Hello All,
I wanted to write this to tell everyone what happened to me on my AFF level 5 jump, in the hopes that it will help prevent others from making the same mistakes that I made.
The free-fall portion of my jump went well, and I successfully completed my maneuvers. When I deployed the pilot chute, it wrapped around my arm, causing a horseshoe malfunction. I was able to remove my arm from the entanglement, but the main chute was not properly functioning. I pulled on the risers, in the hopes that the twisted lines would correct themselves, and fully inflate my canopy, but that did not work. Instead, the twisting became worse, and I began to spin somewhat quickly.
I went through the steps that I was taught: 1) Look for my cutaway handle, and place my hand on it, 2) Locate my reserve handle, and put my hand on it, 3) Arch, pull the cutaway, then the reserve. I had trouble finding the cutaway handle though, for a couple of reasons. First, I was wearing a red jumpsuit, which was the same color as the cutaway handle, and secondly, the handle was higher up than it was while I was practicing, since the main chute was partially open. Once I located both handles, and performed the procedure, the main chute cutaway, and the reserve chute opened flawlessly.
Then, I ended up not landing on the landing zone, because apparently the reserve chute does not seem to fly quite as well as the main chute does. But, I did land on the ground, my reserve landed in the trees, and I was able to walk away from this experience unharmed, so I am VERY thankful for that.
These are the mistakes that I believe I made during the entire jump, and I have certainly learned a lot from it.
1. I had a weak pitch of my pilot chute, and I believe that I threw it more to the front of me, than to the side, or behind me. This is what caused my arm to become entangled.
2. I might have been a bit hasty to pull my reserve. I probably should have attempted other efforts to correct the malfunction, until I reached the 2500 ft altitude. Although, I do not believe that any other attempts would have been successful, but I do not know that to be 100% true.
3. Apparently, I had not managed to maintain a grip on my cutaway handle, once I had pulled it. When I reached the ground, I still had the reserve handle, but I must have let go of the cutaway handle at some point.
Anyway, I know that I was very lucky with how this jump turned out, and I have certainly learned a great deal from it. I also have more confidence that the reserve chute will deploy when needed, and that is a great feeling. I did not know at the time, but, apparently it's customary to buy the person who packed my reserve, a bottle of wine to show my thanks....I might buy him two bottles instead!
Since then, I have completed my last two AFF jumps, and have graduated.
If you happen to have any helpful feedback or advice, I'd appreciate it if you replied to this. Thanks and have a good one. Life's not permanent, don't take it too seriously! :-)
