tombuch

USPA Basic Safety Regulations: D. AGE REQUIREMENTS 1. For jumps with a single harness, dual parachute system, skydivers are to be at least, either: a. 18 years of age b. 16 years of age with notarized parental or guardian consent. 2. For jumps with a tandem parachute system, skydivers are to be at least the age of legal majority. The specific BSR applies to all skydivers and is independent of any license, In fact, all jumps used to qualify for a USPA license must be made in compliance with all FAR's and BSR's. The BSR regarding age can only be waived by the full Board of Directors. Tom Buchanan Instructor (AFF, SL, IAD, Tandem) S&TA Author JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

Ah yes. Been there done that, back in the 80's. I had excess line wrap around the locking stow (on a deployment strap) causing a very nice streamer. It was an easy malfunction to identify and cut away. That was the end of the packing strap and freestowed lines for me. When I began BASE jumping in the early 80's free stowing lines was considered a reasonable way to speed the opening. That morphed into rubberbanding the lines as free stows in the container, then the rubber bands were attached to the container. Finally, tail pockets came into play. Don't try free stowing your lines. It has been done before, and it really doesn't work. Tom Buchanan Instructor (AFF, SL, IAD, Tandem) BASE 128 Author JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

A great film package is called "Good Stuff" by Joe Jennings. You can pick up a copy from many skydiving retailers, or directly from Joe at http://joejennings.com/GS.htm Tom Buchanan Author JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

The four page card is designed for drop zones that use the Integrated Student Program (ISP) as defined in the Skydivers Information Manual (SIM). The two page card is for drop zones with their own programs that cover the ISP material in a different way or sequence. Either card is fine, and in any case, you should be mastering all the material in the ISP. Please take a few moments to read the ISP program on pages 21-97 of the SIM. Pay special attention to the oral test questions at the end of each category, and if you haven't been exposed to the material pressure your instructor to teach the topic. Tom Buchanan Instructor (AFF, SL, Iad, Tandem) Author JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and easy Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

It's a common problem, especially with experienced skydivers jumping tiny mains packed into tiny containers. There is often not enough room available for a reserve to meet the recommended size for the jumpers weight. As an S&TA I like to discuss that issue with beginners when I learn of it, and likewise discuss it when I know somebody is looking to buy a rig with a small reserve. I don't really bother discussing it with jumpers who have lots of experience because they have the ability to self evaluate those kinds of issues. It is an important issue that should be addressed by dealers when the gear is being sold, but it probably isn't in many cases. Tom Buchanan Instructor (AFF, SL, IAD, Tandem) S&TA Author JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

There are probably big differences in safety performance, but we will never have detail about that because none of the manufacturers of skydiving-specific helmets provide any safety test data. The only helmets marketed in our sport that have been independently tested for safety are made by Pro-Tec. So, if you are buying a helmet to keep your head warm, or to look cool, try a few of the skydiving lids. If you are looking for safety, don't bother with our industry. Tom Buchanan Author JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

You will probably not get caught, but if you do, I think you already understand there is a clear violation. The FAA can bring action against any entity involved in the parachute operation, including the DZ. Please see my discussion of part 105.3 at: http://ranchskydive.com/safety/tb_article13.htm. This was written as an S&TA feature of The Ranch webs site last summer. Tom Buchanan Instructor (AFF, SL, IAD, Tandem) Commercial Pilot (IAMSEL,G) Author JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

Agreed, but I would also say the better FLYER may well be the guy with 6 months of more intense experience. I think experienced instructors are probably more aware of the difference time in sport makes than are non-teaching skydivers, at least with regard to judgment and decision making. Tom Buchanan Instructor (AFF, SL, IAD, Tandem) Coach Course Director Author JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

I had three out under a general anesthetic and didn't feel like doing anything for about three days. I stayed on the ground for about a week. In my case the extraction was pretty rough. Speak with your dentist and discuss the pressure change involved in skydiving. He should be able to give you a good medical answer. Then use your best judgment regarding how you feel in the days following surgery. Tom Buchanan Author JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

Full time Instructors are not employees, they are independant contractors. Saves the DZ money. I'm not sure I agree with that assessment. Hook is correct that many drop zones hire their instructors as independent contractors to avoid paying employment taxes and avoid offering insurance (including basic workers compensation protection). Yet, I think in many cases the designation of IC could be successfully challenged by DOL or IRS. Small drop zones that only operate part time will probably qualify for independent contractor hiring, but larger full time drop zones probably won't. In many cases the DZ sets the schedule, provides all the clients and prohibits the instructor from soliciting business independently. Most large drop zones provide the equipment used (tandem rigs, student gear, etc), set the instructor schedule, establish customer prices, restrict the instructor's ability to work for a competing drop zone, and provide "direction and control" of the operation. The use of IC's is an interesting issue ripe for challenge. There are key points that the government looks at, and by most of those measures a "full time" instructor is probably an employee, not an independent contractor. Tom Buchanan Instructor (AFF, SL, IAD, Tandem) Author JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

I've got to fall on Hooks side with this one. There is no doubt the standards have fallen. The first category, as discussed by Hook is AFF. The new AFF-I's are far less skilled than were new instructors in years past. That standard has dropped by a mile. Further, 'back in the day' a new AFF instructor would generally work the second slot on dozens of real student level 1-2-3 dives with a top notch instructor, and that real world in-the-sky mentoring made him a better instructor, faster. Today, we have new AFF-I's doing single instructor dives with beginning students who have made only tandems up to that point, and they are doing it as soon as they have their ratings...that happened to a small degree before, but now it's the norm. Likewise, on the tandem side, that rating used to require an AFF-JM or SL-I (with a year of experience). Now it just requires a coach rating, and that just requires a simple almost-anybody-can-pass weekend course. New tandem I's often don't know how to teach, don't want to teach, and can barely fly. I've spoken with many tandem evaluators and several long term AFF evaluators, watched the courses, and flown with graduates. There is no question the standards have been lowered. We have, however, improved the curriculum, and the equipment is much better and safer, so there is a balance that may favor the student. I'd rather we left instructor standards high taken the advantages of improved courses and equipment to further improve the training program. As for the reason, Hook hit clear. DZO's don't want to raise pay rates so they pressure USPA to reduce standards, thereby increasing the supply of instructors and keeping their rates low. All I can do is shake my head. Tom Buchanan Instructor (AFF, SL, IAD, Tandem) Coach Course Director Safety and Training Advisor Author, JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

Not exactly what you are looking for, but it does break USPA members down by total jump number (not licenses): http://uspa.org/about/images/memsurvey02.pdf. Tom Buchanan Author JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

I think they do it because of politics. My hunch is that most of the assertive jumpers at those DZ's are freeflyers, and they just want to be near the door where it is cooler and there is more space. Your best bet is to tell them you plan to open high and would rather be out after the lower opening flatflyers. Hopefully they will understand that, but of course you are then obligated to actually open where you say you will. At my home DZ we want our flat flyers out first but allow freeflyers to get out first as long as they negotiate the issue with the flatflyers and everybody is OK with it. I generally open at 2,000 feet, so no matter what I'm doing I want to be out first (unless I'm playing with a higher opening partner), and most people at the DZ know I have the experience to stay out of their airspace, so it usually isn't a problem. So, talk it up with the others as best you can. Tom Buchanan S&TA Instructor (AFF, SL, IAD, Tandem) Author JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

It sounds like you had a kinda cool hop and pop, but probably not all that unusual. As others have said, hop and pops are different. I'm betting your actual delay time was probably a bit less than you think, and airspeed was pretty low. I'm guessing you were probably also hyper-alert. I enjoy hop and pops and sometimes feel the terror of a pilot chute hesitation just like you. It always makes me smile! My response (automatic) is to wiggle my butt a bit and then bang the container with my elbows. That probably doesn't do anything much, but it keeps me occupied. I did need to reach back and pull the bridle/pin on a CRW exit once, but that's super unusual and NOT recommended at your level. So, enjoy the sensation of a low speed exit and the occasional pilot chute hesitation. Wiggle if you like, but otherwise don't sweat it as an emergency until you freefall for a while or reach your hard deck. Tom Buchanan Instructor (AFF, SL, IAD, Tandem) Author JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

Dude skydiving is as safe as the skydiver on the skydiver. Statistically you will find that the same idiots who get killed in motor vehicle accidents would be killed if they where skydiving. That's true of skydiving as well as SCUBA diving, bike riding, skiing, snowboarding, driving, etc. Within each activity there are risk takers, and those are the people who are most likely to get hurt or killed. We DO have some control over the risk we are exposed to, but in every sport or activity there is a margin of uncontrolled risk too. If we look at WHO gets hurt and killed we will see a pattern. In skiing/snowboarding it is generally a male between 15 and 30, and generally a mid-experienced rider pushing his own limits. I think we see the same pattern in skydiving and in just about every sport. When we compare sports we see the same distribution of injuries/fatalities, and in each case the dead guy had some control over the outcome. You can say that you are an experienced skydiver and thus "it" won't happen to you, but experienced skiers and snowboarders are saying exactly the same thing. Death happens to skydivers with much greater frequency than to skiers or in just about any other activity. I stand by my position that skydiving as a sport is MUCH more dangerous than skiing/snowbording, and many other high risk activities, and to say otherwise is a denial of the facts. Tom Buchanan USPA Instructor (AFF, SL, IAD, Tandem) USPA Safety and Training Advisor FAA Senior Parachute Rigger FAA Commercial Pilot AASI Snowboard Instructor Author JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

That's just not true. I've done the research and addressed this question about a thousand times. It bugs me when skydivers insist the sport is safe...It's not. Here are some quick numbers from the National Ski Area Association (NSAA): Domestic skiing and snowboarding had 45 fatalities in 2001 with 10.7 million participants. That's 4.21 fatalities per million participants, or roughly .83 fatalities per million days of participation. USPA estimates that about 300,000 people make at least one skydive in the USA each year and we average about 32 fatalities. That's 1 fatality for every 9,375 participants, or 106.66 fatalities per million participants. There are only about 34,000 USPA members, and not all are active, so most jumpers are tandem, yet tandem fatalities are very rare, and in fact, only 14-16 percent of fatalities are students of any kind. If we strike 5 fatalities from the total (that's roughly 15 percent) we are left with 27 deaths among the 34,000 USPA members who are presumably all experienced jumpers. That's one fatality per 1,259 member jumpers, or 794 fatalities per million members. If we go back to the 300,000 participants and assume that each jumps on 10 different days as an average (tandem and experienced, it's just a round number guess and it's probably high), then we have 3 million jumper days per year. The 32 fatalities represent one death for every 93,750 days of participation, or 10.66 fatalities per million days of jumper participation. Each jumper has control over many factors that impact fatalitiy rates, as does every skier and snowborder. Yet, the numbers show clearly that skydiving isn't even close to skiing/snowboarding safety. Tom Buchanan USPA Instructor (AFF, SL, IAD, Tandem) Snowboard Instructor (AASI) Author JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

This site is a compilation of the 50 most recent NASA reports involving skydiving operations. It's an interesting read and can be found by clicking http://asrs.arc.nasa.gov/report_sets/parachute.pdf -tom buchanan Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

Think big to small. Let me take you away from the drop zone for a minute. Imagine you are looking at a map of the United States and you need to find the tiny town of Driggs Idaho. You would start by knowing Idaho is along the Rocky Mountains, so you would begin by finding that part of the country on the map, then find Idaho, then look in the general area where Driggs should be (alongside Wyoming). Try the same process when looking for your drop zone from the air. Look for a really big landmark like a special shaped lake, a mountain, river, odd farmers field, etc., then follow that to smaller landmarks until you find your landing area. At my current DZ I start by finding a river, use that to find a baseball field, then trace that back to the landing area. At a previous drop zone I looked for a square wooded area with a notch that was big enough to see and unique, then looked to the right of that for the tiny grass runway. Your local instructors will help you identify the big stuff and then route your eyes to the little things. It's not usually difficult, but it takes some training in local landmarks and a bit of practice. Tom Buchanan Author JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

Where did you get that number? ZZ says it is 1:42,000, so I am just curious. The fatality rate expressed in terms of JUMPS is a tough number to verify. It requires that we know how many fatalities there were over a given period, and also how many jumps were made. We do know how many fatalities there are, but jump numbers are estimates based on drop zone, equipment manufacturer, and jumper reports compiled by USPA and FAI. The best number I was able to come up with was a fatality rate of 1:70,130 jumps as reported by USPA for the year 2000. There were 32 fatalities reported that year with an estimated 2, 244,165 domestic skydives. Data reported by FAI varies considerably, but numbers tend to be in the 1:70,000 - 1:100,000 range. The FAA used a TANDEM fatality rate between 1991 and 1996 of 1:83,838 to justify removing the tandem exemption in part 105 and making tandem a regular part of the regulation. The FAA data reported by the manufacturers showed tandem risk was pretty much in line with the risk of regular student jumps at the time. Tandem fatality rates have decreased considerably in the years since those numbers were generated. So, based on my research, the best answer would be between the number you have from ZZ, and the number reported by Kramer. The other easy number to generate is fatalities based on USPA members. Domestic fatalities between 1991 and 2000 averaged 32.8, while USPA membership for those same years averaged 29,646.6. So, using those 10 year averages yields a fatality rate of 1:903 members. The numbers for the year 2000 are actually much better, with 34,217 members and 32 fatalities, yielding a fatality rate of 1:1,069 members. If we graph the ten year data we see the fatality numbers bouncing up and down while USPA membership over the period shows a steep and consistent climb, so the data for the year 2000 are probably a good reflection of current risk levels. If we look closely at those numbers we can identify about 14-16 percent as student issues, and some of those students are not USPA members. Likewise, most of the actual people making jumps each year are students. The USPA estimates that about 300,000 people make at least one jump in the USA each year, but with only about 34,000 members of the organization it's pretty clear most of the participants are students. With that said, at my busy turbine drop zone students only take about 10-20 percent of the slots, so while most participants are single visit students, most jumps are made by USPA members. Risk is a confusing issue, but one that interests most jumpers and students. It's covered well in Parachuting: The Skydivers Handbook and my book, JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy -tom buchanan Tom Buchanan Author JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

It's not really advertising. The original poster had a question and I offered an answer, then directed her to more information. She's in the dark and I provided a light! One of the toughest things about trying to figure our sport out is just finding sources of information. I actually wrote the book (umm, what's it called...umm, umm, gosh, it's on the tip of my tongue, umm, umm, gee I forget) after speaking with students around the DZ and reading tons of posts from beginners begging for information. Hey, when you hear a question. provide an answer, then offer additional sources of information. My book is a good one for the never-ever crowd and those who have made a tandem or two. Parachuting: The Skydivers Handbook is a good book for jumpers with a bit more experience, and the USPA SIM is ideal for students and just about any other jumper. Likewise, there are tons of web sites that offer answers to the questions we know beginners are begging to ask. So, become an electrician and turn the light on! Share knowledge and offer those sources. Oh, and hey, I just remembered the name of my book.....oh wait, I forgot again. Tom Buchanan Author JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

Statistics are somewhat tough to quantify and qualify, but I've tried to do that in a book called JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy, published by McGraw-Hill earlier this year. The short answer is that skydiving, tandem or otherwise, is risky and you could be killed or injured. With that said, the actual numbers aren't all that terrible. When tandem skydiving was approved by the FAA they listed statistics gathered between 1991-1996 that showed one tandem fatality for every 83,838 jumps, about the same as regular skydiving at the time. Since then tandem jumping has become much safer, with as many as 540,000 domestic tandems made between reported fatalities . In fact, data from the United States Parachute Association (USPA) suggests that 66 percent of all student jumps are tandem, but fatalities in the tandem program have become extremely unusual. Another way to look at it is to use USPA data suggesting that about 300,000 people make at least one skydive in the USA each year, and there are roughly 34,000 USPA members. Thus, most people who make jumps are not members and are probably students, and most students make only one or two tandems. So, the bulk of the skydivers are actually tandem students, but fatal accidents remain rare. There are plenty of dropzones in Florida, and most are pretty good. You can find a list with the link in an earlier post, or visit http://uspa.org/about/index.htm. This is a page produced by USPA to help answer beginner questions and it has a link to a listing of all USPA affiliated centers. You might also think about picking up my book, JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy. It is directed at folks like you who have questions about the sport and wonder how to select or evaluate a student training program. JUMP! includes a list of key questions you can use when calling drop zones for information, and it will help you to sort out all their answers and filter the hype. JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy is available at many book stores, and also at places like Amazon.com. In fact, I think Amazon has it for 30 percent off the 14.95 cover price. Hey, have fun on your skydive in January! Tom Buchanan Instructor (AFF, SL, IAD, Tandem) Author JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

It sounds like you have done super well so far and probably don't need an instructor on your next skydive. With that said, if you are nervous about it, then hire an instructor for a low key, no pressure, no TLO's jump with your new gear. There is nothing in the rule book that says you MUST make the next jump solo. I like jumping alone and always have, and I'll bet you will too, but it obviously won't be fun if you are so nervous. Another couple of jumps with an instructor might be just what you need to "make it to the next level." Have fun...that's what it's all about. Tom Buchanan Instructor (AFF, SL, IAD, Tandem) P.S. If you get back to at Square One, see if they will let you take a look at my book, JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy. It has a great chapter about Psychology that might help, and it's short enough that you may be able to read it in the store. Other books that might help include Parachuting: The Skydivers Handbook (Poynter/Turoff) and Mental Training For Skydiving and Life (DeRosalia). Mental Training is thin book that is really targeted at teams, but there is tons of great information about learning to relax and take command of your life. I just re-read Mental Training last week and was blown-away by how fresh and useful the information is, even after reading it several times. Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

We have had the same problem at The Ranch and our Master Parachute Riiger was told to just "bend them back" by Relative Workshop. That sounded fishy to me so I checked with RWS and they repeated the same direction to me. I hate the idea, but if that is what the manufacturer says, then so be it. -tom buchanan Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

Ah, the frustrations of learning to teach! Good effort Jason, and a good lesson for you too. Spend some time practicing your teaching, then spend some time actually teaching. You will get better pretty quickly, and will be learning a lot from your students. If you have a chance, watch other people teach packing and ask the "teacher" to give you some tips. There are standard stumbling blocks and anybody who is really good at teaching has fallen over most of them at one point or another. Tom Buchanan Instructor (AFF, SL, IAD, Tandem) Author, JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

Is there a separate ISP other than the one in the SIM? I downloaded the SIM for free and assumed the ISP in it was the only ISP. My bad, sorry. I meant the IRM (Instructional rating Manual) should be a free download. -tb Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy