First, let me apologize for what happened on the jump in question. You should have been picked up. Now, with that said, let me give you the details of what really happened. For the last several weeks, jumpers put together a sunset tracking dive. They have tended to go too long but everyone seemed to make it back. On this dive, Andy Witcomb, the GM and S&TA advised the jump leader not to go out as far. Yet they did anyway. I, as the Chief Instructor, was on the ground and saw there was to be an off field landing. I contacted the organizer and inquired as to how many had landed off and was informed it was one jumper. I got in my car as did another jumper and went to go get them. The other jumper arrived first and picked up the off jumper. He was asked if there were any other jumpers that had landed off and he was informed no, that he was the only one. After arriving back at the DZ, and after a little while, people realized Barbara was not there. I immediately went back out in my car to locate her. I saw her as she was just arriving at the DZ. Now, there have been some mis-statements and misinterpretations posted here. Let me clear them up: 1. Manifest WAS NOT CLOSED!!!! The manifest girls had gone for the day but the office was still open and I, as the chief instructor, was in charge. Telephones and the emergency medical equipment was still readily available. 2. Contrary to Barbara’s post the DZ did not know more than one jumper had landed off. The DZ did do a check to make sure everyone was back but received erroneous information twice. 3. The DZ did not close manifest and pop open beers while knowing a jumper had landed off and was not accounted for. That’s simply ridiculous. 4. Molly’s comments about students getting hurt and no staff going out to help them is simply not true. When molly had her landing accident a few years back, everyone was out there to help, staff and friends both. Andy Witcomb, who is now the GM and S&TA, was there the whole time holding your head. The fact is, we rarely have any injuries by students. Most are by experienced jumpers and yes, the staff does go out to assist in every way. The fact that Molly has never seen a staff member help an injured student is because she rarely jumps at the DZ and even more rarely would see an injury. 5. Molly’s comments that no safety procedures are in place again shows her lack of knowledge and quite bluntly, her ignorance. I would ask Molly and Barbara when the last time was she asked to speak to the manager or S&TA about these issues. I can answer that she has not. She would rather flame away on this thread than find out the truth since the truth is not what she wants to hear. With our military contract in addition to the civilian jumping, we have had our operation and procedures reviewed time and time again. And we pass each time. We even have a grid of the local landscape in the aircraft so if someone lands off or cuts away their parachute the pilot can radio down coordinates to locate them/it. 6. As for Molly’s comments about a Big meeting and new safety rules after her accident, no amount of rules and meetings will prevent experienced jumpers from being stupid and hooking themselves into the ground. Even DZ’s with no hook turn policies see hook turn accidents as many jumpers simply ignore them. I know of at least one jumper that was told to go to another DZ because he would not listen and was an accident waiting to happen. He wanted to size down his canopy to quickly. He then went to another DZ the next weekend, borrowed a small canopy and proceeded to almost kill himself on landing. He is still recovering 4 years later and will never skydive again. 7. As Phillip wrote, our jumpers are a tight knit group. When someone lands off, and it rarely happens, everyone wants to go get them. Sometimes before a staff member makes it to his car, an experienced jumper is already at the top of the driveway. That is great! And as Phillip says, anyone can call for a go around. I’d like to hear of anyone that got chastised by Andy, Buzz or Myself for taking it around. As for staff or other experienced jumpers yelling at you, that may happen and may happen anywhere. Some DZ’s have a one pass rule. That is not the case here and has never been the case here. And Barbara, you in fact told me that you knew you should not have gotten out and that you knew you were too long. Ultimately, each and every jumper is responsible for their own jump and to make sure they are safe. 8. Barbara, when was the last time you asked who the S&TA was? It is Andy Witcomb by the way, the GM. Molly say’s “I think I’ve asked”? Come on Molly, you think? There are also two other S&TA’s that work on the military side available. If you truly are concerned about safety and not knowing, then why post it in this forum instead of asking? You can be part of the problem or part of the solution. Which would be more productive? Now, some additional background information. Barbara and Molly are best friends and are attempting to slander a good DZ by one posting and the other responding and adding to the flame. They are also upset that their friend Curt Swanson is no longer doing Freefly Load Organizing at the DZ. Curt did informal Freefly load organizing at the DZ and did a good job of it. However, we were looking for a permanent Freefly organizer. We were approached by both Curt and Mike Ortiz, world champion freeflyer. We ultimately chose to use Mike Ortiz but left open the possibility of Curt assisting. Curt chose not to accept this and went to Perris. We have since increased Mike’s workload on our Navy Contract reducing the amount of time he has available. So we brought in Icarus Team Evolution. They load organize for both freeflying and canopy control and have a proven track record for producing better and safer jumpers. Curt now finds himself at Skydive SoCal on Brown Field. For the record, I wish Skydive SoCal and Curt all the best and am happy they are succeeding and doing well. In conclusion, as said earlier, we all have a choice: Be part of the solution or be part of the problem. If someone has concerns and does not talk to the DZ management, they are part of the problem. Only through open communication by all parties can we make this the best and safest operation whether it is in Florida, California, Ohio or Colorado. While I feel they went about it in the wrong way, I feel no animosity towards Barbara or Molly and appreciate that they are concerned. I challenge everyone to step up and be a part of the solution rather than part of the problem. I can be reached at (619) 216-8416 if anyone wishes to discuss this further. Blue skies and safe landing! Greg Lund Chief Instructor
