{"id":24309,"date":"2020-04-20T16:18:32","date_gmt":"2020-04-20T16:18:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.skydivemag.com\/new\/?p=24309"},"modified":"2025-05-14T17:02:45","modified_gmt":"2025-05-14T17:02:45","slug":"big-way-bites-8-how-to-stay-on-a-big-way","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.skydivemag.com\/new\/big-way-bites-8-how-to-stay-on-a-big-way\/","title":{"rendered":"Big-way Bites 8 – How to STAY ON a BIG-WAY"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You followed the steps and you have the invite, what next?  You\u2019re on the big load. Woo hoo!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
One of the most BADASS skydive in recent history – the 128-way JEWEL
Photo by Andrey Veselov <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Here are 12 things that will help you to stay on the load once skydiving starts…<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

First: Read the paperwork<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Return any paperwork or deposits for the event promptly and with all information included. Don\u2019t make the organizer chase you down for payment. Once you are at the event, introduce yourself by first and last name to the organizer(s) when convenient and don\u2019t be offended when they forget your name. Remind them if they call you by another name. 
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second: Assess your slot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Assess the slot you\u2019ve been assigned and decide if it\u2019s the slot that best reflects your current talents and ability. If you should be moved, let your plane captain know AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.  He or she will pass that information on to the organizer as necessary. 
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
The transition of the 1st total break Sequential World Record, 130-way
Skydive Perris, photo by Andrey Veselov<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Third: Don\u2019t be late<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t be late. Ever. Not once. It really irritates organizers to try and track down people for dirtdives or debriefs. Have a \u201cbuddy system\u201d and get in the habit of letting at least one person know where you are no matter WHERE it is or for how long.  Have access to a watch for events so you can make calls.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t be late. Ever. Not once”<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Fourth: Bring fall rate tools<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bring all your suits and\/or weights to an event.  If you need more lead, or more suit, handle it. Don\u2019t go to the organizer and ask questions that other people on the load can answer. Be ready to loan stuff to others on the dive if need be. Wear an audible altimeter and set it to the correct altitudes for break off and deployment. If break off is keyed from the center, then trust the center.  Don\u2019t pull low.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Be invisible \u2013 try not to cause this!
Photo by Gary Wainwright<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Fifth: Be invisible<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Be invisible. Organizers aren\u2019t looking for the person with the funniest jokes in the dirtdive, or the fastest swoop to the formation. They want to see the completed formation, or successful sequential if applicable. If, during a video debrief, the organizer asks \u201cwho is this?\u201d, answer with your complete name. Hearing  \u201cthat\u2019s me\u201d is frustrating when you are dealing with multiple people. Relax, it\u2019s often not a bad thing, just the organizer wanting to familiarize him or herself with the people on the screen. If you are asked to explain a specific action, keep it simple. \u201cI made a judgement error\u201d goes a long way over a lengthy explanation which boils down to the same answer.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sixth: Don\u2019t argue<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t argue. This makes you visible. If you are right, and the organizer is wrong then get your facts straight and present them to your organizer or plane captain without emotion. Video and or witnesses backing up your point of view are a good thing. Mistakes happen. People wear similar suits and or rigs. Don\u2019t take responsibility for an error that isn\u2019t yours, but don\u2019t take it personally if a mistake does happen.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Don’t get lost, prepare your markers well, for low light conditions
Photo: Sequential Games, Skydive Perris, by Gary Wainwright<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Seventh: Don\u2019t get lost<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t get lost.  It\u2019s a one point (maybe 2-3 at best) skydive. Know (at a minimum) 3-5 major keys on different people in the formation. Include the base, and several waves. At least one should be opposite you in the formation so that if either you or the formation is off heading, you can recognize that easily.  Know who exits the plane in front of you and who docks both in front and behind you, so if you are late (or early \u2014 they are equal offenses) you know who’s way to stay out of. The ability to dirt dive the entire skydive in your head, from both your point of view and the camera point of view has, in my experience, been very helpful for visualizing where one\u2019s slot is.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eighth: Don’t be a snitch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t come up to the organizer (or plane captain) ‘volunteering’ information about other participants unless it is critical to the outcome of the dive or safety of the participants. Even so, do this only if you are sure that no one else on the dive knows this information.  Time is precious.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ninth: Self-care<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Take care of yourself. Drink water during the day, and (at least part of the time) during the night. Sleep. Eat a lot of healthy snacks rather than large meals that will slow you down. Don\u2019t make your health the organizer’s or plane captain\u2019s problem.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tenth: Be safety aware<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Track like your life depends on it. It does. Clear your air, deploy your canopy. Hands on risers during deployment, keep an eye out for other traffic 100% of the time. Don\u2019t hook turn or make any radical canopy maneuvers on big ways. After landing collapse your canopy quickly and turn to face on coming traffic while picking up your canopy and moving to the side. The jump is not safely over until you are in the packing area. This isn\u2019t an article on safety, but these are the basics that should be followed on 100% of your skydives.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Track like your life depends on it. It does”<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Without good tracking skills you have no place on this kind of jump
Photo by Gary Wainwright<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Eleventh: Use the talent<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Utilize the talent on the load. The chances are that there is someone, either near you in the formation or on the airplane who knows the answers to the questions you are afraid to ask in a large group. Ask them. People LOVE being asked questions. If you are asked a question and don\u2019t know the answer find someone who does. Take advantage of the amazing amount of talent to be found on any large formation skydiving load and learn from others.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twelve: Don\u2019t hurt Kate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t hurt Kate \ud83d\ude42
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Enjoy your journey exploring large formation skydiving! It\u2019s a wonderful and very social aspect of the sport. The feeling of sharing success with 100, 200, or 300 people together is quite special, and I recommend it to everyone. I look forward to sharing some air with you in the future.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Happy Kate, photo by Dennis Sattler<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Big-way Bites Series<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Previous article – Big-way Bites 7 – How to GET ON a big-way<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next article – Big-way Bites 9<\/a> – Safety in a BIG way!<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n
<\/div>
<\/a><\/div><\/div>
<\/a><\/div><\/div>
Visit Us<\/a><\/div><\/div>
<\/a>
<\/span>
<\/a><\/div>
<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div >