24 jumps, one bump, 2 fractures, ticking clock!

[flyfreesky 0]

Hi there

I'm hoping you guys can help me out with this question.

Last month I went to Spain to do my AFF, I'm UK based.

I made 24 drops but due to a nasty case of the spins took a whoping 15 dives to get past level 7.

I did 9 of my consuls so I'm one consul and a hop and pop short of my A license.

Trouble is on jump 11 I decided to experiment with landing on my ass. Not the smartest move and resulted in a fractured L1 vertebra and fractured sacrum (not that I knew at the time).

Sounds worse than it is, I did another 13 jumps, but chiropractor is advising not to jump again until 3 months after the incident.

Problem is I noticed at the DZ in Spain that a check dive was required if you hadn't jumped in the last 3 months and were below 100 jumps. On the list were other things such as retake level 7, retake levels 3, 5 and 7, or start all over again but I can't remeber what the reasons for these were.

(edited to clarify)

Can anyone tell me if these retake criteria vary from DZ to DZ or are set, and what the common periods are?

I've read of other more severe injuries and jumpers going again after only 2 months so I'm hopeful I'll be OK, just don't want to have to start over if I can avoid it.

BTW it still amazes me I can totally relax my body whilst falling at 120mph from 13500ft....took some learning and I have the film to prove it lol :D

Fly Free

Tom

[RossDagley 0]

I cant find the UK regs, but heres an extract from the SIM (USPA) and likely to be the same. I suspect you come under part 4 (and typically this might be a 'repeat' level 7 dive), but discuss it with the S&TA or CCI at the DZ you intend to jump at in the UK

Quote

A. Students

1. All students who have not jumped in 30 days or more should receive refresher training:


a. Review all standard procedures which were-or should have been-previously acquired.


(1) physical skills

(2) theoretical knowledge

b. Practice emergency procedures in a harness simulator under the guidance of a rated USPA Coach, Instructor, or Instructor Examiner.

c. A student should repeat reserve deployment training once each month until obtaining a USPA A License, including the use of a harness simulator and the pull of an actual reserve ripcord while in the training harness.

2. IAD or static-line method students on freefall status but not yet cleared for freefall self-supervision who have not jumped within the preceding 30 days should make at least one satisfactory jump in their initial training method, with a successful practice deployment, under the direct supervision of an appropriately rated USPA Instructor, before returning to freefall status.


3. IAD and static-line method students cleared to self-supervise in freefall but who have not jumped in the preceding--


(1) 30 days: should make at least one jump under the direct supervision of a USPA Instructor until demonstrating the ability to start and stop turns, maintain altitude awareness, and maintain stability during deployment

(2) 60 days: should make at least one satisfactory jump in their initial training method, with a successful practice deployment, under the direct supervision of an appropriately rated USPA Instructor, before returning to freefall status

4. AFF students cleared to self-supervise in freefall but who have not jumped in the preceding 30 days should make at least one jump and demonstrate the ability to start and stop turns, maintain altitude awareness, and the ability to maintain stability during deployment, with a currently rated AFF Instructor.

[flyfreesky 0]

Thanks Ross

I now know to expect at least a check dive...not so bad...and probably wise i guess if it does end up 2-3 months gap between jumps.

Off topic but how are you finding the openings on your Pilot 188? You have exactly the rig I'd be buying if I was gonna get one right now. Just curious as have read that the Sabre isn't the only canopy with a hard opening rep at the mo'

[RossDagley 0]

Quote

Thanks Ross

I now know to expect at least a check dive...not so bad...and probably wise i guess if it does end up 2-3 months gap between jumps.

Off topic but how are you finding the openings on your Pilot 188? You have exactly the rig I'd be buying if I was gonna get one right now. Just curious as have read that the Sabre isn't the only canopy with a hard opening rep at the mo'

Well, its kinda like this

I dont know about my openings! I've owned that rig since the end of June when i got it in Florida. I didn't jump it out there as I was doing AFF on student gear. Once I progressed, I stayed on the student gear due to low jump numbers, and a big difference in canopy size (280 student gear <> 188 pilot). I brought the rig back and was supposed to put my first jump on it on Sunday just gone, but the damn thing hasn't got an RSL so I couldn't jump it! My rigger is fitting one this week, and I'll be jumping it Thursday, weather permitting. (thats how I know about the currency thing - I'll be doing a level 7 "repeat" myself)

However! Pine (DeLands senior instructor) did jump my rig and although it swamped him (he's a little guy and I'm not(!) and my rigs a left handed throw out he managed to stay alive He said the opening was "beautiful" - his words. Nice and soft apparently. However, I'll let you know on Friday presuming everything goes according to plan

[FrogNog 1]

How much money will starting over cost?
How much money will reinjuring your spine cost?

(Optionally, repeat comparison for "time cost" and "potential for permanent injury".)

-=-=-=-=-
Pull.

[flyfreesky 0]

Quote

How much money will starting over cost?
How much money will reinjuring your spine cost?

(Optionally, repeat comparison for "time cost" and "potential for permanent injury".)

Absolutely point taken Frognog and not going to put money ahaead of my wellbeing.
I did inadvertertently manage to put another 13 jumps in while I was away not getting the full check over until I got back.
For that reason I'm thinking I'll be ready quicker than 3 months but if it doesn't feel right I won't go up that's for sure.

Cheers

Tom