fcajump

MOst places say max weight is 225lbs. That was the easy thing for me as TI... I weighed more than 1/2 of the suspended max on my SET400, so they could not out weigh me. Unfortunately that did not rule out all those who were not in shape for this sport. Jim Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

In addition to other very good ideas mentioned... Custom embrodery when getting new gear. Also, things you can do to help get it back if it is lifted... Keep a detailed list of all parts (your rigger can help you get serial numbers) Keep a photo of the rig Have your rigger tag your reserve and/or AAD with your contact information. As a rigger I do check lost gear lists, keep a full inventory of my customer's gear and make contact with former owners when I find ID's on the inside. Jim Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

To paraphrase a skydiver I used to know after she rigged up a skydiving canopy for parasailing... "the last thing I remember was hearing something go 'twang'..." Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

I like several of the ideas suggested and think my reply would be (not having faced this... yet...) * Indicate "forged" on each line as applicable * Remove the current seal and unpack the system * Inform the local DZ that this jumper seems to have a problem with honesty (liability for the pilot if no one else) * Pass the word with local riggers that this jumper is a bad seed. * Return the unpacked system to the owner with my recommendation that he find someone else to service his gear. Preferably in that order. Jim Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

My instruction (and practice when I was TI) was to do a complete systems check after openning, then loosen the laterals (disconnect, loosen, then reconnect) Strong w/ old style harness. I was also known for a very snug fitting harness, and did NOT allow the student to loosen the leg straps. OK, I'm mean, but loosing someone out of the harness was always my greater concern over comfort. Just my $.02 JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

But that's not really its goal. It's intended to replace the height weight chart in an easy metric. The failings is in using that 25.0 threshold on active people. But above 30, you can tell very quickly visually if it's bad or good. The answer I tried to get out of a couple physicians and failed was is body fat all that matters, or is it still disadvantageous to walk around with an extra 30-40 lbs of muscle mass. And while I have basis on which to say whether 30-40 extra pounds of muscle is good or bad for overall health, it makes a tremendous difference to me as the TI whether that prospective tandem student has 30-40 lbs of extra muscle or extra fat... J Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

And I agree with you. More over I believe it is the job of the TI to do that evaluation on every prospective student (physical shape, condition, mental faculties, etc...)... more so on those of us outside of the "normal" range. As to my relative fitness, 1) no. and 2) not really. We've both jumped (her 8 jumps at 125-lbs and fit) and my 1100 jumps ranging from 220 to 240. (sure would like to see that 220 or less again.. ;-) My point is that the BMI puts both of us on the same scale (as we are both the same height) and yet there is no differentiation for the additional 6" of shoulder width or bone structure. In my experience, it is a poor indicator of fitness. Just my $.02 and others will disagree. Still do think we need to develope guidelines that let in the folks that can participate safely and discourage those outside the safe range... Jim Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

The following came in from PIA and USPA (reprinted verbatum) ----------------------------- please address any replies to President@PIA.com SKYDIVER / DROPZONE / INDUSTRY ALERT May 31, 2006 JOINT STATEMENT FROM THE U.S. PARACHUTE ASSOCIATION AND THE PARACHUTE INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION Within the last seven months there have been two U.S. tandem fatalities in which the student/passenger has fallen out of the harness upon opening shock. Reportedly in one case the person went under the back strap and in the other, over the back strap. As circumstances of these two fatalities are being examined by multiple parties, it is imperative that tandem instructors and safety personnel examine and review tandem harness fitting and adjustment procedures available from the manufacturers. Schools and centers with tandem operations should review tandem adjustments for varying body types while simulating opening positions/sequences on the ground to ensure a full understanding of potentially hazardous body shifting which can occur during freefall and opening. Tandem manufactures should examine their respective systems to ensure that unusual opening attitudes, varying body sizes/shapes, and recommended instructor procedures will provide student/passenger security within the harness, particularly during the opening sequence. ----------------------------- Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Did read it carefully. And I very much agree that we need a method... But the BMI would put me as questionable, when I am fit to jump (and was this weight as a TI), and my wife would be "fine" and yet is not fit to jump... The problem with general guidelines is that once given to the public (or non-instructing manifest personnel) is that people take them as absolutes. Fit people turned away, unfit people still in line to go... Mind you, you've presented an idea to work with... where-as, as much as I have contrary examples, I have no specific idea other than 100% reliance upon the judgement of the TI. While this is great, it is heavily influenced by inappropriate factors (money, management's money, out-of-shape friends/family, etc...). I commend you on your suggestion... just concerned about how I think it would be (literally) implemented. You've also done one other very good thing here... you've gotten the discussion going. Maybe someone here has better ideas or refinements? Thanks Karenmeal! Blue skies and soft landings, Jim Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

As a former TI, and one who VERY much wants a good answer for this, I must agree with those that discount the BMI... My wife and I are both 5'9". She has a slender build and we both agree that she really needs to loose weight and get in shape... She weighs 165... BMI: 24.4 - "normal" I have a very large frame, however I do NOT work out. While I have lost some weight this year, I jumped for several years without issue at 240... BMI: 35.4 - "obese" (while I would still like to loose some weight, it is generally considered that I would be pushing unhealthy if I got below about 190... still a BMI of "overweight") So, at least in my mind, just with my wife and I as examples, I see the BMI as somewhat useless. BUT!! This does not mean there isn't an answer... and the non-TI's that work at manifest, and our promotional material (web sites, etc) needs some guidelines to tell people that the couch potato needs to stay home and watch the video. I know that my greatest fear as a TI and rigger is to be even remotely responsible for someone else's bad day. Best hopes to all... keep brain-storming until we have no more issues... we can always do better!! Jim Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Might have missed it, but have you had someone check the line trim on the canopy? (Use PD's method to check it correctly.) Check the trim, fix the bridle, watch your gear, careful in packing and enjoy. Jim (~400 jumps on my Spectre 230) Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

A deadly one. (Just a quess would be something from RI... but not sure with the lateral design...) JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

I jump a Vector II and my other rig was a Vector I. KNOWING the risks, and maintaining my own gear (rigger), I occasionally sit-fly... BUT, if you are serious about freeflying or less than exacting about your maintanence and packing, get a rig designed for it. There are many better designs for "modern" flying, including the Vector III. Jim (currently deciding on my next rig, partially for THIS exact reason.) Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

I've had two out (fortunately no down-plane) and it was not from an AAD fire... a pilot-chute in tow turned into a slammed opening as I had hooked the handles. Shook me hard enough that I dislodged the reserve handle... As to disconnecting the RSL: on my rig, it was not an issue, but on some rigs is it an act of prevention but on others it is an ABSOLUTE before cutting away from a double due to the configuration. KNOW YOUR GEAR! If you don't, talk with your rigger or manufacturer. Students (or newbies) review this with your instructor on ANY rig you jump. Jim Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

On the other hand, some of us (even guys) are built such that seeing an out-board MLW handle is hard without breaking their arch... and ROL or BOC... (for me) forget it... not until we install rear-view-mirrors Jim (And I still believe that even if you like to look, you should also be able to find, identify, and pull all handles by feel even when the harness has shifted. Makes it easier when the cause of your emergency also included a bloody nose or loss of goggles.... just a thought...) Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Glad to hear your situation came out ok... good you had the canyon. I don't remember where I read it, but a few years back read of a similar situation without a handy canyon and several of the jumpers did not get open in time. I would suggest that given the canyon you were effecitvely at 2000' AGL... This sounds more like a reasonable time to bail-out of a C-182... Thanks for the reflections for us to consider! Jim Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

My student rig (Hartwood, VA 1990) was setup that way... SOS handle on the inboard left MLW, main ripcord w/ Martin-Baker handle outboard on the right MLW. Older setup, works just fine for its own setup, but most instructional sites are moving away from it because it REQUIRES significant practice to transition to BOC handle location. JW PS - I pack for a former US Army Golden Knight XO who has a conventional cutaway handle inboard, and a main ripcord outboard on his right MLW... He has the exact same setup on each of his 5 year old Javelins (custom order)... Its what he learned and does NOT want to change his procedures after all these years. And why should he? Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

I was taught on this style system, but as the cut of the rigs placed the ripcord handle low on my chest it would have seriously broken my arch to see it. I just learned to know the handle by feel. I believe the seeing the handles is a good idea but should not be relied upon. There will come a day when your goggles slip or something else keeps you from seeing them. (I also teach pilots to practice both ways as they usually will not see the handle without goggles.) My $.02 is to practice both ways. HOWEVER, I AM NOT YOUR instructor, talk to him/her/them about ANY advice you read here. Blue ones, Jim Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Actually, there is a push to get mfg's to finger-trap a loop at the location where the want the toggle. The toggle could then be installed/removed easily enough as needed, but the set point would be factory determined. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

First - what Dino said. Second - even if endless practice doesn't make you better, it will remove the "new" from the canopy, which makes it a little easier. PATIENCE!! J Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

I used to (and still do ) over analise things... On a similar student jump (hanging exit on a C-182) I looked at the wing and counted "ready-set-go" and just as I let go decided to adjust my body-position... but had already let go... My instructor said it looked like I was trying to swim back up to the strut!! After a second I recovered and just kept on with the dive laughing at myself. Tips: KNOW your gear (mental comfort) Plan your dive step-wise Execute each step one at a time 1/2 way through step 5 you will realize you are in freefall having a blast!! We all went through it, you will be with the rest of us shortly. Blue ones! Jim Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

or...just ride your f-ed up mal down to a resonable altitude and then chop it. probably find your main, free bag and all that other good stuff Yea... sounds like a good idea...

Not true, and you are unable to cite any such federal law. Mark Unless it is specified in the STC, then it would be in violation of the STC and therefore an FAR violation... But as I have never actually read the STC's, I don't know if it is in there... (See the other related thread on this question) Jim Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

READ CAREFULLY... All but the first and last answers ASSUME the observer wears a parachute (PEP or Sport rig). I have seen it HOTLY debated as to whether or not observers should be next to the door (also varies with aircraft) and whether or not they should keep their belt on with the door open. The later argument seemt to focus on two schools of thought: 1. just like the pilot, our observers wear an emergency 'chute and just like the pilot they should be strapped in to avoid falling out. 2. just like the pilot, our observers wear an emergency 'chute, BUT with the chance of an inadvertant deployment we don't want them strapped in while the door is open. What does your DZ/experience tell you? Jim Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Only variation I would mention to this was at one DZ where they did not have spare PEP's, so they used a student rig with the main PC shoved way in and briefed the observer to only use the reserve. Personally, I got a great kick out of doing a back-flip off the step after talking with the observer from the step... Its as close to directly involved as they can get without getting out.!! Though you have reminded me of another related thread I had wanted to start... JW JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...