents. Of course every call to a drop zone may not be a serious injury. We also have simple slip-and-falls, bee stings with allergic reactions, drug overdoses, and everything else that follows a standard crowd of young people playing outdoors. Responders should also be prepared for a mass causality incident involving a plane crash with fuel spill and possible injury to people on the ground. Airplane accidents may happen on or near the drop zone, or they may happen in another jurisdiction. All responders should have a plan to deal with a MCI. Responders should know that jumpers have expensive equipment and would rather a rig NOT be cut off. Sometimes that is necessary. I’ve found that if a jumper does not complain or resist when it is suggested that his rig be cut off, then the injury should be considered a life threat. Responders should seek guidance and help from responsible jumper on the scene. To this end, emergency crews that have a drop zone in their coverage area should develop an advance relationship with the local jumpers. Training topics might include rig and helmet removal or separation of tandem harnesses, and drop zones are usually happy to help with this training. Respect gets respect and helps everybody to deal with a stressful situation. See the article I wrote (Article 10-In an Emergency) for The Ranch web site at: http://ranchskydive.com/safety/index.htm Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

There are several ways of approaching rigging, depending on your level of interest and commitment. The first option is to ignore the whole topic, hire a packer, and remain ignorant of your gear. Far too many jumpers take this approach. I’m glad to hear you have an interest in growing beyond this level. The second option is to become very familiar with your basic equipment, how it works, and how to maintain it. This is actually pretty easy to do, and is probably the level of skill and understanding you are looking for. The school at The Ranch should be able to teach you the basics of your gear. Packers in the “Great Hall” can tell you more. Sonic, or the other riggers at The Pro Shop can provide even more information. Spend time watching packers work. Ask questions. Open your rig and inspect all the components with a more experienced packer. Practice, practice, practice. Read the instruction manual for your parachute and rig. Keep in mind that when the weather is good everybody will want to be jumping, but when the clouds roll in the DZ becomes a very boring place and all the busy riggers and packers will be much more willing to spend time with you. You can also ask professional riggers to let you watch them pack reserves, and they may even be willing to let you pack your own under their supervision. All this training is informal and there shouldn’t be any significant costs. If a rigger/packer/instructor spends extra time with you it is customary to offer a tip, hand him/her a beer, or perhaps buy lunch, but other than that there shouldn’t be any special costs. Given your profile, I suggest you ask the Ranch instructors to teach you to pack. Spend a half day opening and closing a rig under the tent, watching how your pack jobs open on the ground then packing the same rig again. Ask questions when you are unsure, then jump your pack jobs. The third option is to actually become a rigger. This isn’t such a tough task, but it does take time. Rigger candidates generally mentor under a current rigger. Most begin by packing their own reserve under supervision, then pack other peoples reserves, also under supervision of a current rigger. There are also formal rigging courses that can run from 7-10 days, or over a longer period. Courses such as the one offered over the winter by Dave DeWolf will run you about 1,500 for the training, lodging, travel, food, equipment, testing, etc. Many rigger candidates skip the formal courses and simply take the FAA test after a period of mentoring. The actual FAA requirements are to pack 20 reserves under supervision, then take a computer based knowledge test followed by a formal oral and practical test. Ask your local riggers how they got their ratings and what they recommend. So, to get back to your original question, most drop zones don’t offer much in the way of formal classes. You need to self educate. That’s not hard to do, but it does take initiative. I’m glad you are interested. Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

I have always wanted my students to pull the ripcord, but try not to present it as a life or death issue for them. I tell them that if they don't pull the ripcord I will, but if they do, "...you can tell your friends and family that you saved your instructor's life..." It usually generates a smile. Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

According to the regulation you will need an FAA rigger to repack your gear because part of it is TSO'ed. That sounds crazy, but it is the law. You can read a bit more about this regulation in a feature here on dropzone.com at http://www.dropzone.com/news/GearRegulationsforParach.shtml It would be worth calling the DZ you are visiting and asking them what their specific policy is. Many drop zones do not know about this regulation, or they just ignore it. So, a call or email might save you a repack. Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

Dude, it sounds like you did OK. If you were able to recover stability on your own, then once on the ground you should raise your right hand, reach around to your left shoulder, then pat yourself on the back. Loss of stability is a scary thing and recovering should give you tremendous confidence. As you keep learning you will be able to recover in even less altitude. Sometimes we learn more when things go wrong than when they go right. Look for the positives here and enjoy your skydives!! Congrats on recovering! Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

If the matter was a safety issue then the instructor needs to step in an offer a correction. If it's just a training issue it can probably wait until later when you guys are alone. The instructor should respect the coach and not do anything to undermine him. As an alternative, the instructor may say something like "hey (coaches name) check out this really cool tip I have for that situation..." then offer some learning for both, followed by a quick compliment of the instructor in front of the student. This needs to be handled with tact, but it could be valuable for everybody involved. Remember, you are always operating under the supervision of the instructor and he needs to be sure the school standards are being met. Hopefully he is also helping to train and mentor you. If you feel an instructor stepped on you with an unneeded interruption that damages the respect and trust your student has for you, then my suggestion is to quickly let the student know there are many ways of doing the same task, and perhaps we can try it the other guys way. The student can even be asked to give you some post-jump feedback about how effective the suggestion was. Be cool about it, hold your head up high and maintain your own self-respect. Your student should respond to that. Later, when you have a chance and can speak with the other instructor you should probably thank him for the suggestion but let him know he put you in a tough spot. If the instructor remains really condescending you should speak with the DZO or another respected instructor. Being part of a team isn't always easy, either for the coach or the instructor. Just try to keep in mind everybody is learning and growing, and hopefully the result will be a well trained student and a progressively improving school program. Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

I don't use the five second rule for being alone. The five second rule is generally (in my experience) applied to a student who is unstable and unable to recover for five seconds or longer, or who is not altitude aware for five seconds or longer. In those cases the student may have been instructed to pull after trying to regain altitude awareness or stability for five seconds. Students generally have a horrible sense of time and we don't want them fixating on a problem, thus the five second rule was developed. Being alone in freefall is a different animal. On a conventional AFF level 1-3 a student shouldn't be alone, so if he is, the briefing is generally for the student to respond by pulling the main ripcord. This could happen with an unstable exit, but otherwise at least one instructor should be attached. On conventional AFF levels 4-7 the student will probably be released and should expect to be alone. There shouldn't be any reason for a student to pull in this situation. It's entirely possible that everything will be fine yet the student won't be able to see his instructors if they are slightly behind him, or if the student has tunnel vision, so it shouldn't matter to the student if the instructor(s) are there or not. My brief on levels 4-7 is to remain altitude aware and do the skydive, even if you never see the instructor at all. The five second rule should be of interest to a coach. Imagine your student is an upper level student who is in your charge as a coach. For some reason he begins to spin out of control or at least he thinks he is out of control. I don't believe that you should (as a coach) attempt to stop the spin, but you should know the student may have a five second rule in his head and may deploy after just a few seconds of spinning. So, it is especially important for you to remain clear of the space over the student at all times, but doubly so when he is out of control. My suggestion in that case is for the coach (or AFF-I) to move away immediately following the student opening and open quickly to stay with the student who, because of the high opening, may not be able to land on the DZ. Float your parachute as best you can, try to get your student to follow you, then pick out and land in a giant field that you believe your student can also reach. Once on the ground you can use your arms to offer a "flare" command if your student needs it, but that's not usually necessary for a student who has progressed to the coach phase. The only reference I could find to the five second rule with a quick check is in the ISP under Category "C" Emergency Procedures. That part mentions that the procedure for loss of both JM's needs to be modified for this level. Loss of stability for more than five seconds is also briefly touched on. The actual use of this rule/procedure will vary and should be reviewed with your local DZ staff. It's something to think about. Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

I like using a tandem as a first jump experience. It is the quickest and easiest way to try the sport. If that first jump is done as a real training jump it can provide tons of good knowledge, that makes the AFF first jump course a more efficient learning session. With that said, I think a tandem should be strongly encouraged by a drop zone, but I also think AFF should be an option as a first jump. That's good customer service. If you are looking for an alternate drop zone in the New York area check out the USPA drop zone locator at http://www.uspa.org/dz/index.htm Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

Seek quality instruction and supervision. The FAA requires that "paid packers" be under the supervision of a rigger. That's easy to arrange, but you should understand what it involves. I wrote a feature for Parachutist magazine a while back that outlines the specific regulations and what the FAA expects. You will find an online version listed as Article 11 "Who Can Pack A Main Parachute" at http://ranchskydive.com/safety/index.htm Packing can be hard work, but it certainly gives you a solid understanding of how a parachute works, and it places you right in the thick of the drop zone social order. Packing is a great way to pay for your skydiving habit and to get to know the other jumpers at you DZ. Have a great summer season! Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

Yeah, I make my decision based on where I'm sitting and when the door opens. I jump from Otters and our policy is that the door stays closed 'till 1,000 feet, so that's the point where, if I'm near the door, I take my belt off. If I'm sitting back by the pilot I would rather leave my belt on 'till 2,000 feet, but when the door is opened that trumps altitude and the belt comes off. Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

I don't have the exact dates with me...the logs are all at the drop zone. I do, however, remember adding an Excalibur to an old Javelin that had my new Cypres in it. The Cypres is about 11 years old. I don't have the data to speak directly to the national relationship relationship or migration from low openings to high speed canopy work, but I know how the X-cal effected my performance. Back in the day I was a real bad ass about low openings. 1,000 feet was pretty common, and frequently I'd go lower. I don't remember ever loosing a low pull contest, or passing up a challenge to dump low. Yup, I was an idiot. When I got the X-cal I was having fun with the parachute, but no longer pulled low, or at least not as low or as often. Part of the issue was that the X-cal tended to blow lines at opening, and part of it was that I was just having too much fun flying the parachute to cheat myself out of canopy time. So the concept of risk migration makes sense to me. I traded low openings for canopy excitement. It was never a complete trade, I still did a low one now or then, but by and large, the advent of a high performance parachute changed my pattern of risk. Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

That's pretty interesting. I don't think it addresses the unexplained hook turn, but the concept of migration does help to explain the reduction in low pull and no pull accidents and its relationship to open parachute accidents. I imagine some folks will scream BS, but I gotta tell you that I started doing hot canopy work at about the same time I added a Cypres and cut down on my intentional low openings. Migration...interesting Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

Seatbelts don't cost much. If you are jumping from a Cessna it only takes four belts. If the DZO is so resistant to the cost factor then take up a collection among the other experienced jumpers, or add a few dollars to the cost of a tandem, do whatever it takes to generate the funds to get those belts. You do have options. It is your life. Be creative in finding ways to keep yourself (and your friends) safe. Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

Sure you have options. Here in the United States the regulation was ignored for many years, but the deaths started piling up and eventually we began wearing the belts for our own good. You have that option too. Tell your DZO's that you want the protection of seat belts in your jump ships. If enough customers demand this inexpensive safety upgrade the DZO will respond. It is your life! Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

I think that's nope again. Look, you can try to find loopholes but the FAA feels that most jump operations should be handled by a commercial pilot. FAR 61.113 lists private pilot privileges and limitations, and there are many things that a private pilot CAN do that might otherwise be considered commercial. Flying jumpers is not on the list. One of the interesting things that a private pilot CAN do is to tow gliders under some very specific circumstances listed in part 61.113 and 61.69. Clearly the FAA has thought about what activity a private pilot may participate in and the agency has made a regulatory decision to include glider towing and exclude skydiving. Please see http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?sid=7497804f426c077bfbdf0cb1d0a16c8f&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title14/14cfrv2_02.tpl You may try to bend and twist the regulations as much as you like, and as long as the operation is not examined by the FAA you will be fine. However, if the FAA does examine the flight they will take a very dim view of private pilots flying jumpers in all but extremely limited circumstances. If you feel strongly that you have a scheme that will pass FAA scrutiny, then contact your local GADO/FSDO and ask for a supportive ruling. Otherwise use caution and leave jump operations to commercial pilot. Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

The Skydivers Handbook was been updated with a new edition earlier this year. If you pick it up, make sure the publication date is 2004. My book JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy is really targeted at people like you who haven't jumped yet, or have just made one or two jumps. I think it will be a perfect fit. My suggestion is to jump onto Amazon.com and buy both books. JUMP! will be your best read right now, and The Skydivers Handbook will serve you well once you have a couple of jumps. Somebody else suggested the USPA Skydivers Information Manual (SIM). That's a good read too, but it is pretty technical. The ISP part (Integrated Student Program) should give you a good idea of how a training program is structured, and it should help you to evaluate your own training. It's available for about 24.00 from USPA, or you can view it online free at their site: http://www.uspa.org/publications/SIM/2004SIM/SIM.htm Did I hear you say you are jumping in Vermont? Damn, I jump in New York, but Vermont is my home state! Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

Contact Bill Dause at The Parachute Center in Lodi California at 209-369-1128, or see their web page at http://www.parachutecenter.com/ Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

My DZ does have a wind meter, but I don't usually consider it super accurate, and beyond that, a meter is just one "measure" of the wind. I actually wrote a feature for the S&TA area of The Ranch web site that covers winds. It's available at http://ranchskydive.com/safety/index.htm. Click on Article 6. The story is specific to The Ranch and includes some phone numbers for local airport AWOS and ATIS recordings. Your DZ may have nearby airports with similar recorded weather...show your pilots my S&TA Feature and ask if there are numbers available to serve that function for your DZ. Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

Everybody is at risk, including the pilot, jumper, business owner, and just about any other party involved in the operation. See Article 13 (FAA Regulations Applied) at http://ranchskydive.com/safety/index.htm Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

See a report in AOPA magazine at: http://www.aopa.org/members/ftmag/article.cfm?article=1467 It's a good read about the distinctions between commercial and noncommercial operations and includes the following related to private pilots flying jumpers: Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

You are assuming the airplane is insured. Many are not, and that is especially true of Cessna jump ships. Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

Nope. The purpose of the flight for the jumpers is to get to altitude and make a jump. The purpose of the flight for the pilot is to build flight time. That is not a common purpose. A good example of a common purpose is when two friends fly from one airport to another to buy lunch together, or when several friends fly to look at the landscape. Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

I jump at an extremely busy DZ too, and we have found the 'discuss it in advance' method is a better option for us. The 'first one down' program was a mess, and our winds don't shift as much as yours. We also allow different landing directions for those who absolutely can't deal with a predetermined landing direction, but we don't want them in the main landing area. It's a sorta-rule in a no-rules environment. Our policy is spelled out in a S&TA article at: http://ranchskydive.com/safety/tb_article12.htm Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy