Implications/viability of tandem pax/student with bad knee

[grue 1]

Hey meat haulers!

Buddy of mine wants to do a tandem but blew his ACL out a few months ago. He's currently functional and is going to get a reconstruction done but isn't going to bother until early next year because it's not really affecting him all that much right now, whereas the downtime from surgery would.

He's a bigger guy, 230lbs or so, so (based on observation) that would normally be a slide-in landing anyway, yes?

Given that, would those of you who actually deal with students on a regular basis advise waiting until after he's recovered from the surgery next year, or would it generally be acceptable to you if a student wanted to jump in these circumstances?

cavete terrae.

[BIGUN 1,296]

>>>>>>>Buddy of mine wants to do a tandem but blew his ACL out a few months ago. He's currently functional and is going to get a reconstruction done but isn't going to bother until early next year because it's not really affecting him all that much right now, whereas the downtime from surgery would.

Morning, Grue. Well, even the best tippy toe landing could cause too much weight to be put on the ACL... Is it really worth it if he puts his foot down and damages it again prior to reconstruction? Would that cause another year long delay in his reconstructive surgery or worse?

EDIT: Spelling

Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

[Rover 11]

I ripped my ACL in 1995 and have done 5000 plus jumps without surgery since - no worries. Strap it, lift up the legs and slide it in - should be sweet!

2 wrongs don't make a right - but 3 lefts do.

[vpegyed 0]

I tore my ACL a couple of years ago, did a tandem last year and then completed aff and earned my A license before I got a cadaver's ACL put in and part of my meniscus removed. I just started jumping again in July after surgery in March. I would say that as long as he/she realizes the risks involved (even those out of one's control) and knows how to minimize stress on that knee regardless of the situation, go for it. But I'm no doctor haha.

Now, my injury was over a year before I made my tandem (I didn't have insurance to fix it) so I had plenty of time to adjust to having an f-ed up knee.

[phreeloader 0]

sounds like he's planning on surgery anyway, so even if the landing is biffed and he destroys it he's in the same boat!

[linebckr83 3]

A slide landing wouldn't be where any trouble would occur in my opinion. I'd say the type of airplane is more important. Things can be done to help out folks with bad knees even in the small planes, but I'd have him understand that if it's a 182, it might be a little uncomfortable in the airplane.

"Are you coming to the party?
Oh I'm coming, but I won't be there!"
Flying Hellfish #828
Dudist #52

[DougH 270]

It took a young dumb kid with a sprained ankle the other day. Just sprained, no air cast or anything like that.

I told him that I am not a doctor, I thought it was a stupid idea, and that it might hurt him while we hookup, but I didn't decline the jump because it didn't pose any apparent safety risk beyond the possibility that he could sprain it further.

He did fine except for hookup in the 182... "Hey man this really hurts my ankle". No shit, you don't say!

"The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall"
=P

[raff 4]

grue

Hey meat haulers!

Buddy of mine wants to do a tandem but blew his ACL out a few months ago. He's currently functional and is going to get a reconstruction done but isn't going to bother until early next year because it's not really affecting him all that much right now, whereas the downtime from surgery would.

Well, if he does a jump and gets hurt, will you say "But all of the DZ.com folks said it would be OK."? Exercise some common sense. OTOH, I took my 78th paraplegic for a jump last weekend without incident. I doubt your buddy is as challenged as this gentleman was. His decision, but make sure he discloses everything to the DZ and his JM if he decides to do it.

If you leave the plane without a parachute, you will be fine for the rest of your life.

[grue 1]

raff

Well, if he does a jump and gets hurt, will you say "But all of the DZ.com folks said it would be OK."?

Not a chance. I take responsibility for my own choices and encourage others to do the same. I do not, however, know much about tandems so I'm deferring to expert advice

Quote

Exercise some common sense. OTOH, I took my 78th paraplegic for a jump last weekend without incident. I doubt your buddy is as challenged as this gentleman was. His decision, but make sure he discloses everything to the DZ and his JM if he decides to do it.

Yeah that's the plan. I'll talk to the DZO next weekend, he does a lot of the tandems anyway.

cavete terrae.