{"id":17386,"date":"2016-08-03T23:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-08-03T23:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/skydivemag.com\/new\/?p=17386"},"modified":"2020-07-09T11:32:09","modified_gmt":"2020-07-09T11:32:09","slug":"2016-08-04-keep-danger-at-a-distance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.skydivemag.com\/new\/2016-08-04-keep-danger-at-a-distance\/","title":{"rendered":"Keep DANGER at a DISTANCE"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When you get on the plane, do you have a plan?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Image by Craig O’Brien<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Every time we jump we are exposed to many situations and variables that may trigger an accident. To take care of ourselves and of the other skydivers is the responsibility of everyone. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Making good jumps, one after another, is the result of doing things right and predicting what will be necessary and what could go wrong.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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If, every time we jump we have a plan based on the characteristics of the jump and that load, we\u2019ll keep our risk factor low, for a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some people just get on the plane thinking that they\u2019ll have fun with their friends. Well, for sure that\u2019s the main purpose of skydiving but we can\u2019t get on the plane and just jump, ignoring our environment. Lack of attention can easily result in a dangerous situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When something happens, we can think that it happened because of bad luck, pilot, weather, or other factors. Often we don\u2019t realize that the problem arose directly from a specific place \u2013 and that place, is usually ourselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Know the others on your load and their intentions in the skydive<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Keep danger at a distance by paying attention to doing things right and being aware of what could go wrong”<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recommendations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here are some recommendations about the things to take into account before jumping:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Follow the plan!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When a skydive is organized, the leader takes precautions, sets rules and designs the plan according to the people on the load and the intended jump. But if the people don\u2019t follow the plan that was created for their safety, it\u2019s useless. So it\u2019s vital that you follow the plan!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Know the DZ<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You must know the place where you are going to skydive, especially if it\u2019s the first time you jump there. Are you clear about your landing pattern? Do you know the rules of the DZ? At which altitude do you plan your turns in initial, base and finals? Have you thought about and seen the landing area? Do you know about the obstacles, possible areas with turbulence and whether there are alternate areas?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Assess the conditions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Look at the weather, wind, clouds and temperature. This is invaluable information that can help you be alert and know what to expect in freefall and landing \u2013 or even, to cancel your jump if there\u2019s something that doesn\u2019t match with your skills, equipment or experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have ever seen somebody who was caught by a dust devil and impacted with the ground, maybe it wasn\u2019t just bad luck. If one is jumping in a dry place with high temperatures, it could be smart to cancel or postpone the jump, or land in a different area, foreseeing that this type of accident could happen in these conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Know the landing direction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Check the indicated landing direction before you take off and take into account that this may change, you\u2019ll have to reconfirm when you open your parachute (by looking at the windsock, T or other indicator).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Know
It’s important to know the exit order<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Know the exit order<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In every flight, an exit order must be assigned depending on the intentions of every group (freefly, belly, tracking jump etc). Once you have the exit order, think about what position you have on the plane. If you have a clear idea if you are by the door or near the pilot, then you know what to take into account. You can see who is in front and behind, so you can take precautions if any of them has low experience. For example, bear in mind that if you are at the back of the plane and the groups in front of you delay in the door, when it\u2019s your turn you may be far from the DZ. Then this situation won\u2019t surprise you on deployment, because you were conscious of that beforehand, you analyzed the situation and decided if it was safe to jump \u2013 or even chose to open your parachute slightly higher, to reach the landing zone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Communicate with the others<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If your jump style is special, or if you decide to stay in the plane during the descent, you have to inform the others, especially the pilot. For example, if you intend to open higher than usual, or are going to do a big-way with many people in the tail of the plane, or make a tracking jump, it is good for the rest of the load to know that \u2013 and, most importantly, the pilot, so he\/she can fly the plane accordingly, adjust the spot or lights, or vary the descent plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Understand
Understand the spotting lights, and know the ground speed of the aircraft<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Be clear on procedures<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Be clear about procedures in the airplane \u2013 helmets on, seatbelts, height to remove them, lights for spotting, how the door opens, etc. Plan what you will do, think about and focus on as the plane ascends, as well as what to do in the event of an emergency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Know the exit separation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s useful to know the ground speed of the airplane, because it\u2019s a basic reference to know how many seconds of separation to leave between each group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Always
Always check the spot \u2013 don’t trust others!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Check the spot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Finally, before getting out the airplane, check the spot and see if you\u2019re comfortable with it. Be very sure of this. If you are experienced and know the spot and the DZ, don\u2019t trust in the others, not even the pilot\u2019s lights, still do a visual check. We are all responsible for where we jump. If you don\u2019t have enough experience, rely on people you trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Naturally, danger is far away from us, but we can make poor choices that make it get closer and closer till it hits us. Always try to keep the danger at a distance by paying attention to doing things right and being aware of what could go wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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