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From: wtm%gr.utah.edu@cs.utah.edu (Thomas McCollough)
Subject: Re: Fatality In Colorado
Date: 21 Mar 91 16:36:58 MST
Message-ID: <1991Mar21.163658.24250@hellgate.utah.edu>
Organization: Engineering Geometry Systems
References: <2020013@hpfelg.HP.COM> <1991Mar21.191611.181@athena.mit.edu>

In article <1991Mar21.191611.181@athena.mit.edu> jnrees@athena.mit.edu (Jim Rees) writes:
>In article <2020013@hpfelg.HP.COM> larry@hpfelg.HP.COM (Larry Chapman X3117) writes:
>>
>>What could have saved this student?
>>
>>  1) A jumpmaster that didn't let him "get away".
>>  2) An AAD that worked (they, like altimeters don't work well in a burble like
>>     encountered when you are upside down).
>>  3) Pulling the main rip cord (a Stevens line was in place).
>>  4) Pulling the reserve rip cord.
>>
>
...
>Technically, an AFF JM is always to be in full control of his/her AFF
>student during ground training, ride to altitude, the skydive, all the
>way to signing the log book.  More specifically, it is the JM's
						  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>responsibility to pull the student's ripcord (at or above a reasonable
 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>altitude) if the student does not.  AFF JM's are rated in part by
>their ability to satisfy this requirement.  Without knowing more
>details of the incident, however, I would not necessarily say that it
>was possible for the JM to save this student.
...
>				Jim Rees
>				D-13359
>				SL/AFF JM '91

I believe that your words are too strong.  If I remember correctly, it
is taught in the AFF certification course as follows:

	1. The student is ultimately responsible for saving his/her
	   life on any AFF skydive.
	2. The jumpmaster is the primary level of backup should the student
	   fail to attempt to save his/her life by pulling a ripcord.
	3. The AAD is the secondary level of backup should both the student
	   and the jumpmaster fail.

I do not believe that "the jumpmaster has the responsibility to pull
the student's ripcord".  The jumpmaster is a backup system that is
subject to failure.  The student has the responsibility to pull his/her
own ripcord on any AFF jump.  I believe that this should be made clear
to any student who boards an aircraft.  A student who believes that
"the jumpmaster has the responsibility to pull my ripcord" has
decreased motivation for pulling the ripcord him/herself.  I want my
students to have *maximum motivation* to save their own lives.

It's a tough job saving lives all weekend.

Tom McCollough
D-10882
S/L, AFF Instructor 1991