BrianSGermain

That is a great question. It is likely that any food grade silicone lubricant will work, but I have only tested it with the product furnished by our friends at Airtec. It is readily available from any dropzone rigger, gear dealer or directly from Airtec. Keep in mind, you only need a bit... -Bri Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

This one came out great, please watch and share: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GA0Wqs8c7-8 Wishing you many happy landings, -Bri New Instructional Video: "Navigation and Accuracy Secrets": http://bit.ly/1MWONby Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Grampa Wisdom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQtn1dFhp0Y Related Article: http://www.dropzone.com/safety/General_Safety/The_Long_Haul_560.html Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Are you an Adventure Family? Here are some videos you will love! Adventure is OUT THERE! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCBv0sczBGc&list=PLB0797506426A2C66 Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

I have been thinking about the effects of volume on size more since I wrote this article. I believe that that balance of power between D1 and D2 as it relates to scale has a profound effect on the flight characteristics. Given the fact that canopy drag changes while body drag does not, large canopies; even with an adjusted airfoil height, will never have as long a recovery arc as their smaller counterparts. Likewise, large canopies will always have a higher pitch angle in full flight due to their higher drag value, and will consequently have a flatter glide ratio. That said; the non-linear scale effects are still something to be considered, as are the differences between canopy designs. We need to consider all of the variables if we are to accurately predict a parachutes flight characteristics, and any single metric will be insufficient.

To clarify the method I used for calculating internal volume: Span x Chord x [*Rib height] Rib height = maximum rib height divide by two, averaged value of all ribs This is not an exact figure, however it is an expedient way to make the calculations. If the math takes too long, other manufacturers are not likely to measure their volumes. If all the manufacturers use this method, we will level to playing field and make volume comparisons across products a quite valuable number. That said, the total number of ribs alters the inflated volume of the canopy, a fact which must be taken into account. In other words, a standard seven cell will have a larger inflated volume than a nine cell with the exact same ribs. I am not yet clear on how we will factor this into the equation, but acknowledge the necessary of this amendment. Again, the goal of the use of this number is to help parachute customers to have another metric to predict a parachutes performance beyond just 2-D area. There is no doubt that other variables have a huge impact on parachute performance beyond area and volume alone. These variable include: (elliptical taper, line trim, line length, location and duration of max rib height, line attachment displacement, fabric type, line type and diameter, number of stitch rows and thread type, and undoubtably several others that I have not thought of in this moment. Nevertheless, volume is a significant feature, and the customers should be able to compare differences between designs.

Check out this video on YouTube: Safety First TV SDR#216 Canopy Transfers http://youtu.be/050j37Y50QE Wishing you all many happy landings, Bri Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

If, as you say, 8-10 lbs of line stow extraction force is necessary to prevent a hard opening, why do the thousands of semi-stowless bags open softly and beautifully? It seems to me that the issue is bag dump. In my experience, elastics that are too tight (other than the closing stows), cause off heading openings and line twists. From what I understand, out of sequence line deployment is the focus of the "double stow" religion, as the belief is that lines that come off the bag out of sequence will cause tension knots. I have not seen this in the field very often, and the risks posed by double stowing seem to out weight the need for this paranoia-driven panic to double stow everything.

Ever wondered what it is like to fly your canopy next to a 3000 foot waterfall in northern Norway? Check out this video on YouTube: http://youtu.be/uKAJTuG4S9s When you remember your reasons for taking on challenge, your will becomes more powerful than your fear. Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Please watch this new short video discussing the "alternate closing method". It might prevent a malfunction for you or someone you care about: https://youtu.be/lDFIJsO0-KM Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

4 minutes can shift your perspective... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cj608774qbQ Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Corey, I think that fear of mistakes on the students part is the fundamental to being a caring instructor. It is just like being a parent, in that the desire to prevent harm is often so strong that we prevent learning through direct experience. It is true that the paradigm from which instructors come creates a tendency to continue in that direction, nevertheless evolution is part of the quest for higher levels of safety. If we find a balance between the two ends of the spectrum, and say, have radios but only use them to serious situations, true safety can be achieved. We can use the radio to teach, through asking good questions of the student under canopy that lead to understanding, rather than just giving them the answers, we will be on the road to an expanded model. That, I believe, is where we are headed.

It is interesting to me that in the US and other countries where radios are always used, the case is made why we absolutely need them. The idea that a first or second jump student is emotionally incapable of flying a pattern to a safe landing is unthinkable in this cultural context. In countries such as Norway and Sweden, places that tend to have the most favorable incident statistics, radios are rarely used at all. Is it possible that we are using radios in the States to mask our hidden agenda of not wanting to spend the time to teach our students how to fly their parachutes? Is it possible that the human factors argument, for most people, is not valid, and has merely been a mechanism of a litigious society once again impinging on human freedom? Philosophical discussion aside, it is my agenda to make sure that everyone who flies a parachute knows how to do it safety. It is through articles like this one that we can get skydivers thinking about HOW to teach safe parachuting methods. We need to create responsible canopy pilots who understand the dynamics of the situation on a very deep level, and your article is another part of that puzzle. Thank you for writing it.

Here are two short videos about making the transition from fear to healthy anger and beyond toward optimal performance. I hope you benefit from them to become a better skydiver. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIlmg660l_I&feature=youtu.be https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g55JHNF6wBc&feature=youtu.be Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Something that has come to my attention is that the rig used makes a massive difference in the response time of an AAD activated deployment. If the container hesitates to release the pilot chute, even if the unit does its job perfectly, the reserve may not deploy prior to impact. I have noticed that this thread has primarily focused on the workings of an AAD, but the more I learn about rigs, the more I see that the container is a major factor. Many of today's rigs will deploy just fine in a total malfunction, many others may hesitate under certain circumstances. I believe that the use of skyhooks and similar reserve deployment assist devices are masking this problem. If a rig that acts like a deck of cards being split in two has a reserve that is a bit too big for the intended volume, it may not provide a good launch. It may even experience a total malfunction. I am not pointing fingers at any specific manufacturers, only cautioning against riggers and gear dealers from putting reserve parachutes that are too large into rigs that have lots of flaps for the reserve pilot chute to push through. These thoughts are based on the evidence collected by Airtek of rig testing, evidence that I have watched on video. All this said, I think that increasing the deployment altitude of AAD's to 950 feet for experienced personnel is a smart move, and easy to do on all of the good AAD's. If a rig hesitates, this gives the jumper a bit more time for that reserve pilot chute to get out in the airstream. Blue Skies, Brian Germain Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

The cartoon was hilarious by the way, thank you for being direct with an issue that you feel is important. Your passion around this topic led me to spend time testing the G3 fastex "noose release" that I have on my own helmet. On several trials. under significant load, the method worked most of the time. What is very interesting to me, however, is that it did nt work on 100% of the pulls. I was able to get the buckle release in a single pull on 13 out of 15 tests, and was always able to get it to release in two tries. After several attempts, I eventually broke the lower half of the fastex buckle, making the release seem to work better, despite holding surprisingly well prior to release. It is possible that if one removes the lower of the two "fingers" of the fastex buckles, it will be even safer. My tests showed that this method may work for some people some of the time, and cause others to have a second pull or even a failure to release in some circumstances, especially if they are simply not strong enough to give a sharp tug in the correct direction. I will place this issue in the same category as the "Blast Handle" and "Reverse Three Rings". It can be used safety by educated personnel, however should not be considered rhe best option when other methods are available, the first being to have a snag free GoPro mount such as Cookie's Roller Mount. So, my friends, I am once again caused by the skydiving public to revisit my pervious teachings and revise my original stance. I thank you for your willingness of the skydivers to continuer solving problems, and clarify the needs for specific paradigm shifts. This is exactly how we get better as a sport. Sincerely, Brian Germain Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

I am fine with your opposing opinion. Given substantial evidence to the contrary, I am even open to changing my oppinion. I don't need everyone to agree with me all the time. That would be too much responsibility, It is simply my hope that skydivers keep thinking deeper about safety subjects like this one. If the readers of this thread are motivated to test this method and find it unworthy, it is my hope that they did a method that does prove trustworthy to them and do it. My concern is when too much information becomes a mental overload that results in no action at all. Think, choose, think, choose... Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

With a sharp tug, it releases under tension. Regardless, I know this isn't the best possible cutaway, but it is be on Le that is most likely to be adopted by the most number of people. It is much better than nothing. Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

It works fine, and since it is so simple to implement, more people are likely to actually do it. A perfect plan not unfolded does not save anyone. Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Here is a simple video that will teach you how: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuqJV3eRH0g Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

Evan: This a a good point if someone does not have stainless steel hardware, and is planning in swinging around wildly in the harness. However, at just one "G", under normal circumstances, I have never seen a problem with metal on metal for this practice, and I have been doing it for many years. However, if it really concerns you, try a climbing sewn "quick draw" to prevent metal on metal contact.

These are all great thoughts. I agree that a general winning formula is: "When in doubt, get it out." Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

That is easy. Remind them that sensory cues allow them to be more aware of altitude without taking much time. Also, you may remind them that by being more altitude aware, they will live longer. Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

The following is great advice, and very true, as is the note about inner ear pressure. Keep them coming please!!! Thank you, Brian Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fU7pCPmGS0s&index=2&list=PLAA7B03CA8C2DFDCA Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com