Safe Landings

[paddyFrenchman 0]

Hi all,
I just thought I'd share this with you:
Last week we had an accuracy competition on the DZ. All levels welcome to join in.
A few of the guys had never tried it before and got briefed beforehand.
Unfortunately, one of them was so focused on the target that he completely forgot about safety, landed in a quite peculiar way and broke his wrist. That is (for me) a stupid accident.
Even though it was done in a relaxed manner, this accuracy meet wat still a competition. People are pushing the limits for the sake of prooving they are the best and they make mistakes. I took up skydiving because it was purely fun. I never understood the need for competition in skydiving.
Stay Safe.
Paddy.

[xAer0 0]

Erm,I wouldn't know, but maybe he didn't forget about safety on purpose.Probably he just became another victim of the horserace trap...I have, and I'm sure many of us have...He probably was so focused on the target that he forgot about his environment, which is dangerous! I was so focused on the target that I didn't realise that the sashays put me in a crosswind course instead of the upwind I should be!Well, I realised it when I flared and felt the canopy turning.Well, no big deal under a Raven IV (280 sq.ft) , but at least it taugh me a lesson about my canopy awareness...
I just hope he learned from his mistake, I think I did from mine!
Don't pull low, unless you are afraid of heights!
Tefkros

[quade 4]

Target fixation is not uncommon even amongst those working on their Pro Ratings.
It's wierd to watch very experienced people that are normally very good canopy pilots hammer in because they're watching the dead center a little too intently.
It happens though, so just be careful.
Paul
futurecam.com/skydive.html

[Watcher 0]

Did you still hit the target ? or did the crosswind blow you to the side?
Jonathan