cameramonkey 0 #1 June 17, 2002 Just a heads up for everyone that knows Jaybird here; he was involved in a hard landing Sunday. With only a relatively minor break, he should be back in the air in 6 weeks. Here is the preliminary; (details updated as it comes in)After cutting away his small main due to a premature release of one brake line (and the subsequent spinning mal) he got his equally small reserve out successfully. he set up his approach into a relatively bare farm field, and did a test flare. From what he remembers, as he landed into the wind about 200 feet downwind of a treeline (winds averaging 15-18mph) he apparently hit a rotor, which abruptly dropped him onto his back. When we arrived, he was conscious and alert. He was taken to a local hospital by the medics, where they diagnosed a fractured T7 vertibrae. We are thinking his CYPRES sensor might have contributed to this, as thats about where the box sits on the back. So, based on the accident, I personally have two things to add. First, be aware of rotors and turbulence off the trees. Second, if you are gonna land off, do so near a road, so we dont have to run a half mile to get to you ;). My chest is still burning 12 hours later LOL. Heal fast Brother!MSN:skygilligan@hotmail.comAIM:skydiverindyICQ:7637979Yahoo:skygilligan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FallRate 0 #2 June 17, 2002 God-Damnit!!! Fuck! Shit!! FUCK!!!Jason, rest easy and heal-up. The sky needs you! We need you Brother!!! Where is he at? Hospital? Let me know!FallRate Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cameramonkey 0 #3 June 17, 2002 he is at Reid hospital overnight for observation, should be home monday. MSN:skygilligan@hotmail.comAIM:skydiverindyICQ:7637979Yahoo:skygilligan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FallRate 0 #4 June 17, 2002 Quote Reid hospital Indianapolis? Or elsewhere!!!?FallRate Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cameramonkey 0 #5 June 17, 2002 no, Reid is in Richmond. He's going home (Indy) monday AM. MSN:skygilligan@hotmail.comAIM:skydiverindyICQ:7637979Yahoo:skygilligan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FallRate 0 #6 June 17, 2002 I got 'hold of the hospital...have to wait until later to talk to him. Shit... It's good to know that he will be alright, but it sucks to know that he's hurt! FUCK!!!FallRate Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cameramonkey 0 #7 June 17, 2002 He will be out of it thanks to pain meds. I'd give him a call at home later this afternoon/eve. give him a chance to relax. Might be better to email him so he can rest. MSN:skygilligan@hotmail.comAIM:skydiverindyICQ:7637979Yahoo:skygilligan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #8 June 17, 2002 Quote From what he remembers, as he landed into the wind about 200 feet downwind of a treeline (winds averaging 15-18mph) he apparently hit a rotor, which abruptly dropped him onto his back. Out of curriosity, anyone know how he was loading his reserve?I'm glad to hear his injuries will heal_Am.ICQ: 5578907MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfeYahoo IM: ametcalf_1999 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mountainman 0 #9 June 17, 2002 Heal fast, Jason!What luck, huh? You just get your new canopy, and one week later you can't fly it for awhile. Well, I guess you have something to work towards, eh? See you back in the air. JumpinDuo.com...news, pictures, skydiving and links. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cameramonkey 0 #10 June 17, 2002 Quote Out of curriosity, anyone know how he was loading his reserve?Fairly high but I cant say how high. I really should know. when I saw the reserve, it seemed pretty small. For fun, we did a team weigh-in the day before with full gear, but I dont remember how much he weighed in at. All I can say for sure is its DEFANITELY not 1.0.I am sure he'll be on in the next day or two as he recouperates and we can ask him. MSN:skygilligan@hotmail.comAIM:skydiverindyICQ:7637979Yahoo:skygilligan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FallRate 0 #11 June 18, 2002 By the way, I hope they don't remove any of Jay's limbs or organs. I wouldn't like to trust my health to a hospital in that backwards fucking shithole town! Oops...sorry. Personal issues creeping in there. FallRate Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jaybird 0 #12 June 18, 2002 hello everyone, thank you for your concerns here and through private email. so here goes the whole story. i was doing a two way freefly, all went well, then we broke off at 4500 feet and tracked, i dumped around 3500-3000. my main opened in diving spin. i looked up quickly, couldnt fix, saw lots of blue sky while spinning and got rid of it. my reserve, a 120 dash-m, (exit weight 200, and yes i have already heard if i had a bigger reserve i might not be broken) came out beautifully. i did a practice flare, left turn, right turn. then located a place to land. i was smack dab over some pine trees. wind was coming from the west. if i go west then i cant get back to the dz. so i go to the east of them, turn into the wind and flare. i was about 200 feet from the treeline. when i flared, about 10 feet from the ground, i hit some wierd air and it threw me flat on my back. you know, its amazing what goes through your mind at a time like this. i couldnt breath, was in extreme pain, but i thought better check to see if the fingers and toes work. they did. so then i look into the sky and i see a parachute heading back to the dz. i began to think about snow skiing, when you are hurt on the hill you take your ski poles and put them in an "x". so i spread my legs and arms thinking i would look like an "x" to whoever was flying overhead. this is when i noticed something poking me in my back. so i loosened my chest strap, and rolled to my side. when i did this, my rig fell off of that shoulder, so i thought, "hell if im gonna let those damn paramedics cut this off of me", and like a dumbass i crawled out of the rig moved about 3 feet away from it. while on my knees i looked to the road, which was nearly a mile away, and some some cars parking and people running. i must say i am very fortunate that our dz is so close because they knew instantly something was wrong. next thing i know i have half of the dz hanging out with me in this field. the first emt shows up and asked the magic question "Did you parachute open at all" so i thought i would respond with an equally absurd answer, "Oh, it wasnt that, i fell out of one of those trees over there." everyone laughed, then the sherrif shows up and asked someone the same question. so i said again. "seriously folks, i just fell out of one of those trees." well, i to ride in an ambulance for the first time (beer), and lay in bed for 5 hours WITHOUT any pain medication before they figured out what was wrong. and here it is. i broke my back. i have a fracture of the T7 vertebrae (sp), i have a funky brace that i have to wear for 3 months, which means, i cant jump for three months. i will still be out at the dz every weekend doing other things, maybe teaching some classes, or working in manifest. when i get back i will owe about an entire keg of beer, first reserve,.injury, ambulance, first to use our new first aid kit. and im sure the list goes on. anyway, i am fine, i am in good spirits thanks to all of my friends and family. i am really lucky that i can walk, so im not really worried about not jumping for a few months. thank you fallrate for calling this morning, i got the message. thank you wyatt for the vodka(yeah, he smuggled it into the hospital, but i we didnt drink any yet), thanks roy, randy, leah, tom, barry, ann, scott, eric, my mom and my brother, and anyone else that i may have missed for visiting me. and thanks to jaimie, the dzo and my best friend, for sitting there all night with me. i cant wait to see you all again soon. blue skies, and soft windsjason Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #13 June 18, 2002 Get well soon dude!!! For a broken back it doesn't sound like it was all that bad. Luck shined on you. "Here I come to save the BOOBIES!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #14 June 18, 2002 Hang in there Jason! Be glad you only have to wear the stupid brace for a few months; I know how much they suck. Be religious about doing PT - you'll be glad you did when it's time to take the stupid thing off and get back in the air.Enjoy the drugs! pull & flare,lisa"Try not. Do or do not. There is no try." - Yoda sez Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jceman 1 #15 June 18, 2002 Quote Be religious about doing PT - you'll be glad you did when it's time to take the stupid thing off and get back in the air.Enjoy the drugs! Listen to Lisa. You're work in PT will have a direct role in your recovery in all ways. Take care. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
