Canopy control for first solo landing -- without using radios -- for deaf people?

[mdrejhon 8]

I apologize about the necessity of linking to another post -- but this IS safety related (A very SERIOUS matter indeed!)

Even if you're not deaf, please see this thread below:
http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1596849

I would like to hear safety implications about canopy control by a deaf skydiver (me!) and the use of alternative communications mechanisms, including the possibility of using a ground flagman for signalling turns and flaring.

[Andrewwhyte 1]

I just don't know the the fuss is about. I learned without a radio. I controlled the big red arrow for years before we got radios. The most important thing is to be prepared to do it yourself reguardless of the assistance type employed.

[mdrejhon 8]

Interesting. They used arrows during the pre-radio days. Didn't know about that tidbit of dropzone history.

So I should make sure to bring the flags or the cardboard arrow to the dropzone?

[phoenixlpr 0]

We used a huge yellow arrow as a backup device for radio, and table-tennis racket like stuff for ground operation....

So up-high just follow the arrow. On final follow the ground instructor: do the same movement that he shows and flare when he is imitating a flying bird :).

[Orange1 0]

We don't use radio here - we use bats (your paddles, i presume) and we only get them on our first jump. (So you learn very quickly to get yourself down safely by yourself ) Very easy to see the bats from way up high, and you should get your S's and flare perfectly if you follow the batsman. Our instructors also go over our landing pattern with an aerial photo during training, and again at the DZ itself on take-off. Use an arrow by all means if you have one, but the windsock is also quite easy to see from up high and more reliable as you can get a sense of windspeed. One of our instructors suggests losing "arrow dependency" asap as apparently they can get stuck.

Skydiving: wasting fossil fuels just for fun.

[bob.dino 1]

Yup. We have radios and arrows. The arrows are the primary mechanism, with the radios being secondary.

Once the jumper gets close to the ground we use bats to direct minor corrections and flare timing.