Borrowing an AAD

[grandmaster95 0]

I know it's a long shot, but I have to give it a shot. I'm in search of someone who will let me borrow their AAD so I can finish my A license. I have 7 jumps left, but have a unique circumstance.

I have a partially dislocated right shoulder, it's been that way for about 7 years now. This makes it nearly impossible for me to reach behind my back to grab my pilot chute. All through AFF and my last jumps, I've used a rip cord that is set up on the student rig with a spring loaded pilot chute. However, I can't do my hop n pop with this setup and have to jump with a throw out before I can graduate.

Long story short, I bought my own rig, had it convereted to a left and throw out, and the only thing it's missing is the AAD, which I have to have to jump as a student. Since buying all of this, I don't have another $1300 for an AAD and probably won't for 6-8 months. :( So if you know of anyone who was hurt or may just be down for a month or 2 who would allow this it would be greatly appreciated.

I'm more than happy to pay shipping too and from, and even a small rental fee. I'm just in a tight spot and need a bit of help. Again, I understand it's a stretch, but doesn't hurt to try.

Thanks in advance for anyone who is willing to help a fellow skydiver out.

Turn to the storm and say, "Give your worst, and I shall give my best."

[councilman24 37]

There is no technical or safety reason you can't do your hop and pop with the ripcord rig. If your DZ/Instructors are making that requirement it's all their own. Tens of thousand of skydivers did their first freefall as a ripcord hop and pop going through the static line program, still a viable training method.

That being said don't expect to get one for free. If you do get an offer that's great but this is a valuable piece of equipment that had a limited service life.

SSK does run a rental program for cypres', or at least they did.
http://www.cypres-usa.com/dealerinfo_rent_a_cypres_english.pdf

Call SSK http://www.cypres-usa.com/ and ask. And or call Vigil USA and ask.

I'm old for my age.
Terry Urban
D-8631
FAA DPRE

[grandmaster95 0]

Thanks for the reply and links. You're very right, I don't expect someone to just hand theirs over. I'd be able to get my jumps in over the course of a weekend, possibly two if I had one in my possession.

I will see if anyone offers, but I'm sor sure going to look into rending one from SSK or Vigil and see if they will allow it.

As far as the DZ, I think it's more that they want to make sure I'm comfortable with a throw out since I won't be using a rip cord forever.

Turn to the storm and say, "Give your worst, and I shall give my best."

[councilman24 37]

Being familiar with a throw out is fine. But again thousands of jumpers changed from rip cord to throw out after getting a license. And some still jump a ripcord. And of course all the reserves are still ripcords for a reason.

What runs through my mind is if you can steer a canopy with a higher toggle pressure, front riser a canopy, cutaway, and even just fly with that bum arm. I'll assume the instructors are doing their job and figuring all that out. But I've know a number of skydivers that had bum shoulders that would pop out of joint in freefall routinely. They'd land with both toggles in one hand. Maybe not so good of an idea these days.

I'm old for my age.
Terry Urban
D-8631
FAA DPRE

[Southern_Man 0]

I don't assume you know this, but maybe you do.

You would also have to pay a repack fee to have the AAD inserted into your rig. And possibly another one to have it removed from your rig. If you are using the same rigger you may get these at a discount from a complete repack fee but I would talk to him/her first and not assume that.

Also, I have no idea what the status of your shoulder is but you should try to get that sorted. Dislocations in freefall are a fairly common phenomena but they are still very serious. Surgery and/or a brace should be on your list.

"What if there were no hypothetical questions?"

[ridebmxbikes 0]

Be careful with that shoulder. My friend dislocated his right shoulder upon aff graduation on landing. Second time it happened was on a 3-way on exit, he ended up going to silver because he couldn't pull. Third time it happened was on a 8-way in freefall. Couldn't find silver to save his life. Aad caught him. After that he got surgery and he's still waiting for a full recovery before he jumps again.

I'm glad to hear you got a left hand throw out but in freefall your arm is in the perfect position to slip right on out with minimal force. Which was most of my point. Id keep the dives really simple, easy docks with no pulling and no linked exits. Get the shoulder fixed as soon as you can and protect that arm with your life! Blue skies!

Edit: p.s. I think I saw a company that rents aads.you could search for it and. Ill try to find it for you too.

[grandmaster95 0]

Correct, that did cross my mind. Like I said I don't really have a ton of options. The rigger that packed my reserve when I gt my rig would likely give me a good deal and wouldn't charge for a repack. Just install/deinstall. I'm still ahead at that point.

I've contacted vigil and cypres to see if they have any rental programs. I'll let you know what I find out.

As far as my shoulder goes, it's not in terrible shape, I just have limited mobility when reaching behind my back or out to the side with my arm straight (like flys while weight lifting). However, Its been like this for 7 years now and no major issues. I still lift weights daily, rock climb, mountain and dirt bike, and anything else you could imagine. I've never had it come in/out of place. It's just stuck where it is. Surgery would be 10-14 month recovery. So I'd rather not mess with it until something goes wrong.

Turn to the storm and say, "Give your worst, and I shall give my best."

[grandmaster95 0]

For those of you that are interested, here is what I found.

SSK does still do their rental program. It is based on the old repack cycle of 120 days.

To obtain a rental Cypres we must have a credit card number to which we can charge a $250 deposit. We assume whoever is renting the Cypres is going to keep it for an entire repack cycle or 120 days; if in the U.S. This roughly boils down to $2 per day. The renter keeps the unit for as long as needed, up to 120 days, then returns the Cypres to SSK. However many days that were not used are credited back onto the credit card number. The customer pays for shipping both ways and the time- frame starts from the day after we ship the unit until the day before we receive it back.

It was a very prompt response and I plan to call today to get my order placed. It's a good option for those who may be traveling to a DZ who requires an AAD but doesn't have the money to front and purchase one quite yet.

I also emailed Vigil and recieved no response.

Turn to the storm and say, "Give your worst, and I shall give my best."