Cutaway with a fogged visor

[FeFe 0]

An incident to learn from if you're jumping in cold conditions.
We were jumping at -25C. A low-timer had a spinning mal. His Z1 visor was completely fogged/frozen, so cause of the mal was unclear. He cut away and pulled silver. He dislogged reserve ring, but did not pull is far enough, so the reserve pin was not released. Because of the frosted visor, he could not see the reserve ring not being pulled completely. Cypress saved his life, and he landed safely with his reserve ring still hanging on the cable.
In a separate incident - this time fatal - a week ago at another Russian DZ a low timer died after an extremely low cutaway (around 100meters), reserve did not have time to deploy. Investigation is underway and I do not want to speculate, but one of possible reasons why the poor guy cut away so low was that he could not read altitude because of the frosted visor.
Be careful out there.

[ltdiver 3]

I use prescription goggles, had them frost over on a big-way skydive, threw at 2,000', had a spinning mal, recognized the feel and cutaway with just enough altitude to open land my reserve safely. Was my first reserve ride to really completely unnerve me.

Breaking the cycle of events, somewhere, can be the factor that saves a life. Wasn't there a few 300-way record holders that either ripped off their visors, or their helmets, on the dive that frosted many of their visors?

Are there any other methods to prevent frosted lenses/goggles, besides waiting for warmer temperatures? (don't know, here, as most of my jumps are in warm, sunny SoCal).

ltdiver

Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

[freeflir29 0]

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Are there any other methods to prevent frosted lenses/goggles, besides waiting for warmer temperatures?

I don't know for sure but a few things I might try would be...#1 Wait as long as you can inside the aircraft before putting your helmet on to minimize the heat/moisture build up #2 Might try some anti-fog windshield treatment. Available at any auto parts store or Wal-Mart.

[Albatross 0]

I have never tried it with a skydiving helmet but when you SCUBA dive the best anti-fog agents are spit and slightly soapy water. You let the think layer of soap cover the lens and it prevents the water from fogging. I have never tried it but it might work for this as well

Chris

[drenaline 0]

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when you SCUBA dive the best anti-fog agents are spit and slightly soapy water

and a very clean mask, it is known that the grease from a unclean lens is what it makes it fog (in SCUBA, I have no idea about skydiving).

HISPA 21
www.panamafreefall.com

[drenaline 0]

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Are there any other methods to prevent frosted lenses/goggles, besides waiting for warmer temperatures? (don't know, here, as most of my jumps are in warm, sunny SoCal).

Use anti-fog agents. The litle anti-fog bottle that came with my bonehead boomerang makes wonders, do you know if they sell it individually?

HISPA 21
www.panamafreefall.com

[ltdiver 3]

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do you know if they sell it individually?

Don't think so, but you can e-mail Jeanie at helmets@boneheadcomposites.com and ask.

ltdiver

Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

[TheMonkey 0]

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Use anti-fog agents

MSR Fog Off is designed for goggles, shields, and glasses....works like a charm and very inexpensive!

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Never argue with an idiot, they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience!

[weid14 0]

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Are there any other methods to prevent frosted lenses/goggles, besides waiting for warmer temperatures? (don't know, here, as most of my jumps are in warm, sunny SoCal).

Use anti-fog agents. The litle anti-fog bottle that came with my bonehead boomerang makes wonders, do you know if they sell it individually?

there are various anti-fog spray on/wipe on things for skiing, check out a ski store near you, it's a simialr phenomenon. I wonder if a double pane visor would work (like ski goggles, they don't fog up near as much because the two layers are ventilated)