Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!usc!wuarchive!hsdndev!husc6!genrad!stardent!joep
From: joep@Stardent.COM (Joe Peterson)
Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
Subject: Re: my first reserve ride (don't try this at home!!)
Message-ID: <1991May24.121611.6513@Stardent.COM>
Date: 24 May 91 12:16:11 GMT
References: <1991May22.195426.17798@ge-dab.GE.COM>
Organization: Stardent Computer, Concord MA
Lines: 53
In-reply-to: coleman@sundae10.DAB.GE.COM's message of 22 May 91 19:54:26 GMT

> practice rip-cord pulls on this jump.  Well, guess what,  when it was
> pull time I couldn't find my ripcord.  I tried 3 times, then popped
> the reserve (my first time doing this).  Boy was I in for a surprise.
> It came out so hard, it about knocked me out.  Now, I have to go to
> the chiropractor every day for the next 2 weeks because of whiplash.
> It's funny how something as simple as finding your ripcord can become
> a problem when you can't spare the time to think about it.  Has anybody
> else every had this problem?  Of course, from now on,  I will make sure

In having this experience, you, of course, are not at all alone!  I know
several people personally to whom this has happened (including myself!).
When it was time for me to look for my first rig (around 20 jumps, recently
off status), I tried several used rigs.  On one of my first throw-out
jumps, the rig I was trying was a little small for me, causing the handle
to ride up a little high on my hip.  Another problem was that the pilot chute
had been folded a little long for the pocket, so there was an inch or two of
slack between the handle and the pocket.  I was also wearing gloves (not thick
ones, mind you).  All of these factors can, and did, result in my first
reserve ride!  It is truly a terrible feeling not to feel or see that nice
little orange handle!  My terminal reserve opening really did not seem that
bad, but then again, my adrenaline must have been at an all-time high.

There are several things to be learned here:

1) Always be careful when jumping an unfamiliar rig.  Do lots of practice
   pulls on the ground (even lying on your stomach), especially if throw-outs
   are new to you.  Throw-outs have a "mushier" feel than ripcords, and
   they can move around more.

2) Be careful when wearing gloves.  I only wear them when I really need
   them, because you can't feel things nearly as well.  If you do wear
   them, make sure your tactile sense is adequate.

3) Folding the pilot chute and positioning the handle well is important.
   I like the handle to feel like it won't move around much during freefall.
   When you get up in the plane on jump run, check the handle's
   position and push the pilot chute back into the pocket if necessary.
   But make sure you are not just pushing down the slack near the pocket
   opening (this will work its way free in freefall!).  I find it is best
   if you cannot pull the handle up without moving the entire pilot
   chute.

4) It IS very possible to have a "lost handle" with a throw-out!  Some
   people tell you that "lost handles" are only a problem with pull-outs.
   NOT TRUE!


Anybody else out there have any other helpful suggestions?  I hope mine
help!


						Joe Peterson  C-20351
						Stardent Computer, Inc.