AFFI

Would you plese provide us with a copy of your proposal so we can better understand?

Yes, I have been in that exact same scenario, more than once, and so have students I have trained. Correct, this is what a premature brake release LOOKS like. That is unfortunate, that means that you are potentially unwilling to further your education as to how to properly deal with situations that can and will arise while skydiving. I would implore you to reconsider, and become willing to further you training and education. Glitch is correct, I was not bashing the decisions or actions you decided to make but rather making an observation about the skydiving community that I have been exposed to. Furthermore, Glitch is correct that the written word is impersonal and can easily be misinterpreted. I apologize if I came across as being critical or condescending, that is not my intention… In the scenario you were presented with and the actions you decided to take, you were correct in what you did. This is what the education and training you have acquired thus far has taught you to do. I am informing you that there is much more education available for you to learn how to deal with various situations that you have yet to acquire, that is why it is important to continue to train after acquisition of the “A” license. This is a notion that I routinely suggest to other skydivers regardless of their jump numbers and I always offer to share my knowledge with other skydivers (off student status). If you wish, I have some very good training tutorials on dealing with malfunctions I am always willing to share with others that may further their understanding of the fundamentals of dealing with such issues. Just PM me if you are eager to learn more. Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

When I made my first jump, honestly, I was under the impression that skydiving produced many more fatalities annually than what really takes place. All of the students I have trained seem to have that same notion. We are jumping out of airplanes from miles above the surface of the planet with only a few pounds of fabric in which to survive. We even sign waivers that clearly indicate there are inherent dangers associated with skydiving. In addition to this, before making a first tandem, there is even a video we show all students that discuss and inform them as to the inherent dangers in skydiving. That being said, wouldn’t just about any sensible individual consider skydiving highly dangerous? It does not take a genius to figure this out. The first time I witnessed someone perish (it seems as if it were only yesterday) it was a person who was warned by others that the approach they were taking to learning high performance landings was too rapid and they were cautioned to slow down their progression but they did not listen and paid the ultimate price. This was an event I did not enjoy watching, but it really taught me that the potential consequences that attempting high performance landings can carry and made me a better mentor and instructor to emphasize safety as the first and utmost priority above all else. Accidents like this happen so rarely compared to the frequency that normal uneventful landings occur. Most skydivers do not have the opportunity to witness such a tragedy that will encourage them to make safety a priority, which is why we discuss such incidences so the learning can take place on a broader scale amongst the skydiving community. I most certainly do not intend any disrespect to the survivors of fallen skydivers and I strongly suspect that others have no such intention either. What we are attempting to do is to illustrate possible hazards to those who have yet to obtain a deep respect for the inherent dangers associated and the importance of allowing others to mentor us to the safe end of the spectrum of the activities we all willingly participate in. If it grieves you so deeply to read the opinions of those who feel the need to discuss this incident for whatever reason, then why not decide to subject yourself to such lines of communication less? I am truly and sincerely sorry for your loss, and are in my prayers… Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Great approach - do you remember this list? Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

You are totally correct! Reviewing the poor attitude this skydiver had, his unwillingness to accept sensible advice coupled with the invincible attitude really puts in perspective how shutting oneself off to the viewpoints of others (more experienced) can be detrimental. Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

I do not understand the point of making belittling statements concerning cereal boxes. Throw the first stone if you are perfect and are never subject to make a mistake oh almighty one. Why not just offer this instructor advice as to how to make himself a better instructor as he so humbly requested in the OP? Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

No, that is not exactly what was said in context. More accurately: FUNDAMENTALS... What every skydiver should know... Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Good evaluations... Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

I am amazed how often skydivers, well past the acquisition of the “A” license experience a premature brake release and do not know how to handle the situation. This is a testament that skydivers discontinue training after they get off student status. Honestly, when I had low jump numbers (zero to a few hundred) I did not know how to handle this situation either. It was really the experienced mentors that I finally started listening to that had a major influence on me to take training more seriously. The sole reason a skydiver does not know how to handle a situation as rudimentary as a premature brake release is a lack of interest in their own survival in this sport. Hopefully these types of experiences will encourage sport jumpers who make errors based in fundamentals to reevaluate their dedication to training. Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Very cool! That is almost as cool as you asking for advice, and not a bunch of hundred jump wonders offerin deir advice cauze dey got it all figgured out... Very freakin cool indeed… Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Is it an indoor packing area? If is an indoor packing area, then there is the second hand smoke issue, if it is outdoor, then you are over reacting, stay upwind. Like many others have stated, a small cig burn will not cause you to burn in (there’s a pun) - I have only been skydiving for 10 years, but have yet to jump somewhere where smoking is allowed in the packing area - so to me that is just weird. I am with the aforementioned kick in the ass is someone got near my gear with a lit cigarette. Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

when the canopy hits a 120 MPH wind, do you think that really makes a difference?

I started at 20...

I drive 5 hours round trip to the DZ I jump at - there are closer DZs, but it is worth the drive to go where I am the safest... Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

I do not totally understand this statement. It was close enough that we should not have been there? Are you talking about horizontal separation at exit time? Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Outstanding! It is great to hear that practicing and becoming proficient at canopy piloting skills paid off for you as did retaining situational awareness even though you were so close to completion of your landing. Just a few simple maneuvers and remaining aware turned a potential tragedy into a great testimonial and learning experience. Anger: You have touched on an important aspect of working with others with the primary goals being learning and safety. After having such a close call, it is easy to understand that emotions would have been running high and most certainly could have turned into an expression of anger. It is a good thing that you were able to stifle the anger and channel those emotions into a positive learning experience for everyone. Regardless of the other persons attitude or awareness of what happened, anger will very rarely create an atmosphere where learning can occur. Expressing oneself through anger is never a good approach for all the obvious reasons, so my hats off to you for handling the situation like an adult – BRAVO! I wish more people would follow your example... Thank you for sharing this experience with us… Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

I am facing the same dilemma - but the PC D boxes have gone the way of the 8 track eh? After thousands of jumps with a D-Box, it only protected my cam from catastrophic damage maybe twice - I think I am going with a bracket next... Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

That is a good idea - afterall, it is all about the student right? Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

No Walt, I think they just meant just for that one jump, not the rest of the summer... Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

1 case...

There are no guarantees in life eh? I am curious - when you must go to your reserve, do you do it without hesitation, trust it as if you believe it is a guarantee?

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=2892403#2892403

rave4funn and ThomasRizzo - Great posts! It shows how different personalities really should approach the training as is best for all of us as individuals. We are all different; we all learn and approach situations differently. There is not one size fits all answer. Rave4fun, I am curious: “Someone in my AFF class had that attitude and he and his wife both failed miserably” Failed miserably? Were they injured or killed? Have they continued to jump, did either get their license? Thomas: Sounds like you enjoyed your training, used you spare time in a positive manner and will continue on toward your license – have fun. And - I know you can, I know you can! Again, great points by both of you, thanks… Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

There is a viewpoint concerning trust in a reserve parachute that is prevalent in the little corner of the world wide instructional arena that has been handed down to me from solo freefall instructional professionals whose expertise I could only dream of one day acquiring. During training, something we never want to put into the mind of a solo freefall student is that, although the chance is diminutive, the reserve can malfunction. It is concerns like this that puts into the mind of jumpers a lack of confidence that they can trust in and rely on their reserve parachute when they are confronted with a situation where it must be used. Naturally, as a jumper gains experience they will learn more about how to handle various situations where certain techniques can be utilized in lieu of resorting to the reserve. As we traverse toward the lower end of the experience spectrum there will be more situations where using the reserve is the best option to walk away from a landing as has been discussed and explored in this thread. Keeping this line of thought in mind, there is a facet of good leadership in teaching others to trust their reserve 100%. And there is a difference between saying a reserve will work perfectly 100% of the time and saying that one can have trust in their reserve that it will work 100% of the time. I certainly appreciate your frustration with accuracy when making statements, but there are times to use discretion and good judgment in how we communicate potential issues that may arise that may put fear into the mind of a jumper early on in their skydiving career. When training students, I do not lie to them and tell them the reserve is 100%, I just do not bring it up. In my limited experience of 5 seasons training solo freefall students, I have only had 1 student ask me if a reserve can malfunction, and of course I was honest. That person did not continue to jump after that. And naturally, we must do all we can to effectively train students not only how, but when to resort to their reserve and methods to land less than perfect mains keeping in mind that altitude awareness is essential and when a decision must be made, it they are not confident they can safely land their main, to execute emergency procedures at an appropriate altitude. Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

God I am getting old, just to guess, "Bomb Ass" means "Good"?