S&T News from USPA, 3/21/05

[livendive 8]

The second item is a little troubling. Unrated jumpers doing AFF - bad. Those same jumpers doing single JM AFF - Worse. And doing it when it's their students first non-tandem jumps - well that just bad freakin' juju.

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SAFETY & TRAINING NEWSLETTER
A Bulletin for the training community
Vol. 5, Issue 3
March 21, 2005


SAFETY DAY REPORTS
USPA will report on safety day activities in the May issue of Parachutist magazine. Drop zones are encouraged to submit reports on the day's activities by March 25, 2005, for inclusion in the May issue. Drop zones holding the event on a later date may submit a report to be published in the June issue, provided space is available in the magazine.

USPA is also very interested in receiving reports about the new Chesley H. Judy Safety Award. Each drop zone that presented a Judy award to one of their local jumpers should submit the recipient's name, drop zone, and the reason the individual was selected to receive the award. These reports will also be included in the May issue of Parachutist and should be submitted by March 25, 2005.

Both reports may be sent via email to communications@uspa.org.


PROPERLY RATED INSTRUCTORS
USPA has received reports of improperly rated instructors performing harness-hold jumps, working with students who have completed a series of tandem jumps in a tandem progression training program. This type of training typically has the student perform anywhere from 2-5 tandem skydives, followed by training jumps using a solo parachute system while jumping with only one instructor. These solo jumps require that the instructor hold a current USPA AFF Instructor rating until the student can "exit safely, maintain stability and deploy at the proper altitude without assistance" BSR 2-1 E.4.b.2. Tandem progression training requires that the tandem instructor hold a USPA Tandem Instructor rating. Tandem "Parachutists in Command" who have completed an FAA approved manufacturers tandem course, may only perform introductory tandem skydives, according to the Basic Safety Requirements.

POOR START
After two years with relatively few fatalities, 2005 has started off with an alarming eight skydiving fatalities so far. In 2003 and 2004 there was only one fatality each year up until April or May. Hopefully, last week's USPA Safety Day activities will help jumpers get back to the basics with emergency procedures practice and learning more about canopy flight. Those two categories continue to be the biggest problem areas every year. Instructors, S&TAs, and DZO's should be looking for new and different ways to help jumpers continue to stay prepared for emergency procedures. Instructors, S&TAs and DZOs are encouraged to keep jumpers on larger parachutes longer and promote additional training prior to downsizing. USPA can provide plenty of support with the information found in Section 4, 5 and 6 of the Skydiver's Information Manual. USPA plans to continue to develop new and better ways to train jumpers and keep them informed so they may have a long, enjoyable skydiving career. Of course, USPA is always open to new ideas and suggestions, so send them along to safety@uspa.org

The busy skydiving season (for most of the US, anyway) is just around the corner. Let's do all we can to have a safe and successful 2005 season. It all starts with getting back to the basics.

Blues,
Dave

"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!"
(drink Mountain Dew)

[Hooknswoop 19]

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PROPERLY RATED INSTRUCTORS
USPA has received reports of improperly rated instructors performing harness-hold jumps, working with students who have completed a series of tandem jumps in a tandem progression training program. This type of training typically has the student perform anywhere from 2-5 tandem skydives, followed by training jumps using a solo parachute system while jumping with only one instructor. These solo jumps require that the instructor hold a current USPA AFF Instructor rating until the student can "exit safely, maintain stability and deploy at the proper altitude without assistance" BSR 2-1 E.4.b.2. Tandem progression training requires that the tandem instructor hold a USPA Tandem Instructor rating. Tandem "Parachutists in Command" who have completed an FAA approved manufacturers tandem course, may only perform introductory tandem skydives, according to the Basic Safety Requirements.

When I told a RD about this exact scenario, her reponse was, "What do you want me to do, take away a rating he doesn't have?" USPA picks and chooses if and when they do anything about BSR violations.

Derek

[AggieDave 6]

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USPA picks and chooses if and when they do anything about BSR violations.

From what I've noticed, reports go unchecked or atleast the USPA doesn't do anything until something serious happens. In the instance of a fatality nearly 2 years ago, a jumper (non-rated and acting as the SL-I on a 5-second delay jump in which the student died) lost her USPA membership for a while and the supervising head instructor/DZO lost his membership for 3 years.

Although they could still jump at non-USPA DZs, there aren't a whole lot of them around.

Although some would see this as a slap on the wrist and since the USPA isn't going to do anything to a DZ's GM due to the amount of money involved, its atleast something they *could* investigate and do in these sorts of instances.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[bodypilot1 0]

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PROPERLY RATED INSTRUCTORS
USPA has received reports of improperly rated instructors performing harness-hold jumps, working with students who have completed a series of tandem jumps in a tandem progression training program. This type of training typically has the student perform anywhere from 2-5 tandem skydives, followed by training jumps using a solo parachute system while jumping with only one instructor. These solo jumps require that the instructor hold a current USPA AFF Instructor rating until the student can "exit safely, maintain stability and deploy at the proper altitude without assistance" BSR 2-1 E.4.b.2. Tandem progression training requires that the tandem instructor hold a USPA Tandem Instructor rating. Tandem "Parachutists in Command" who have completed an FAA approved manufacturers tandem course, may only perform introductory tandem skydives, according to the Basic Safety Requirements.

When I told a RD about this exact scenario, her reponse was, "What do you want me to do, take away a rating he doesn't have?" USPA picks and chooses if and when they do anything about BSR violations.

Derek

IMO, A USPA GM drop zone that has skydivers doing this, and are caught doing this, should have their GM revoked and the skydiver should be banned from USPA for life.


Be safe.
Ed

www.WestCoastWingsuits.com
www.PrecisionSkydiving.com

[billvon 2,991]

>IMO, A USPA GM drop zone that has skydivers doing this, and are
>caught doing this, should have their GM revoked and the skydiver
>should be banned from USPA for life.

OK, so they do this. The DZ keeps training people, using phrases like "the safest DZ in Nebraska" and "the only DZ in Nebraska with WSA safety certification." Every time that jumper in question wants to jump somewhere else, he just fills out a USPA application and mails it in; most DZ's accept that in lieu of a USPA membership.

What have you changed?

[AggieDave 6]

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OK, so they do this. The DZ keeps training people, using phrases like "the safest DZ in Nebraska

A good number of DZs on city airports require being a GM DZ to operate due to the city's requirements. So do some AC insurance polices, so it is possible and actually likely that it could hurt a DZ by loosing the GM standing.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[bodypilot1 0]

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What have you changed?

Though I personally think the whole USPA GM program is just for advertising, many people think it will make them safer.
Any drop zone, whether it has a Group Membership or NOT, is only going to be as safe as THEY make it.
I have seen blatant BSR violations at both GM drop zones and non GM dz's.
If the DZ, as a group member, isn't going to abide by the USPA BSR's, then their membership should be revoked.
Many skydiver only join USPA because they want to jump at any DZ they wish to, and alot are group members, that require you to be a member of USPA.
So maybe, by revoking the skydivers membership for life, it may make anyone else thinking of doing Instructor jumps, when not rated for them, think twice before doing them, as it will only limit what DZ's they can jump at.


Be safe.
Ed



ris It will possibly stop other DZ's from letting this happen

www.WestCoastWingsuits.com
www.PrecisionSkydiving.com

[jlmiracle 7]

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should be banned from USPA for life

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OK, so they do this. The DZ keeps training people, using phrases like "the safest DZ in Nebraska" and "the only DZ in Nebraska with WSA safety certification." Every time that jumper in question wants to jump somewhere else, he just fills out a USPA application and mails it in; most DZ's accept that in lieu of a USPA membership.

What have you changed?

The DZ will no longer be affiliated with the USPA - that would change.

Those sudo-instructors probably won't instruct at another dz.

The USPA can't get sued or named in a lawsuit if they continue to conduct business in that manner, if they take action against this dz by revoking their Group Membership.

Anyone anywhere can conduct skydiving operations and anyone can act as an instructor as long as they don't break any FAA rules. It's not right, IMO, but unfortunatly it can and does happen.

J

Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

[bodypilot1 0]

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A good number of DZs on city airports require being a GM DZ to operate due to the city's requirements. So do some AC insurance polices, so it is possible and actually likely that it could hurt a DZ by loosing the GM standing.

Good point Dave.



Be safe.
Ed

www.WestCoastWingsuits.com
www.PrecisionSkydiving.com

[dropzonefool 0]

I have a question about this but it involves S/L training instead of Tandem.

S/L training, 2 safe exits, 3 PRCP's for a total of 5 s/l jumps. Then the student does a 5 second delay, and is supposed to go to a 10 second delay.

However this particular DZ takes them to the highest altitude after the 5 second delay. Two S/l instructors make a gripped exit with the student and he finishes his S/L training this way.

They do not call it AFF, since a S/L instructor may make group/linked (notice I'm not calling it harness-hold) exits with students, just cant pull for the student. After the student has been cleared to freefall, ANY Instructor may jump with this student.

Although the question lies upon what is ethical, can any of you point out any rules that would contridict this style or meathod? Thank you.

[livendive 8]

Good question. For the most part it sounds almost legit, however I'd get rid of the semantics argument (linked versus harness-hold) and go with Section 2-1(E)(4)(c):

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All students must jump under the direct supervision of an appropriately rated USPA Instructor until demonstrating stability and heading control prior to and within five seconds after initiating two intentional disorienting maneuvers involving a back-to-earth presentation. [E]

We all know what "harness-hold" looks like, whether that's what it's called or not. I'd say that the quoted rule limits "linked exits" to AFF-rated instructors until the student has progressed beyond their backloops (or other disorienting maneuver). The S/L instructors in question might be able to rationalize the program to themselves, but I doubt it'd pass the "ho-ho" test in front of the BOD if/when they consider disciplinary action.

Blues,
Dave

"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!"
(drink Mountain Dew)