|
Freefall Emergencies
Accelerated FreeFall (AFF) emergencies
As you get ready to leave the aircraft, you are supposed to do a pre-exit check
to make sure that your jumpmasters are ready to exit too. If you make an error
in your exit count, you can fool your jumpmasters (JMs) into thinking that you
are about to leave and they may end up pulling you off the aircraft before you
are truly ready to go. If you leave at the wrong time in the count, you could
be taking your jumpmasters in tow. This could lead to some awkward flying if
you are not arched. You may be positioned in a reverse arch (like a cat
standing on top of a toilet bowl) which will attempt to send your butt to
earth. The exit timing depends upon you doing the exit count right so that your
jumpmasters can exit with you, not before or after you. If you find yourself
looking up at the sky or tumbling, arch hard for stability. Your jumpmasters
will be doing their best to assist you in getting back to the proper belly-to-earth
position.
AFF:Loss of one jumpmaster
If you sheared off one jumpmaster during the
exit or one let go because he was not contributing to the stabilization of the
formation, arch for stability and check with the remaining jumpmaster during
your circle of awareness. If you get a headshake of “NO,” it may mean that the
jumpmaster holding onto you is not quite comfortable with your stability at
that time. On the other hand, it may mean that he doesn’t want you to go to the
next portion of your tasks because the other jumpmaster is just about to
re-dock on the formation and he wants that jumpmaster in the correct position
before you continue with your tasks. You may or may not feel the other
jumpmaster re-dock. Whenever you get a “NO,” simply arch a bit more, wait a few
seconds, then do another circle of awareness. If you get a nod of “YES,” you
may continue on with your skydiving tasks regardless of whether or not you have
just one of both jumpmasters firmly holding onto you.
AFF: Loss of both jumpmasters
You are
in an extremely hazardous environment if you don’t have a jumpmaster holding
onto you. The moment you realize this, arch and pull immediately.
The following
emergencies apply to either AFF or S/L program freefalls. Of course, in the S/L
program, a jumpmaster might not be in the air with you during your freefall.
Five-Second Rule for loss of stability
Here’s a good rule for AFF or freefall. It is called the Five-Second Rule. If
you are out of control, attempt to regain control by arching hard for five
seconds. If you don’t recover stability by the end of that five-second period,
pull your ripcord immediately (which one depends upon your altitude). This rule
is normally taught to AFF students when they start their Level III training and
it is applicable to all freefall students.
Loss of altitude awareness
If you
can’t determine what your altitude is because you can’t see your altimeter and
you can’t see either of your jumpmasters’ altimeters, arch and pull
immediately. The worst of all situations is to go into the ground at a high
rate of speed simply because you didn’t know where you were.
Goggles
If your goggles weren’t tight,
they may come up off of your eyes and cause sight problems. You could simulate
a practice pull position and try to hold them in their proper place, but it is
probably better to end the freefall once the situation occurs. There is nothing
worse than a distraction to disorient you and cause you to lose track of time
and altitude. When in doubt, whip it out.
|
|
|
|
safety 
About 