Aircraft Safety Tips of the Week

[diverdriver 5]

Wear your seat belt or restraining device on every take off up to 1,000 AGL. If you can't find one....don't let the pilot take off until you do. Wear it close and short. Don't have a long, looping restraint. What good is that to you in a crash? If you sit tobagon style facing the aft of the aircraft then make sure your seat belt is right next to you or in front of you. If it's behind you then you have to travel that far first before it will stop you. And then maybe your buddy behind you is the one that will take the brunt of your impact. Don't let that happen.
Always wear your helmet on take off. Make sure it is CLIPPED before take off. What use is it do you sitting on your head and not clipped in a crash? It's a placebo.
Make sure you are not holding any loose items like altimeters cuz you were too cool to put them on before getting in the aircraft. ANYTHING loose will become a projectile in a crash. Altimeters can kill.
Make sure all camera flyers/videographers fasten their helmets to their head or a belt for take off. If they don't and refuse to do it then you don't need to jump there.
Don't remove your helmet at 1,000 AGL like all the other sheep. You just got to the point where you would first consider jumping out of a troubled aircraft. Why degear yourself from being able to go RIGHT NOW out the door? Remember, the helmet is for exit too....and it may not be the most stable platform if you are HAVING to get out at 1,000 AGL.
Food for thought. Be safe.
Chris Schindler
ATP
D-19012
www.DiverDriver.com

[SkydiveMonkey 0]

"Always approach the plane from the back" is emphasised (sp?) a lot at our dz as well.
Adrenaline Junkie Skydive Monkey

[drenaline 0]

Sit still while take off or landings, keep the balance and the center of gravity in one point.
Dude I agree with you on the don't take off your helmet at 1000 AGL but man those close face helmets are like a pressure cooker (HOT) inside. I leave it on with the open face but can't do that with the full face.
"Life is full of danger, so why be afraid?"
drenaline