Sitfly & Ouch

[jfields 0]

(This is a little more narrative than necessary for the forum, because I just copied it from my website.)
6/9/2002
Since the DZ was running an advanced skills camp that I wasn't qualified or pre-registered for, there weren't too many fun jumpers around the DZ. I finally found someone that didn't have a jump plan and started talking. Josh usually freeflies, something I hadn't done before. After some discussion, we decided that I'd try sitflying.
He explained a lot to me and we agreed on our dive plan. Basically, he was going to exit after me and just watch me do my flailing chicken sitfly imitation. The couple definite parts of the plan were keep the fall rate up and not chicken out and go my belly early. The other part was that I was to stop my attempts and slow down at 6000'. I was dressed like I usually do to do clear n' pulls from altitude: tennis shoes, shorts, t-shirt, altimeter, my goggles over my Pro-Tec. The only difference was that I was wearing a long-sleeved shirt this time.
The loading and ride to altitude were completely uneventful. I was going to try to exit into a sit, by having my back to the props and butt kind of down. I took a long time in the door, because as I tried to get into the right position, I kept blowing around more than a RW floater would. Finally, I just said "screw it" and left. Josh was the last person out of the plane, following right behind me.
I won't go into all the details of the skydive. Needless to say, I never really got into a stable sitflying position. To my credit, I didn't wuss and flip to my belly early. I did a lot of spinning, flipping and chipping, but started to get a feel for how it worked. It must have been hilarious to watch.
The interesting and slightly scary part came at 6000'. During my transition back to my belly for slow-down, I ended up going vertical for a moment. My goggles totally lost their seal and came away from my face, which caused my eyes to tear and my contacts to get all screwed up. Basically, I couldn't see anything.
I knew I still had a decent amount of altitude, but I also knew I was burning it up quick. There was probably plenty of time to cup some air and slow down, but without being able to see my altimeter, I didn't feel comfortable delaying. So I pitched out my PC anyway, from what my Pro-Track later said was a speed of about 170.
To say the least, the opening was "brisk." I really noticed the difference in opening shock, although it still wasn't as bad as many T-10 openings I had. I went through a careful controllability check and looked at all the line attachment points. Everything looked good and it flew fine. Then I noticed I had a reasonable amount of blood coming from my nose. Damn.
The pattern and landing were fine, with a nice flare and stand-up. I just tried to keep the blood off the canopy as I gathered it up for the walk back to the loft. I'm also going to have decent pair of bruises right above both armpits, below my shoulders.
Notes to self for freeflying:
Goggles under helmet.
Tighten goggle straps.
Give plenty of altitude to slow down before deployment.
Double-knot shoelaces. (Both came undone.)
Justin

[jfields 0]

60 views of this thread and not one person has chimed in to say, "Yes, Justin, you are an idiot." This is the kindest silence I've seen.
I was certain some particular, unnamed folks would make a comment or two.
Justin

[freeflir29 0]

Quote

I was certain some particular, unnamed folks would make a comment or two.

Well....kinda like Merricks fiasco....this one seems to be self critiqueing...."Here I come to save the BOOBIES!"

[MarkM 0]

I don't really see where the idiot factor is in this story. He was doing something new, didn't panic when it wasn't going perfect, and when he lost the ability to determine altitude he deployed rather than wait for things to get better.

[jfields 0]

Quote

I don't really see where the idiot factor is in this story.

I see my idiot factor as mostly all happening before the jump. Poor pre-dive planning. During the jump, I did what I needed to do to get a parachute over my head with plenty of altitude to land it, even if it wasn't gracefully done.
Justin

[Lindsey 0]

I don't know.....I think if I had just gone through 6 grand, I might get out of the standing position before dumping.....just my $.02.
Please accept this in the spirit of love in which it is offered....
Peace~
Lindsey
Ya' know Smack-water Jack he bought a shotgun
'cause he was in the mood for a little con-fron-ta-tion

[jfields 0]

I said:

Quote

Notes to self for freeflying:
...
Give plenty of altitude to slow down before deployment.
...

So, I actually agree with you. It might have been good to take just a few seconds to cup air and decelerate. It was just a situation where I was having gear issues and I decided not to take any time messing with it. I don't regret what I did, but I might do it a little differently should it ever happen again.
Justin

[Jessica 0]

Quote

Double-knot shoelaces. (Both came undone.)

This is the most dangerous thing I see in your post, personally. You really, really don't want shoelaces streaming loose when you're trying to deploy. I check my shoelaces in the plane a bunch of times along with my chest strap and handles and stuff.
Otherwise, way to get vertical.

[freeflir29 0]

I tuck my shoelaces underneath all the others. I don't want any snag hazards flying around. Especially on my feet near my PC, lines, and D bag during deployment. Not a problem I want to experience.
"Here I come to save the BOOBIES!"

[PhreeZone 20]

How about on toe docks in a sit having the wind tie your flapping shoe laces to the other persons shoe laces?
If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will....

[PhillyKev 0]

In reply to:
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Double-knot shoelaces. (Both came undone.)
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I did the same thing this past weekend. Forgot to double knot. The little plastic ends beat the hell out of my legs. Had red marks all over them. Luckily I didn't lose either shoe on deployment.
cielos azules y cerveza fría
-Kevin