Jun 27, 2011, 1:10 PM
Post #1 of 12
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Pacticing reserve pull during terminal freefall
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Who teaches students or new jumpers to practice reserve pull at terminal in freefall.
Do you think it is worth while?
Someone had to go to reserve because he could not throw out and I realize that I have never practiced reserve pull in the air. Sure on the ground and suspended in a harness, but never in the air at terminal on belly trying to be stable.
So over the last couple years I do so sometimes on solo jumps.
Of course I realize that if having to go to reserve, to pull is first even if unstable. Don't want people to think that being stable is more important than pulling.
I have practiced looking at, finding and touching my handles at terminal a few times. I believe it was recommended to me by a more experienced jumper but I can't remember who it was.
touch but better hope u dont pull accidently. Puds are a much different story then the D ring ( i wouldnt wanna touch that )
I disagree about touching.
DRings need a bit of force to come out, and then they need a good pull to activate the reserve.
Touching your handles is a good way to learn you can do it.
The worst thing that happens - you actually fire your reserve. This practice should be happening on a solo jump anyway - so even if the one in a million chance you somehow put 10+ pounds of force on your D ring to fire your reserve, nothing "too bad" will happen anyway.
I know more than one person who has had to pull their reserve at terminal - why not get used to flying in the body position required to pull that handle.
At one dz I'm at, handles touches and practice pulls are practiced by students when they are a little more advanced.
It seems a decent compromise: Students get to touch their handles in freefall, but don't do it so early in their progression that they are likely to go terribly unstable or pull a handle accidentally.
The practice pulls in freefall are introduced down the line when they transition from the student gear to the rental style gear. (Two handles rather than SOS. This applies both to PFF and traditional progression students). All novices and junior jumpers are also supposed to do a survival skills jump at the start of the season.
Practice pulls in freefall get people used to the sudden head down dip that may happen depending on arm position. They are also supposed to do a handles touch during opening during that kind of jump, as if they were having a mal on opening. It's good for checking where handles might have shifted.
Jul 2, 2011, 4:00 PM
Post #8 of 12
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Re: Pacticing reserve pull during terminal freefall
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Risks: - accidental reserve deployment - below someone too? A freebag in freefall would hurt! - ending up with a loose handle - possibly a 2 out on main deployment.
There are lots of things that could go wrong. I think practise on the ground is good - a place where it doesn't have significant risks associated with it. In general, I think safety "improvements" should be focused around what the satistics say are killing people.
Risks: - accidental reserve deployment - below someone too? A freebag in freefall would hurt! - ending up with a loose handle - possibly a 2 out on main deployment.
There are lots of things that could go wrong. I think practise on the ground is good - a place where it doesn't have significant risks associated with it. In general, I think safety "improvements" should be focused around what the satistics say are killing people.
-Michael
In will clarify my statement "praticing reserve pull" The intent is to touch your reserve handle but not practice the pull part. Can one stay stable during the reach as one would do during normal BOC throw out. I don't see this as dangerous when done on a solo jump.
I teach 3 handle in-sequence touch in freefall as a drill after AFF and before A-license. My first reserve ride was a total (PC handle pulled off the PC due to tight PC pouch) and obviously had to pull the reserve at terminal.
My reserve handle is a steel D-ring and from time to time I'll reach and touch it. So far, it's always been right where I expect it to be. Which came in handy when I had a PCIT mal back in January.
The Breakaway DVD recommends 'touching' all your handles when in freefall to learn where they are located whilst belly to earth.
There is footage in the DVD showing a skydiver doing this.
I tried it once and think its a good idea. Not just to reassure yourself that you can find your handles, but also that you can remain stable when doing so. Remember the first thing you should do is 'look' for your handles.
Its better to to try touching your handles whilst high up, rather than at pull height with a total malfunction.
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