Plummet 0 #1 March 31, 2003 I made a complete skydive today, blindfolded !! Bored skydivers on a weather hold ......... Those words hold as much promise as “No shit, there I was. Thought I was gonna die ........” Yesterday, waiting for blue sky that never came, one of our instructors was relating how bringing in a student on the radio was just like flying himself in and that the student may as well be blind. One thing led to another and here I am today, making a skydive blindfolded. I want to stress that this wasn’t done purely on a whim. There was much thought and planning put into the execution of the jump. For me, skydiving is taking something that is inherently unsafe and making it safe as possible. I took a pair of goggles and completely covered them with electrical tape. I was not able to see anything with them on. The instructor and I talked at length about the jump and all of the possibilities. The number one consideration was that I could bail at any point in time simply by pulling down the opaque goggles and carry on with a normal skydive. All of the possible “what ifs” were discussed and it was determined that the jump was doable and survivable. I jumped from 5’000’ wearing a student Manta. I picked the altitude because that would give me plenty of time in case something went wrong on the hop-n-pop. It also allowed Tom to see me from exit to the ground. I wanted the Manta because the really “iffy” part of things was going to be the landing (Duh !) and that would probably give me my best range of acceptable landings. I spotted the C182 and then donned my special goggles and helmet. I asked the pilot for the door and he (I later found out) nodded yes. I asked him again and this time he answered me. I checked with the guy who was “jumpmastering” me. He thought the spot was a tad long but otherwise OK. I was set to go. I dived out and had no problem getting stable. I took about a 3 second delay and then reached for ripcord. I consciously did not do this automatically, I wanted to make sure that I grabbed the ripcord and not try to find a hackey that wasn’t there. No problem. The canopy opened and I quickly stuffed the ripcord away. One of the steps I thought might be a problem was finding the toggles. After I was pretty sure that I was under a functioning canopy, I slid my hands up the risers and found the toggles. I’m still jumping my winter gloves but didn’t have any trouble getting my hands in the toggles. Right about then, the radio crackled to life and Tom started to talk to me. We did plenty of turns and practice flares and determined that the canopy was performing as desired. Because I had pulled so high, there was plenty of altitude to play. Tom was diligent about keeping me informed about where I was and at what altitude I was except the one time he told me I was “over the trees”. We jump in Wisconsin! There’s trees all over the place! It was more funny than a problem because he had to know where I was, I didn’t. I “felt” that we were close to the ground as he set me up for final. The moment of truth was close at hand. Tom gave me the “wait......... wait ........ wait .............. FLARE !!” command and I did. It came faster than I had anticipated. My flare was a little weak and I hit the ground before I was through flaring. I didn’t see it coming so my body was relaxed. As soon as my heels impacted, I did my version of a PLF and I was down. I ended up sitting on my butt and was not hurt in the least !! YEEEEEEEEEEEEEE HAAAAAAAAAAAAAA !!! I couldn’t get up fast enough and so I sat there giving Tom the thumbs-up and started yelling, “I’m all right ! I’m all right !”. It was a flashback to my student days, except I was blind yet. I got up and was elated! I felt like it was my first jump all over again. I survived !! I’m still walking a couple feet off the ground. This is an example of yet another great aspect of our sport - TRUST. How many times on each jump day do we trust our very lives to another. Yes, this was an extreme example, a little more than the “fall backward and I’ll catch you” thingy. All the same, I love this sport, it is the greatest in the world! Thanks to Tom, and Mark, and the unnamed pilot. I couldn’t have done it without you. (Boy, that would rate right up there on the Darwin scale, trying it without them! ) I am not naive enough to think that I am the first to have done this. I would be interested in hearing from others that have.-Jeff. http://www.iplummet.com Common sense and common courtesy are NOT common. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyboyblue 0 #2 March 31, 2003 that's an intersting story plummet. did you and your instructor discuss malfunctions with your black goggles on? how were you to handle them? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Plummet 0 #3 March 31, 2003 The first step in any mal was to pull down the goggles. That is why I chose a higher altitude for a h-n-p. After that, any mal procedure would be the same as normal. I went through the skydive quite a bit with the goggles on, to try to envision as many scenarios as possible.-Jeff. http://www.iplummet.com Common sense and common courtesy are NOT common. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
b1jercat 0 #4 March 31, 2003 I'll hold your coat on this one buddy. blue skies Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #5 March 31, 2003 Dayum....bigger balls than me. Quick question, though. In my helmet, I have the goggle strap under it, and holding my hair in place. Having never tried to remove my goggles before I removed my helmet, would that have been possible to do? I guess you could scrabble it down, but did you try to take them down while still wearing your helmet before jumping? And I agree about the trust thing. One of the neatest aspects of this sport is that trust. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Plummet 0 #6 March 31, 2003 I wear a Protec. I always wear the goggles with the strap directly over the middle of the ear. I was taught to put it there in case the goggles fog up. Then you can pull them down without ripping your ears off. There has been more than one occasion where I've had to do that.-Jeff. http://www.iplummet.com Common sense and common courtesy are NOT common. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billdo 0 #7 March 31, 2003 Quote This is an example of yet another great aspect of our sport - TRUST. How many times on each jump day do we trust our very lives to another. Yes, this was an extreme example, a little more than the “fall backward and I’ll catch you” thingy. Most people out there can't do the "Fall backward and I'll catch you" thingy. Count yourself blessed for two reasons. One, you can give that trust. Two, you have friends who are worthy of giving it to. Props to you on this one! I did read a story in a book called The Endless Fall" by Mike Swain where he did this same thing - of course this guy was one of those hardcore round jumpers. Great book. Nice work Jeff! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyboyblue 0 #8 March 31, 2003 QuoteThe first step in any mal was to pull down the goggles. I beg to differ on that one. the first step in any mal is to identify one with your eyes. however, I don't want to make an arguement about it, you proved your point by making the jump work. not sure I could do that with too many people on the radio. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyboyblue 0 #9 March 31, 2003 and just out of curiosity, if you did have a mal and had to cutaway, would you have left your goggles on? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Plummet 0 #10 March 31, 2003 The plan all along was to ditch the goggles at the first sign of trouble. But, when we were discussing it, Tom did say something to the effect that if I was under a reserve he would assume that I had removed the goggles and would quit talking. -Jeff. http://www.iplummet.com Common sense and common courtesy are NOT common. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
weid14 0 #11 March 31, 2003 I know a guy who did this to get ready to take a blind guy on an AFF jump. Things worked out pretty well for him on the practice jump, and the blind dude did pretty good in the air. They had worked out a system for signals based on touch during the skydive. pretty cool stuff. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fab 0 #12 March 31, 2003 Are you talking about a real blind guy weid14? If so that's totally irresponsible. which fruitcake would let a blind man make an AFF jump. Too many things can go wrong. Tandem, ok..but AFF, I don't think so.. _______________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ladyskydiver 0 #13 March 31, 2003 Many hugs to you, Plummet! Glad to see you're in one piece, and that Tom had some fun with you ("over the trees" ). Sorry to have missed that dive, but I needed to take off yesterday. Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
weid14 0 #14 March 31, 2003 yup a real blind guy... years ago. of course people jumping rounds said people jumping squares were fruitcakes, too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ladyskydiver 0 #15 March 31, 2003 Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't there a few skydivers that are blind and currently skydiving?Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jceman 1 #16 March 31, 2003 Quote Are you talking about a real blind guy weid14? If so that's totally irresponsible. which fruitcake would let a blind man make an AFF jump. Too many things can go wrong. Tandem, ok..but AFF, I don't think so.. Got to google and do a search on rec.skydiving for Dan Rossi. He is a skydiver with several hundred jumps. He is totally blind and has been since before he started to skydive. The best way to search for him is to use his signature line "Flare when you hear the crickets"; his stories are among the finest reasons to wade through the detritus at wreck daht. His sense of humor and his skill at telling his stories place him high in the pantheon of people in this sport I really want to meet. Irresponsible? I think not. Irresponsible is placing one's expectations and values on another's decisions in life with no consideration. Faster horses, younger women, older whiskey, more money. Why do they call it "Tourist Season" if we can't shoot them? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tspillers 0 #17 March 31, 2003 Several years ago we did this. I shot video. The freefall skydive was blindfolded as well. There were 2 safety jumpers for the freefall and I myself (AFF I) with a camera. The dive went well. The guy was a nut to begin with, but it was well planned and thought out. Todd I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 2,990 #18 March 31, 2003 >Are you talking about a real blind guy weid14? If so that's totally > irresponsible. which fruitcake would let a blind man make an AFF > jump. I would. I know two blind jumpers (Dan Rossi and Blind John) who skydive; they understand and accept the risks. As long as they understand they have a much higher risk of getting injured or killed than other jumpers, what's the problem? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sinker 0 #19 March 31, 2003 My friend's father was blinded in Vietnam by shrapnel from a land mine. A few years back, he got this wild hair to do a static line. Went to the S&TA and everyone else (in Alabama) and they said no way no how. So he went to Texas where he got permission to do it. Wide open spaces, did the static line (not sure how long the delay was) and had a not so graceful face plant landing under a big fluffy 7-cell. All on video to, very very funny. He's a crazy mo-fo. -the artist formerly known as sinker Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyingferret 0 #20 March 31, 2003 Thanks for sharing, that is really very cool. I would love to try that someday. Sounds like an excellent exercise to demonstarte trust and it would also be huge rush just like your first jump. My only questionalbe moment would be determining the status of the canopy at deployment, but that could be dealt with. Maybe a flyby of another jumper, or a quick peek from the googles. I think the flight with the googles would be the most interesting part.-- All the flaming and trolls of wreck dot with a pretty GUI. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,444 #21 March 31, 2003 Another reason for the radio -- a gross check is done by the radio talker, and a "how does it feel" check by the jumper. Remember if you're actually blind, you have to depend on that anyway, and not a quick check. A good reason for using a fairly docile canopy that's not anywhere close to overloaded, and making sure it's in good shape before starting (i.e. check the brake lines, etc.) Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fab 0 #22 March 31, 2003 Ok...Let me rephrase my post... I can't imagine that you would be allowed up there. Doom scenarios like a spinning mal and handles dislodged pops in to mind..you can't see if you have a good canopy overhead...flying into powerlines or ...etc. What do you do if your radio suddenly doesn't work? ***I would. I know two blind jumpers (Dan Rossi and Blind John) who skydive; they understand and accept the risks. As long as they understand they have a much higher risk of getting injured or killed than other jumpers, what's the problem? *** Personnally I find the additional risk too great..But it doesn't matter what I think. I don't have a problem with it if he is ok with it. On the other hand...if he's blind he can't see where he steers. What if he flies into someone else his canopy? Then it's not just about him anymore. You can use the argument..yes but he has a radio. I think nobody should rely on a radio to guide them to the ground. I have respect for those that skydive despite the fact that they are blind, but I still think too many things can go wrong. My opinion is that it's irresponsible but that's just me..You have a right to think otherwise of course Here in holland you really can't make a jump if you are blind (except for a tandem). You have to be medically and mentally ok. A physician has to clear you to go up there. With no sight you are definitly grounded. _______________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dreamsville 0 #23 March 31, 2003 As Bozo would say, "Yesireeneedee!". It's much easier if you don't have to wonder WHICH WAY to kick out of what you THINK is a line twist. |I don't drink during the day, so I don't know what it is about this airline. I keep falling out the door of the plane. Harry, FB #4143 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,444 #24 March 31, 2003 QuotePersonnally I find the additional risk too great Risk management involves deciding, for each factor: Is it a risk? Can it be prevented (e.g. don't skydive) Can it be mitigated?(e.g. use a radio) Can it be accepted?(e.g. flare when you hear the crickets) It's all a matter of deciding what's worth the risk, and the answers are going to change for different people in different situations. QuoteHere in holland you really can't make a jump if you are blind (expect for a tandem). You have to be medically and mentally ok. A physician has to clear you to go up there. Well, this would obviously remove the need to make a decision in the first place. But there have been blind people skydiving in the USA since at least the 1960's. Not a lot, and that's probably why it's still happening -- there hasn't been an accident with publicity that made it impossible for other careful people to do it. Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fab 0 #25 March 31, 2003 ***Can it be accepted?(e.g. flare when you hear the crickets)*** what if a few birds ate all the crickets??? ***But there have been blind people skydiving in the USA since at least the 1960's. Not a lot, and that's probably why it's still happening -- there hasn't been an accident with publicity that made it impossible for other careful people to do it. *** So you're saying that if a larger number of blind people would take up skydiving it would probably be considerated dangerous and prohibited? I rest my case :) _______________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
