I’m not putting restrictions on this manual but it’s mainly designed for paraplegics with upper body mobility or head injury or stroke victims, that have cognitive ability to perceive and comprehend all that is taught or exercises that need to be completed in physical and mental abilities. You may require a letter from a neurological DR saying that the cognitive ability to fully comprehend what they are getting into and the dangers and possibilities and the comprehension of the waiver they will be signing (signing your life away)
Just so the awareness is there a student needs to have allot of upper body mobility and strength. So this progression is not for all disabled, it’s for disabled persons with allot of upper body control so IE: Paraplegics with upper body fine mobility are a key student this progression is aimed at the adaptive. We are not discriminating against those who don’t there just is a minimum strength and mobility with upper arms that is required as a minimum. So it will be up to the current instructor in Disabled skydiving that will assess a, persons student qualifications. Please realize there is a minimum physical ability and mental ability (awareness) required to make a safe skydive other wise I suggest doing just a tandem as a passenger for safety reasons but still getting the positive feeling of the sport.
So I’m starting a new book with the potential of a new and pioneering way that Adaptive(disabled) people can take a structured progression to skydive by themselves I was once an international skydiver but had a bad landing that put me on ground zero again. So I’m now trying to devise a way of a structured progression for adaptive (disabled) people to skydive on their own. I’m suffering from right side paralysis and some brain damage. So I’m coming from an experienced instructor in the CSPA instruction system. So I’m starting off from square one. I’m being helped into achieving my goal of being able to jump by myself again. So I’m going to write about how as an instructor that use to be and now from a disabled (Adaptive) person now.
Tandem Stage 1) the first move I will make is getting a DR’s notice that I will not have another brain injury if I’m involved in a hard parachute opening. As I had some very little brain stem damage and there is little known about brain injury’s and there affect with skydiving. Just check with your DR about outside actors IE: internal, bars or pins that may be effected on a hard landing that would effect most able body people but they may have to have a harness that is designed or set of straps that would help them get their legs up and out of the way on landing see Fig 1 for drawing of and idea for straps that works. Before my accident I had done over 200 adaptive tandems where I had to make sure the legs positions were in such a way there was no danger to the passenger in freefall or on a regular or bum slide landing. Also something that has been put in the public eye now due to an accident is the possibility of an adaptive passenger with little leg control may slip out of the harness due to a hard enough opening. So there is a modification that is out there for a student tandem harness I also have an idea for or to modify an already existing harness. Fig 2
Tandem Stage 2) The student should first take the standard first jump course for other student jumping information to fill in all questions and make sure they are ready to start with a disabled (adaptive) Progression which is very much the same in most respects but more like and eventually go to a PFF jump or AFF stage 1 after all the tandem jumps have been completed up to a proper level of awareness and ability.
Tandem Stage 3) First, jump tandem this is to determine how your body can react in freefall so always take video of the freefall and opening to see how your body reacts in freefall. If your body position is stable, in freefall as a tandem passenger good. If your legs move uncontrollably in freefall then there are ways and adjustable straps that are available to make your legs more stable in freefall examine the video and take notes on any problems there are and how to correct them. Talk to an instructor about what could appear to be some difficulties freefall. Also look at your body position on when the parachute opens and see if there is a shift of body position in the harness as you go from over 100 MPH to 0 in a matter of seconds and the forces may vary from person to person. Try to look ahead and fix some or all of the observed problems before the next jump.
Tandem Stage 4) the second tandem jump video it for sure see
if the solutions to earlier problems have been resolved in the video after the
second jump. On the second jump have the student do fake training pulls by having
a piece of paper in their harness to make a training pull and see on video if
it is preformed the correct way. Brief the student also not to try to grab or
pull anything on the tandem instructors’ harness this should be practiced
on the ground till it is like a second nature or natural movement for the adaptive
student.
Tandem Stage 5).There should be 3 repeats of the second jump
with practice pulls and video debriefing after all to see any visible things
in arm movement or freefall position to correct.
Tandem Stage 6) This the practice tandem harness should have a dummy cutaway and reserve handle so after being thoroughly briefed in the class room on a hang harness set up and practice a reserve activation procedure like a normal student would do. On opening of the tandem jump the student should do a practice pull of cutaway and reserve handle in proper order. And able to put handles into their jump suit as a normal freefall student is trained to do. If the disabled (adaptive) student can only use one arm in a fast motion such as a head or stroke victim then on the ground in the class room it should be practiced in a way that the student practices using a one arm motion for both handles sometimes difficult but with practice it will become more of a natural movement This should be determined in the hang harness on the ground before the next practice jump The Student should do at least 3 jumps this way videoed and debriefed for each jump with a qualified tandem instructor or first jump instructor. The student must prove to the tandem instructor that he/she is able to steer in a correct manner and flare the parachute at the correct moment before landing and that on at least 3 jumps the inflatable rubber butt pad used by adaptive students is properly inflated and set up by the student for landing in the proper manner
Tandem Stage 5).After proving all the actions on these jumps and it’s in the best interest and safety of the instructors and student a stage 1 PFF (AFF) can be fully trained and attempted and briefed to the student. A final written test shall be given to the student to see he/she is fully prepared and aware of what is expected the student is to complete in the PFF section of the disabled progression in skydiving. Both PFF instructors should be briefed in the disability of the student and what he/she needs to be looking for and be able to signal how to correct it in the freefall part of stage 1. The student is to be equip with a ground to student radio so that they can hear a direct instructional instructions from the ground instructor to make sure that the student does not miss all the equipment he/she has to see is fully put in place before landing as there are allot of equipment to be in place for this adaptive student must be aware of or reminded of for a safe landing after stage 1 PFF.
Tandem student Landing awareness: A well planned approach makes good landings
easier to accomplish, while most bad landings come after a poor approach. It
follows then, that working on improving a variety of approach techniques is
the first step. Control your canopy with smooth toggle movements. You may not
even realize how slow you can approach and still be safe. Its better to practice
in good conditions so that you are prepared for the worst. Most new canopies
can be flown straight in, even at very high wing-loadings, with proper technique.
If you can’t do it, you probably need to work on technique. Stay with
straight-in approaches, working on flaring technique for many jumps to obtain
the longest swoop possible before attempting any turning approaches need to
work on technique. Over a period of many jumps, find out how much you can vary
the altitude loss in a turn by using different control inputs In these experiments
you will find that some techniques will produce extremely high altitude loss
with only a moderate rate of turn (Example: Steep front riser spiral). Starting
real high and knowing many turning techniques allows you to have plenty of outs.
Try to start all your turning approaches with enough altitude to make the high
altitude loss turn safe. Choose the turning method you feel is appropriate
PFF Stage program and things a student has to achieve. After, fully passing
all Tandem freefall and equipment requirements.
Skydive Stage 1 Freefall Introduction
Done by PFF/AFF Instructor
Inst. Int.
Preparation Skills
? Physical Rehearsal
? Relaxation
? Review, In-flight & Canopy Skills
In-flight Skills
? Seating & Movement & equipment check fully
? Verbal review, Exit, Freefall, Canopy Control
? In-flight handles check
? Assisted exit (see an Instructor A/PFF)
Freefall Skills
? Stable modified exit with instructors
? Observation circle
? Altimeter use
? Main activation
Canopy Control Skills
? Canopy verification & and landing equipment set up after canopy open and
ok
? Flight control check release brakes set up legs and landing pad
? Full glide turns
? Landing technique as explained by instructor or ground to air communication
Equipment Skills
? Setting and mounting altimeter with assistance
? Main canopy activation technique
Technical Knowledge
? Unusual situations in freefall for a disabled student
Instructor__________________________________
Comments_________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Skydive Stage 2 Turns: Start and Stop
Done by PFF/AFF Instructor
Inst. Int.
Preparation Skills
? Physical rehearsal( in and out of classroom)
? Relaxation (breathing control)
? Mental Rehearsal
In-flight Skills
? In-flight handles check
? Orientation if the student can look out of the aircraft with instructor
? Observation of spotting
? Assisted exit (see an instructor A/PFF for the modified exit)
Freefall Skills
? Observation circle
? Box position, as well as straps are set up and awareness from instructors
? Arm exercise
? Leg exercise(not applicable as a paraplegic student)
? Heading control (using arm and upper body movement)
Canopy Control Skills
? Toggle spirals (after landing gear is set up and in place)
? Observation of drift
? Landing technique
Equipment Skills
? Wearing and adjusting gear as the student picks up to get familiar with this
modified student situation)
? Setting altimeter
Technical Knowledge
? Model for spotting
? Model for freefall (where it is applicable)
Instructor_____________________________________________
Comments____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Skydive Stage 3 Turns: 90? and 180?
Done by PFF/AFF Instructor
Inst. Int.
Preparation Skills
? Recall & awareness (very important)
? Mental rehearsal
In-flight Skills
? Spotting with assistance
? Exit heading control
? Verbal review
? Assisted exit (see instructor A/PFF)
Freefall Skills
? 90?-180? turns after being instructed how to utilize the students upper body
and arms to insinuate the turns
? Box position (as much as can be imitated)
Canopy Control skills
? Stall practice (all these moves are to be made after landing legs up and landing
pad is in place and secure)
? Observation of surface winds
? Landing technique (using radio communication to help instruct the student
for this modified way of landing)
Equipment Skills
? Safety check (all gear before and after so that the adaptive student comprehends
what special equipment the need to be aware of for a safe jump and landing)
? Setting audio altimeter
Technical Knowledge
? Freefall math
? Model for canopy control (straight flight, turns,
stalls)
Instructor__________________________________
Comments__________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Skydive Stage 4 Turns Figure Eight
Done by PFF/AFF Instructor
Inst. Int.
Preparation
? Mental Rehearsal
? Recall and Awareness
? Self-directed instruction
In-flight Skills
? Verbal review
? Pilot briefing
? Spotting unassisted
Freefall skills
? 360? vertical axis rotation ( using a modified technique of mostly upper body
movement)
? Altitude awareness
Canopy Control Skills
? Stall Practice (all these moves after landing gear is in place and legs are
up and locked and landing pad in place)
? Rear riser turns
? Observation of drift
? Observation of surface winds
? Landing approach
Equipment Skills
? Safety check
? Observe main packing (if this can apply or helping an instructor as much as
possible)
Technical Knowledge
? Modeling for spotting
? Model for freefall control
? Self-supervision: evaluation of progress (this will be up to the instructor
and abilities sown in the PFF program to keep a high safety slandered)
Instructor__________________________________
Comments______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_
Skydive Stage 5 Back Loops
Done by PFF/AFF Instructor
Inst. Int.
Preparation Skills
? Self-direction instruction (including extra gear briefing)
? Mental rehearsal
? Warm up
In-flight skills
? Pilot briefing
? Spotting unassisted
? exits : hanging, front float
Freefall Skills
? Altitude awareness
? Back Loops (using arm and body techniques describe by the instructor)
? Instructor should do a visual check of the attached special equipment that
all is still in place for a safe lading. A quick once over in freefall should
show any visual upcoming concerns.
? If there is a concern after the back loop exercise then the instructor needs
to land close to the ground instructor to make them aware of an up coming difficulty
the student may have and to improvise a way for the student to make a safe landing
maybe setting up so that the landing in with a catch landing by the instructors
or a safe roll landing.
Canopy Control Skills
? Rear riser turns
? Observation of drift
? Observation of surface winds
? Controlled flight line approach
Equipment Skills
? Safety checks (with all the special adaptive equipment )
? Packing assisted (where possible)
Technical Knowledge
? Model for freefall - back loops
? Theory of flight line approach
Instructor__________________________________
Comments_____________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Stage 6 Front Loops
Done by PFF/AFF instructor
Inst. Int.
Preparation Skills
? Mental rehearsal
? Self-directed instruction
? Concentration
In-flight Skills
? Spotting unassisted
? Exits: dive, rear float
Freefall Skills
? Altitude awareness
? Front loops (again using a modified technique for the adaptive student)
Canopy Control Skills
? Assessment of landing set up (this is without ground instruction but the student
will have a radio contact on every jump for safety reasons)
Equipment Skills
? Packing unassisted (when applicable)
Technical Knowledge
? Freefall control model- front loops
Instructor__________________________________
Comments______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
Skydive Stage 7 Rolls
Done by PFF/AFF instructor
Inst. Int.
Preparation Skills
? Review of all previous preparation material
? Anticipation
In-flight skills
? Spotting unassisted
? Intentional unstable exit
Freefall Skills
? Altitude awareness
? Barrel rolls (again with a modified technique for an adaptive student)
Canopy Control Skills
? Front riser turns
? Assessment of landing approach set-up
Equipment Skills
? Packing – unassisted (where applicable)
? Equipment inspection
Technical Knowledge
? Freefall control model: rolls
Instructor__________________________________
Comments______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
Skydive Stage 8 Delta/backslide
Done by PFF/AFF Instructor
Inst. Int.
Preparation skills
? Sequence preparation
In-flight Skills
? Pilot briefing
? Throw wind drift (if possible)
? Spotting unassisted
Freefall Skills
? Delta and backslides (Well backslides mostly as they will have no or limited
use of legs)
Canopy Control Skills
? Set-up with controlled
Equipment Skills
? Clearing entanglements (packing where it may apply)
? Equipment inspection
Technical Knowledge
? Emergency procedures review
Instructor__________________________________
Comments______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
Technical Information
Mack Strap © System
1) Using the ankle strap should be in place
2) Upper knee Lower thigh strap should be snug.
3) Leg lifting chest strap attachment should be secure
4) Landing Pad and Lower back support secure for freefall.
If any questions on how the Mack Strap System © should be applied and attached see instructional DVD for accurate webbing and strap application add-ons. Just a note, about the leg Mack Straps. There was an incident in Victoria BC where Richard a Para tandem passenger jack knifed out through his harness and the Mack straps he was whereing saved him from falling though the harness. So even using the leg Mack Straps on their, own can help.
By Rod Mack following the Guide lines set out by CSPA & the inventions (Mack Strap System) are fully copy written May /2007
