shah269 0 #1 August 21, 2012 As a new jumper is there a comprehensive list of safety procedures one should consider when visiting a new drop zone without coming across as an annoyance? I understand that manifests are busy and people need to make a living and getting in the way of operations is impolite. However as a new jumper what do you suggest one does to ensure that they have a safe experience? Thank you in advance.Life through good thoughts, good words, and good deeds is necessary to ensure happiness and to keep chaos at bay. The only thing that falls from the sky is birdshit and fools! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChrisL 2 #2 August 21, 2012 Quote As a new jumper is there a comprehensive list of safety procedures one should consider when visiting a new drop zone without coming across as an annoyance? I understand that manifests are busy and people need to make a living and getting in the way of operations is impolite. However as a new jumper what do you suggest one does to ensure that they have a safe experience? Thank you in advance. Find an instructor, ask questions, find out the policies and procedures, find out where the outs are or any particular hazards, powerlines, farmer McNasty's, etc around the dropzone. If you cant find someone willing to answer these basic questions without getting annoyed, find another DZ __ My mighty steed Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
missbrz 0 #3 August 21, 2012 ALWAYS ask for a dropzone briefing. I ask for one if I havent been there in a few months even. Policies change, landing areas change. Always good to know the current rules to follow. Make sure you're getting it from somebody in the know too. Manifest will know who should be giving them and who shouldn't be. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davelepka 4 #4 August 21, 2012 Just ask when you sign your waiver for a DZ tour/intro from a local jumper/staff member. This will typically include the low points, like where the bathroom as and where you can pack, but it will also include the high points, things like the landing areas, the layout of the LZ, a look at an overhead pic, landing patterns, places you're not supposed to land/walk/fly, manifest procedures, aircraft loading location and procedures, and exit orders/procedures. I would be weary of any DZ that would not provide the above service to a low time jumper new to the DZ. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shah269 0 #5 August 21, 2012 So show up early and sit tight untill things get quiet in manifest. Thank you!Life through good thoughts, good words, and good deeds is necessary to ensure happiness and to keep chaos at bay. The only thing that falls from the sky is birdshit and fools! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piisfish 137 #6 August 21, 2012 and also for your "safety" make sure they don't find out you are "The Shah from DZ.com" and don't let your logbook out of sight scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davelepka 4 #7 August 21, 2012 QuoteSo show up early and sit tight untill things get quiet in manifest. Thank you! How is that what you take away from what's been posted????? Show up, go to manifest with your USPA card/license/repack card etc, and ask to waiver in. When your business with manifest is complete, ask for a DZ briefing if they haven't already called someone over to handle it. What are you sitting around for? Get in there, get your buisness done, and get to jumping. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
missbrz 0 #8 August 21, 2012 I'm with Dave on this. don't just sit there. Manifest usually doesnt do the briefing. They just tell you who to get it from or page somebody for you. It takes all of 2 seconds of their time. If you just sit quietly, you probably wont jump... Especially if you also take that mentality to the jumping itself. Once you get the briefing ask who the organizers are. Or who are jumpers that do your discipline. It's easy just dont be afraid to speak up Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fast 0 #9 August 21, 2012 QuoteSo show up early and sit tight untill things get quiet in manifest. Thank you! When on earth does it get quiet at manifest???? lol what a concept. Honestly, point your ass towards manifest / office / etc and get your jump on.~D Where troubles melt like lemon drops Away above the chimney tops That's where you'll find me. Swooping is taking one last poke at the bear before escaping it's cave - davelepka Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 16 #10 August 21, 2012 Quote Show up, go to manifest with your USPA card/license/repack card etc, and ask to waiver in. When your business with manifest is complete, ask for a DZ briefing if they haven't already called someone over to handle it. Hey Shah, what Dave said. After the briefing take a walk out the landing area and look it over. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shah269 0 #11 August 21, 2012 Quote I'm with Dave on this. don't just sit there. Manifest usually doesnt do the briefing. They just tell you who to get it from or page somebody for you. It takes all of 2 seconds of their time. If you just sit quietly, you probably wont jump... Especially if you also take that mentality to the jumping itself. Once you get the briefing ask who the organizers are. Or who are jumpers that do your discipline. It's easy just dont be afraid to speak up Thank you thank you! Life through good thoughts, good words, and good deeds is necessary to ensure happiness and to keep chaos at bay. The only thing that falls from the sky is birdshit and fools! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CSpenceFLY 1 #12 August 21, 2012 QuoteQuoteSo show up early and sit tight untill things get quiet in manifest. Thank you! How is that what you take away from what's been posted????? Show up, go to manifest with your USPA card/license/repack card etc, and ask to waiver in. When your business with manifest is complete, ask for a DZ briefing if they haven't already called someone over to handle it. What are you sitting around for? Get in there, get your buisness done, and get to jumping. I would answer this question for you but I'm not up for a banning. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GLIDEANGLE 1 #13 August 21, 2012 All of the above is good advice. Based on my bad experiences, I want to emphasize...... ALWAYS walk the landing area! (Of course, do so safely)The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shah269 0 #14 August 21, 2012 Walk as in get a visual of the potential hazards? Is there something in particular one should be looking for? Other than the obvious rocks and holes? Again thank youLife through good thoughts, good words, and good deeds is necessary to ensure happiness and to keep chaos at bay. The only thing that falls from the sky is birdshit and fools! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CygnusX-1 42 #15 August 21, 2012 Quote Honestly, point your ass towards manifest / office / etc and get your jump on. If he points his ass towards manifest, isn't he walking away from the DZ? I think you meant to say "Follow your d*ck to manifest and get your jump on." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
missbrz 0 #16 August 21, 2012 yes those but also how people set up their patterns. If you like avoiding a lot of traffic, check where the traffic is and see if there is a safe (and make sure it is acceptable) alternative. Often I'll choose a slightly longer walk over being near the bulk of the traffic. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theonlyski 3 #17 August 21, 2012 Quote yes those but also how people set up their patterns. If you like avoiding a lot of traffic, check where the traffic is and see if there is a safe (and make sure it is acceptable) alternative. Often I'll choose a slightly longer walk over being near the bulk of the traffic. It's a shorter walk from the parking lot than from our landing area. So maybe not THAT often. "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 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DocPop 1 #18 August 21, 2012 QuoteWalk as in get a visual of the potential hazards? Is there something in particular one should be looking for? Other than the obvious rocks and holes? -Other jumper's patterns. -Powerlines & other obstacles -Potential areas of turbulence -Wind indicators and direction -Areas of canopy congestion & areas where you could land away from others There are more but you get the idea...."The ground does not care who you are. It will always be tougher than the human behind the controls." ~ CanuckInUSA Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GLIDEANGLE 1 #19 August 21, 2012 While walking the LZ you should be looking for: ~ Surface problems (holes, rocks, sprinkler heads, etc). ~ Nearby obstacles (fences, trees, ditches, etc). ~ Turbulence generators. ~ LZ size. ~ Wind indicators (wind socks, flags, wind blades).The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DcloudZ 0 #20 August 21, 2012 If I may chime in with a question, what is considered a turbulence generator? How can one be spotted?"Better to have a short life that is full of what you like doing than a long life spent in a miserable way." -Alan Watts Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #21 August 21, 2012 http://www.dropzone.com/safety/Boogie_Safety/index.shtml Most of the tips in these articles will also apply to going to a new DZ generally, especially if you're going from a single-Cessna DZ to one that turns multiple turbines."There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfriverjoe 1,464 #22 August 21, 2012 QuoteIf I may chime in with a question, what is considered a turbulence generator? How can one be spotted? Anything that sticks up into the wind will generate turbulence. Trees, buildings, hills, ect. A lot of DZs have a "bad" wind direction, where there are a lot of things in one direction that will generate turbulence if the wind is blowing from there. USPA SIM 4 C. Scroll down a bit to where they talk about turbulence."There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DocPop 1 #23 August 21, 2012 QuoteIf I may chime in with a question, what is considered a turbulence generator? How can one be spotted? Anything that disrupts the flow of the wind, in the same way as a stone in a river disrupts the flow of the water. Common examples include rows of trees and buildings. Turbulence can extend vertically up to twice the height of the obstacle and downwind in excess of 10 times the height of the obstacle, depending on the strength of the wind. For example a hangar 30 feet high could create a zone of turbulence 300 feet downwind of it."The ground does not care who you are. It will always be tougher than the human behind the controls." ~ CanuckInUSA Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Divalent 106 #24 August 21, 2012 Visit their web site and see what information is available there. When was about to visit Z-hills, I was able to download their waiver form and fill it out in advance. Also, they used to have a really good DZ Overview for licensed skydivers that gave a lot of good general information (jump run directions, landing areas, policies, etc). It was about a 5 page PDF (in color, with photos, etc). But I just went to their website and I can't find it there anymore. I thought it was an excellent starting point, which complimented the orientation I got when I arrived. (It struck me as a good model for other DZ's to copy). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jrjny 0 #25 August 22, 2012 what i've learned in no particular order: Eloy who sets the pattern: - first down (yep - any sign yet?) - windsock / do what you feel like Mile Hi fences/powerlines/holes in the ground Deland anyone could jump here without any briefing just watch the runways Z-Hills lots of people landing at same time Raeford watch the spot, winds are a bit shifty/come n go nature Connecticut Parachutists When there's snow everywhere you might not find the LZ! Skydive Long Island Stay away from tandem LZ otherwise anyone could jump without a briefing Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
