pilot chute hesitation

[jamester28 0]

So just wanted to share a close call I had today. I have been in a static line training program. I dislocated my shoulder on my 10 sec delay two months ago (weak shoulder joint) and went in to continue my training with a prcp today... I've done 4 already so I was familiar with the procedure. Arch, reach, pull, 1 one thousand, 2 one thousand, 3 one thousand, canopy check. Well this time it went 1 one thousand, 2 one thousand, 3 one thousand, 4 one thousand 5 one thousand, 6 one thousand... nothing. I reached for silver (single handle system) and had the handle out of the velcro when the main finally deployed... I reacted instantly by stopping the pull and the yellow cutaway cable was staring me in the face about an inch short of the closing loop... I tucked the handle back in the velcro and scooted the cable up into the guide housing... kicked out of about 4 line twists and checked my 3 S's. My instructor informed me on the ground I had a pilot chute hesitation and I could've cleared it out of the burble by looking over my shoulder and they had said this before. I guess with the adrenaline running I was just thinking about getting fabric out and when I reached for the cutaway/reserve handle I broke the burble releasing the pilot chute. I was debriefed on the issue and continued on to my clear n pull an hour later which went very well. I am now very aware of what pilot chute hesitation feels like. There's a reason for the canopy check at 3 seconds... to break the burble in the event of pilot chute hesitation. Not "Wait for the line stretch and then check your canopy when you are seated in your harness". Which WAS my mindset I admit. A new lesson learned every day I guess.

[doughboyshred 0]

I guess different courses are different, but I've been taught, reach thousand, pull thousand, check thousand, arch thousand, two thousand, three thousand, four thousand, five thousand, canopy check, The first check is just a quick look over the shoulder to break the burble.

[pchapman 279]

Pilot chute hesitations are well known, so now you know what one is like.

I did like that you knew enough about your gear & were heads up enough to check the yellow cables going through the 3-ring loops. It got dangerous there, with an emergency handle that was partially pulled (even if at the time it only seemed like it had moved no more than just out of the velcro keeper). One wouldn't want an inadvertent cutaway when low.

[jamester28 0]

Well its very similar... The arch, reach, pull steps are said in cadence with the counting thereafter with a canopy check at 3... We just don't add the "thousands" between those first few... I mean some instructors say it but the rhythm is still the same. Basically I just waited for line stretch and went to silver after I realized "I should have a canopy by now" without looking over my shoulder. It was a "newbie mistake" but I learned the lesson without actually cutting away... Luckily. I just wanted to post this so maybe a student at or below my level might see it and see what can happen if you don't actually look over your shoulder. :-)

[doughboyshred 0]

I'm right there with you.

Fun shit, ain't it?

[jamester28 0]

I already have a vector 3 container with skyhook ready to go for when I get off student status and I must have read the manual 5 times. I like showing my concerned family members how it all works and have taken it apart and assembled it many many times. I already talked to my DZ's rigger and am going to watch him assemble the reserve and skyhook and pack it all up when the time comes. My DZ has some really awesome people that will answer all your questions. I love that place! Thanks for the reply!

[jamester28 0]

I wouldn't be doing it otherwise! It's a blast.

[scdiver89 0]

fellow 'boro guy here and couldnt agree more about everyone at the dz willing to bend over backwards to help a newbie

[format 1]

Quote

I wouldn't be doing it otherwise! It's a blast.

The Wild Bunch you are

What goes around, comes later.

[erdnarob 1]

Excellent attitude to go and look when your rigger is doing your rig assembly. Later on at the next reserve repack, make a simulation. Ask somebody to hold your rig fully packed (reserve and main) on the ground. Then with the cut away handle being pulled, remove the main pilot chute and simulate a cut away by pulling the main reward (in order to better peel the RSL Velcro). In a real cut away that pull is made vertically or so. Expect some resistance to first extract the main, get the rubber bands undone, get the risers protector flaps undone, to get the 3 ring release, to get the RSL peeled off, get the reserve extracted from its container and see the Skyhook coming in action.
Results:
You should finally get your main completely unhooked from the rest of the rig, the reserve out of its free bag and the free bag still attached to the Skyhook connected with the main parachute via the RSL. Isn't a nice story ?

Learn from others mistakes, you will never live long enough to make them all.

[theonlyski 3]

Quote

Excellent attitude to go and look when your rigger is doing your rig assembly. Later on at the next reserve repack, make a simulation. Ask somebody to hold your rig fully packed (reserve and main) on the ground. Then with the cut away handle being pulled, remove the main pilot chute and simulate a cut away by pulling the main reward (in order to better peel the RSL Velcro). In a real cut away that pull is made vertically or so. Expect some resistance to first extract the main, get the rubber bands undone, get the risers protector flaps undone, to get the 3 ring release, to get the RSL peeled off, get the reserve extracted from its container and see the Skyhook coming in action.
Results:
You should finally get your main completely unhooked from the rest of the rig, the reserve out of its free bag and the free bag still attached to the Skyhook connected with the main parachute via the RSL. Isn't a nice story ?

Wouldn't that load the reserve pin in almost the opposite direction from normal? (pulling down instead of up)

"I may be a dirty pirate hooker...but I'm not about to go stand on the corner." iluvtofly
DPH -7, TDS 578, Muff 5153, SCR 14890
I'm an asshole, and I approve this message

[liftedtitan 0]

I think he means have the rig on the ground, and pull the main in the direction it would normally be during deployment.

Moriuntur omnes, sed non omnes vixerunt.