in reply to: Tube jumping how-tos

[Levin 0]

Gearing Up for Foot Attachment:

A release system, either 2 or 3 rings, is recommended for foot-attached tubes. For a one-piece jumpsuit I put the cutaway handle on my chest strap. To do this I make my chest strap tight but not too tight. I roll the excess strap and secure it with the elastic excess chest strap holder. I insert the cables in between the chest strap and the excess strap. This is where rolling the excess strap will help keep the tube cutaway handle tight and in place. I run the cables ventrally down the zipper of the jumpsuit and route them thru the leg straps. To do that I route the cable medial to the leg strap buckle in between the anterior part of the thigh and the posterior part of anterior leg strap. From there I run the cables medially down the legs and route the cables thru the ankle cuffs. ** Note, the manufacturer of my tube recommends a 2-piece suit with cutaway handle attached to the waistband.
The ankle straps for my tube are about 3 feet long with plastic buckles on each end. They are designed to be figure 8’d around the foot and ankle. To do this place the strap upside down on the ground and step on it so that the ring(s) are medial and the strap runs inferior to the transverse arch of your foot. Pick up the strap on the lateral side and lay it across your foot superiorly. Then wrap posterior around the ankle and bring back around the superior part of foot. This is where mine buckles.
To prepare the tube itself I recommend either rolling it or flaking it. Flaking it is quickest. Rolling it will help keep it from blowing around in the plane when the door is open. There should be a couple of Velcro straps to help keep it secure.
Ride to Altitude:
I make most all my jumps from Texas’ Fastest Super Otter. For this particular plane I usually prefer (depending on how far up front the group is) to sit in the back by the door. The extra room is helpful for connecting the tube. Problem with sitting up front on the bench (after one foot is connected) is that the diameter of the tube is a little less than the distance I need to raise my other foot off the floor to connect it to the tube. This means I almost always have to put my feet in someone’s lap or balance myself entirely on my butt while I am leaning over and connecting the tube to my other foot. And once both feet are connected, it’s a long duck walk to the door.
Whenever the door is open make sure the tube is secure so that it does not get loose in the plane.
Exit:
I haven’t really experienced a whole lot with different exits. Since most of my tube jumps are with larger groups I prefer a train exit. This gets a large percentage of the jumpers on the outside of the door. Since everybody gives the go ahead via a shake to the jumper in front of them, this gives me a good long count so that I can be ready. The train exit tends to be a little slow at first before it breaks. This gives me just the time I need to reach the other jumpers without having to dive to hard.
While in the door make sure the tube remains secure to prevent a premature tube deployment. Also make sure that the Velcro straps are released prior to exit. If not the ring may bend depending on how strong the Velcro is and what the ring is made of. And on the exit be careful not to pitch the tube in another jumper’s face.
Freefall:
You must be able to fly your column before you can fly a tube.
I find that it takes a little bit of concentration to fly a foot-attached tube. When flying the tube it does not feel like there is much resistance to the air, but there is enough drag to slow you down a little. With the legs connected fall rate is controlled entirely by the arms. Since the legs are connected maneuverability is also decreased. I find that my tube configuration induces forward drive. I believe the reason is the attachment points medial to the transverse arch of the foot instead of the heel. The tube points my toes toward the sky. This bends my legs and causes a slight forward drive. I counter this by bringing my legs forward.
Given the added complications that come with flying a tube, it is important that the tube jumper remains aware of the jumpers in his group and what is going on during the skydive.
Break Off:
When jumping a tube I prefer a slightly higher break off altitude of about 5500- 6000’agl. In order to avoid the tube jumper blindly tracking into another jumper, I recommend the group breaking off high while the tube jumper turns 360° turns while looking out in front to make sure everybody tracks away and while watching the sky to make sure that their airspace is clear. One their airspace is clear it is safe to go to the belly (or track away if multiple tubes) and prepare for the deployment.
Deployment:
The proper body position for a foot attached tube is in a slight flat track with legs extended and feet pointed in such a way that the ring of the tube is at a 45° angle to the ground. With the ring of the tube at a 45° angle to the ground, air enters it and blows the 1st foot of tube away from the jumper at a 45° angle. This positions the tube almost ½ foot behind the jumpers feet. As the canopy reaches line stretch and the jumper is lifted up in the harness, the legs are swung down and sometimes out in front of the jumper. As the legs swing downward, the tube is pulled down and away from the jumper’s canopy.
Proper body position for a hand held deployment is to hold the tube out in front and lye as flat as possible with no horizontal movement. As you are lifted in your harness, yank down hard on the tube with the arm fully extended. This will pull the tube down, out and away from the canopy. The best way to keep the tube as far from your deploying canopy as possible is to have your arm fully extended and your hand level with your chest. If your hand is higher or lower than your chest, then the distance between the tube and canopy will be less. If the tube is being held to high then this may put the jumper in a head high position on deployment. If this happens the tube may go directly up the line set and bounce off the slider. Whenever this happens the tube almost always wraps around one side of the lines. Deploying with the tube going up the line set could cause friction burns on the tube from the lines.
In case of a malfunction or emergency the correct emergency procedure is to cut-away or release the tube first. Then release the main canopy.
Under Canopy:
Under canopy I prefer to release the tube from one foot. This frees up the feet for landing. If you are sit flying with it simply hang the handle from your foot.
Hard snappy toggle turns can induce line twist. Avoid these maneuvers with a tube. The tube may complicate things in an emergency situation.
Some people may prefer to release their tube just prior to landing. If you choose to do this be careful not to drop it over the main landing area or the high speed landing area.
Landing:
I have had no problems landing with a tube. The air keeps the tube trailing behind you until touch down. The ground keeps the tube behind you while running. Anytime you land with a tube you run the risk of stepping on the ring and bending it.