Something stupid

[Skyflier 0]

Something happened yesterday that I thought I might as well share with you all; it's just a story about something that in my opinion never should have happened.
It was my 100th jump yesterday and the plan was to launch a 5-way out of a cessna 185. I was jumping with people I've jumped with on many occasions, one of them being a good mate who I jump with alot (he shall however remain nameless).
The exit was smooth and controlled; we went into a horny gorilla which ended up being in severe need of some viagra. The group broke up after the gorilla mayhem and myself, the camera-man and my mate fell away from the two girls on the load. No big deal.
After afew backloops, backflying etc the three of us went in to build a star again (about 5000ft or so) and this is when my mate flies into me, pulls my arms down, rolls underneath me and dumps me out. I was in a crap body position and completely un-aware that he was going to do this. I thought my reserve had fired. Because of the poor body position the canopy came out with line twists down to the risers which were caught around my neck. I then got the hardest opening that my sabre has dished out yet (still looks painful in slow-mo on the video). One of the girls "nearly" went into my deploying canopy and you can see her on the video tracking her arse off to get away.
Under canopy I was stunned for a second as the opening had given me a real spanking.. I didn't know if my canopy had somehow deployed prematurely or what. I got the twists out and realized my neck was in alot of pain. I have ligament damage in my neck (not real bad but a major annoyance all the same) and a nice welt on my neck from the line twists.
Could've been alot worse. I don't mean to sound soft of pedantic but the words "horse-shoe malfunction" send a shiver down my spine. I also have no desire to have someone go into my canopy while they're at terminal. Worst of all I'm not going to be able to jump again for at least a week.
My deployment system is for me only to use in freefall. If this had been pre-arranged then fine. AT LEAST the other people on the load should have known his intentions. I have no real problem risking my own life but when someone else does it for me...
We all landed safely but it could have been a real stupid way to die.

[jncoughlin 0]

Sounds to me like your "mate" needs his "arse" kicked and that the DZ should ground him. You're lucky.

[drenaline 0]

Lots of things and all of them include Ars Kicking!, you need to have a looooong talk with your mate about safety in the sky.
"Life is full of danger, so why be afraid?"
drenaline

[Lindsey 0]

Surely a 100th that you'll never forget! People can do some pretty stupid stuff.....hope you're not banged up too bad from the opening, and glad it turned out okay in the end.....and yeah....you ought to kick his ass....
Peas~
Lindsey
The empty can rattles the most

[ScottishJohn 25]

I would have kicked his arse all around the DZ for doing something so stupid. Not only did he put you at risk but also put one of your other friends at risk when she nearly went into your canopy.

I wouldn't jump with this guy again.

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If you think my attitude stinks you should smell my fingers

[freeflir29 0]

Hmmm.....I've seen this done before. However....the everyone on the dive EXCEPT the person being pulled out knew about and it was out of a very nice belly round. What happened to you doesn't sound too safe. Glad it turned out OK.

[E150 0]

What a prick.

[TequilaGirl 0]

I would kick his ass.........

[coconutmonkey 0]

I've seen this done a couple times, but it is ALWAYS a pre-coordinated event among the rest of the formation. Also, the puller needs to know the pullee well enough to know if they're going to freak in freefall (have seen guys actually try to barrel roll away after their pilot chute was out). Overall, not the safest practice in the air, but the risks can be minimized.

Hearts & Minds
2 to the Heart-
1 to the Mind-
Home of the Coconut Lounge, Spa, & Artillery Range

[tigra 0]

I agree, an ass kicking is definately in order. That was rediculous and unsafe. I've seen people get dumped out of formations for their 1000th jump, EVERYONE else on the load knows. For your 100th?? AFTER the formation turned into a zoo?? You are very lucky you or someone else was not more seriously injured! Your "mate" should be grounded until he can prove that he is not a threat to anyone else in the air.