Rover

Cheers AFFI, I work on a small cessna dropzone where there are 2 TIs and I'm the camera jumper. We often use handcams to provide punters with what we believe is high quality video footage. Others may disagree but that is their problem as far as I'm concerned. 2 wrongs don't make a right - but 3 lefts do.

Thanks for your inciteful and thought provoking comment? This will go along way to promoting safety in our sport. With an attitude like yours I'm surprised that you've lasted the number of years and jumps your profile claims. This forum is to promote safety and training and I'm happy to take fair criticism but PA removed by slotperfect you should go and play somewhere else. Thankfully not on a dropzone near me. 2 wrongs don't make a right - but 3 lefts do.

Whats a mortgage? 2 wrongs don't make a right - but 3 lefts do.

Hi Speedy, The final photo is the 3 rings letting go just as it was transitioning into a downplane. The reserve definately opened behind the main. 2 wrongs don't make a right - but 3 lefts do.

Sorry re gear. I don't want to get into that specificly right now. However I'm intending to let the manufacturer of this gear know about this thread. 2 wrongs don't make a right - but 3 lefts do.

Hi Diablo, I guess the hand cam contributed in the fact that the arm was brought in front to capture the tandem students (punters - the betting type) face at the time of opening. This meant that as the harness 'distorted' - for want of a better word - the corner of the pud caught the jumpsuit. If a 'standard' arch was being maintained, the upper arm/jumpsuit wouldn't be near the pud. My point is that it's not a handcam specific problem, but a potentially a problem that has wider ramifications. 2 wrongs don't make a right - but 3 lefts do.

Thanks for your pedantic and quite accurate discription of the word punter. Semantics are a wonderful thing and it is a priviledge to be corrected. Thanks for your contribution. A Master is to a mistress as an Instructor is to a student. 2 wrongs don't make a right - but 3 lefts do.

Sorry, a punter is a 'downunder' term for passenger. With regard to your other query I agree that the handcam can create issues but my point is that this isn't a handcam specific problem. It contributed, but all TMs should be aware that there may be a gear issue with tandem reserve handles facing out and potentially snagging - particuarly during the opening sequence. 2 wrongs don't make a right - but 3 lefts do.

The skydive was going well until the drogue release was pulled. The TM was wearing a handcam and as the canopy opened he brought his hand in front to video both the punters face and the canopy opening. He got more than he bargained for as the reserve pud snagged on his jumpsuit which deployed his reserve. Fortunately the reserve opened behind the main, which was cut away as the canopies transitioned into a downplane. A standard reserve ride ensued. An investigation was carried out with some interesting conclusions. The reserve pud was 'directly' connected to the reserve cable meaning that as soon as force is applied it is transferred directly to the reserve pin. Our other set of gear has about 2 inches of cable before the swage meaning that there is a certain tolerance before the force is transferred. We contacted the manufacturer and the reaction was that this is a handcam specific problem and that their position is that handcam shouldn't be used. As a TM I disagree. While the handcam contributed to the scenerio, I believe that I should have full and free movement of my arms to deal with any situations. We've modified both the shape of the pud, rounding it off, as well as our arm postion on opening. But I must say I was disappointed with the manufacturers response. A hazard has been identified. Deal with it rather than burying your head in the sand. 2 wrongs don't make a right - but 3 lefts do.

I started doing tandems after doing 1400 jumps, of which 800 were camera jumps. I did my 1st handcam jump after 100 tandems. In hindsight I feel that in my case that this was acceptable as I was current, albeit inexperienced in tandems and comfortable with working with cameras and putting together video footage. However if you have no or little knowledge of camera operation, this distraction could become problematic. Advice when you start, skydive safe first, vid last. With a good lens and camera even mediocre footage can be sellable. Re gear, I use a Waycool glove and the 0.25 Blackeye lens and I have nothing but praise for the quality of both products and service, Finally do your homework on vid camera. Different cameras have different specs re wide angle ability. Don't assume they are the same bearing in mind wider is better as it's only at arms length. Make sure the camera has a Lanc port. Don't bounce, but if you do keep the camera running. 2 wrongs don't make a right - but 3 lefts do.