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MarkTL

Full Face Mask

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I tried looking up this in search but kept getting an error. I completed afp course and just need my coach jumps to get my A. I wanted to know if I can use a full face mask? I have really bad sinus problem and keep getting sick every single time I jump. Is there a license requirement for full face masks?
Live life with no regrets

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I would check with your instructors. It would be up to them as they are the ones jumping with you and communicating in air with you.

Full face helmets can limit your visibility in some cases and not allow you to see your handles if the helmet is of poor design or fits wrong. You also have to deal with fogging, icing, and other issues at times.

So really this is a local DZ question that really can't be answered by the internet.
It's called the Hillbilly Hop N Pop dude.
If you're gonna be stupid, you better be tough.
That's fucked up. Watermelons do not grow on trees! ~Skymama

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Unless you think your sinus problem is somehow being caused from a direct hit of wind in your nose, I doubt a fullface helmet (not mask - those are for robbers) will do any good. Most sinus problems are caused from the change in barametric pressure associated with altitude changes. If that's your issue, forget it. A fullface won't isolate your sinus from pressure changes.
Chuck Akers
D-10855
Houston, TX

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I agree with Chuckakers above. Most sinus problems are the result of pressure change in freefall. A full face helmet does nothing to prevent that. In fact, it makes it worse since you can't pinch your nose and blow to clear your ears/sinuses in freefall.

Two points of advice.

1-perhaps Claritin or Sudafed may help. I know that sudafed is non drowsy and approved for aviation use. I'm allowed to take that at my job as an air traffic controller.

2-see a doctor and let him check you for sinus issues.

Good luck. :)

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I think there is a specialist doctor here on the forum somewhere. Didn't he do a feature on Skydive Radio about sinus issues?

EDIT: Did some hunting. I found this very informative. Look here: http://www.skydiveradio.com/shows.htm

Download episode 54. Which is described as:

Quote

8/15/2006 - Show #54 (19.8 MB, 58-minute show) -> ...with ear, nose, and throat Specialist, Dr. Stuart Selkin.



The discussion begins about 20 mins 40 secs into the show :)

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I get HUGE headaches when I jump without a full face. My theory is that the huge vein I have running through my foreheasd that sticks out when i get pissed, is allowing the blood going to my head to cool too much and give me a terrible "ice cream" type headache. Sometimes the headaches were very bad and made concentrating on piloting my canopy a little difficult. I talked to my instructor when I was a student and once I proved I could see my handles fine and hear the radio fine I was allowed to jump with a full face helmet and haven't gotten a bad headache from jumping since.

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If my sinusus are acting up they burn like hell in freefall. I used to wear one of those nose plugs made for swimmers and it worked great. I would put it on right before exit and I always got funny looks too[:/]. Now I just suck it up or stick to hop-n-pops when my sinuses are bothering me.

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I had some problems too when I first jumped. The pressure change didn't affect me at all but the wind getting shoved up my nasal cavity dried my nose out very bad and it got to the point where I would get an extremely sore throat and needed a whole bag of cough drops after a day of jumping and I was miserable

For that reason I bought a full face helmet and haven't had a single problem since :)
Oh, and I'm still working on my A and using a full face helmet, so just ask your DZ if it's ok or not

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I was told that full face helmets are now allowed until you get the A.



That may be a policy where you jump, but a quick look at USPA documentation I'm pretty sure will show no recommendation against it, and the BSR's only state a "rigid helmet" as a requirement for all but tandem students.

It's common for DZs policies to differ from the "standard" from USPA, but it's important to differentiate, especially here where people often run at the mouth and brain with misguided wisdom.
Chuck Akers
D-10855
Houston, TX

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I was told that full face helmets are now allowed until you get the A. As for sinus issues I'm not the one to talk.



That's only a BPA "rule" as far as I know. Not USPA.
SCR #14809

"our attitude is the thing most capable of keeping us safe"
(look, grab, look, grab, peel, punch, punch, arch)

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Whatever you do, just don't wear ear-plugs on the way down because then your sinuses will be very sore!



If you use soft earplugs, you could just put them in your nose.
SCR #14809

"our attitude is the thing most capable of keeping us safe"
(look, grab, look, grab, peel, punch, punch, arch)

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