From: jerrys@umiacs.umd.edu (Jerry Sobieski)
Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
Subject: Frequently Asked Questions
Date: 27 Jul 92 21:20:30 GMT
Organization: UMIACS, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742

Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
Subject: Frequently Asked Questions
Summary: 
Followup-To: 
Distribution: world
Organization: UMIACS, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742
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Originator: jerrys@hyperion.umiacs.umd.edu



		    Rec.Skydiving F.A.Q. Sheet
		      Last update: 02/22/92


	PARACHUTE : An aerodynamic decelleration device. 
		(Federal Aviation Administration)


This posting constitutes a dynamic compilation of Frequently 
Asked Questions concerning the sport of skydiving, related activities, 
and the news group rec.skydiving.  
Additions, corrections, or suggestions can be posted or emailed to
jerrys@umiacs.umd.edu .

First, The news group rec.skydiving is an unmoderated group for 
the discussion of issues relating to sport skydiving.  It obviously 
is not limited to skydiving as there are many sports that share 
technology, history, common interests, and avid proponents; but these 
tend to be minor distractions for the hard core jumper:-).  News or 
events to be held, or post-event reviews are commonly posted, as are 
questions about equipment, skills, regulations, theory, etc.  And plain 
ol' remeniscing over "the good ol' days" by the old timers, and long 
exhuberent descriptions of newcomer's first jumps are posted here as well.

Skydiving is not just a sport, its a lifestyle (not to be confused
with bungee jumping which is just a sport:-)

It seems there are a great many new readers every year of rec.skydiving, 
many of which stumbled across it and found it interesting
but have never jumped.  After a time, they seem to always ask the same 
questions.  So in an effort to promote the sport, minimize redundant 
postings, and in general continue the comraderie of fellow free spirits
here is now the "Rec.Skydiving F.A.Q. Sheet".  If your question is not 
answered in this document, please feel free to post it to the net.  If 
we get tired of answering it (:-),  we'll append it to the FAQ sheet.
The information disseminated in this FAQ sheet is generally related 
to the sport within the United States.  However, much of the information
is applicable world wide as well.  If you need specifics for a given 
geographical area, post it.  Someone from that region can then reply.

The questions are not ordered in their "asking frequency".  Instead,
I have tried to order them so as to provide the information in a more 
easily understood manor.  

The Most Frequently Asked Questions are:

	-.	How does one learn to skydive?
	-.	What are the physical requirements?
	-.	What does the training consist of?
	-.	How do I tell a good Drop Zone from poor one?
	-.	What if my parachute doesn't open?
	-.	How hard is the landing?
	-.	How much does it cost?
	-.	How do you breathe in freefall?
	-.	Appendix of abbreviations (not a question)

The Answers are:


-.	How does one learn to skydive?
	------------------------------

One looks in the telephone directory (Yellow Pages) under "parachuting" 
to find a local parachuting operation - normally refered to as a 
"drop zone" (DZ).  A phone call will generally provide you with enough 
information to make arrangements to attend the First Jump Course 
and/or how to reach the DZ.  You can also call the United States 
Parachute Association (USPA, 1440 Duke St., Alexandria, VA  22314)
at (703)-836-3495 to get the name of an affiliated drop zone in your 
area.  A friend or aquaintance who has jumped previously may also 
be able to give you a recommendation.

Most DZs will offer the First Jump Course (FJC) at least once 
each weekend.  Some will offer it during the week or several times 
during the weekend.  You will need to contact your local DZ to determine 
their scheduling.  The FJC consists of about 4-6 hours of ground 
school followed by your jump - weather permitting.  

There are several different types of training you can take; Static Line,
Accelerated FreeFall, or Tandem.  They are described below in greater 
detail.  However, not all drop zones offer all these options, so you 
should ask the DZ which type(s) of training they provide.

Some drop zones have promotional videos they will sell you (~$10) that
describe the training and show you what it is all about.  Almost every
DZ these days use videos for training aids and will be glad to let 
you view them (for free!) if you stop by.  They will mail you a brochure 
and other detailed information upon request as well.

It is *your* safety at stake and *your* responsibility to look after it.
If you have reservations about making your first jump, make the effort 
to visit the DZ, check it out, meet the people and
staff.  They will be glad to see you, and you will be *much* more 
confident and comfortable having done
so, and consequently have a much better time!

-.	What are the physical requirements?
	-----------------------------------

In general, the prospective student should be in reasonably 
good physical shape, this *is* a sport afterall.  You will be required
wear 35 lbs of equipment, take opening shock, maneuver the canopy,
land, and possibly trudge great distances on foot.  You will experience
30 degree swings in temperature, atmospheric pressure changes, 
4 hours of lecture, and lots of beer.  Its grueling (:-).

But seriously, problems may arise where a prospect is too 
heavy (over ~250lbs/110kg) or if they have medical conditions 
which may impair them during the activity.  
Someone who experiences fainting spells, blackouts, or has a 
weak heart should not be jumping.  Someone with respiratory illness 
*may* have a problem due to atmospheric changes at altitude.
The better your physical condition, the more you will enjoy the 
experience.  This being said, very few people have medical or 
physical conditions which actually preclude jumping.  

Most dropzones will try to work with you.  If you have a question,
ask them, and as always, ask your doctor.  You may be surprised at 
the relatively few physical constraints involved.


-.	What does the training consist of?
	----------------------------------

The FJC teaches the student every thing they need to know to safely
make their first jump. There are several different programs 
available for first jumpers, the one you choose will depend on your 
personal preferences and circumstances.  The differences of each is 
summarized below:

	Static Line (S/L)  

This method has evolved over the last ~30 years from its military 
origins into a sucessfull method for training sport parachutists.  
The student gets 4-5 hours of ground training and is then taken to 
an altitude of 3000 feet for the jump.  The jump itself consists of 
a simple "poised" exit from the strut of a small single engine 
Cessna aircraft.  As the student falls away from the plane, the main 
canopy is deployed by a "static line" attached to the aircraft.  
The student will experience about two to three seconds of falling 
as the parachute opens.  

Subsequent S/L jumps consist of about 15 minutes of preparation.  
After 2 good static line jumps, the student will be trained to pull 
their ripcord for themselves.  The student then does 3 more static 
line jumps where they demonstrate this ability by pulling a dummy 
ripcord as they leave the plane (the static line is still initiating
the deployment).  The student is then cleared to do their first 
actual freefall.  

The first freefall is a "clear & pull", where the student initiates the
pull sequence immediately upon leaving the aircraft.  Next is a 5 second 
delay jump.  Subsequent jumps go to progressively higher altitudes with 
longer delays.  After 20 freefalls, and meeting certain other basic 
requirements, the student receives their A license and is cleared off 
student status.

	Accelerated Free Fall (AFF)

The AFF program was instituted in 1982 as an "accelerated" learning
process as compared to the traditional static line progression.  The
AFF program will give you a true taste of modern sport skydiving.

The ground training is a bit more extensive than S/L (~5 hours) 
because the student will be doing a 50 second freefall (that's right!) 
on his/her very first jump.  The student will exit the aircraft at 
10,000-12,000 feet along with two AFF Jumpmasters (JM) who will 
assist the student during freefall.  The jumpmasters maintain grips 
on the student from moment they leave the aircraft until opening, 
assisting the student as necessary to fall stable, perform practice 
ripcord pulls, monitor altitude, etc.  The student then pulls his/her 
own ripcord at about 4000 ft.  
 
The AFF program is a 7 level program.  Levels 1, 2, & 3 require two 
freefall Jumpmasters to accompany the student.  These dives concentrate
on teaching basic safety skills such as altitude awareness, body position, 
stability during freefall and during the pull sequence, and most 
importantly- successfull ripcord pull.  On level 3, the JMs will 
release the student in freefall for the first time, to fly completely on 
their own.  

Levels 4, 5, 6, & 7 require only one freefall JM (less $$) and teach 
the student air skills such as turns, forward movement and docking on 
other people, frontloops, backloops, "superman" exits from the plane, 
etc.  

Each AFF level is designed to take one jump, and requires about 
45 minutes of training.  After succesfully performing the objectives 
of each level, the student moves on to the next level.

After graduating Level 7, the student enters a more free format stage 
called "Level 8" where they practice and hone their skills by themselves 
and in small groups until they obtain 20 freefalls and qualify for their 
A license.

	Tandem jumps.

Tandem jumps are meant to offer an introduction to the sport.  They allow the 
neophyte to "take a ride" with an experienced jumper.  A tandem 
jump requires from 15 to 45 minutes of ground preperation (it is not 
actually a First Jump Course).  It consists of an experienced jumper 
called a "tandem master" (or pilot) and the student (or passenger).  
The passenger and pilot each wear a harness, however only the pilot 
wears the parachutes.  The student's harness attaches to the front of 
the pilot's harness and the two of them freefall *together* for 30 
seconds, open together, and land together under one Really_BIG_Parachute.  

Tandems are particularly advantageous to the adventurous spirit who cannot
adequately meet the physical or proficiency requirements for the S/L 
or AFF jumps.  They can hop aboard a tandem!

Because the tandem training is not a First Jump Course, if you decide to
pursue the sport, you will still have to attend a FJC.


In all of these training methods, students are taught normal and emergency 
procedures for all aspects of the jump - climb to altitude, exit, opening,
canopy control, and landing.  They are also shown the equipment and go 
over it so that they understand how it works.

Nearly all student training centers now utilize *sport* skydiving gear.  
No more military surplus stuff.  Students have light-weight harness/container
systems in asthetic colors, high performance canopies designed for
students.  No more paraboots- students use their own tennis shoes.  No
more heavy motorcycle helmets- students use lightweight sporting helmets.
Ground-to-air radio for canopy control assistance, air-to-air video, on
and on...



-.	How do I tell a good Drop Zone from poor one?
	---------------------------------------------

Most dropzones that provide regular student training are "USPA Affiliated".
The United States Parachute Association (USPA) is the representative body 
for sport parachuting within the US, and a member of the FAI (the 
international equivalent). The USPA defends the sport's interests before 
the FAA and other regulating/lawmaking bodies at all levels of government.  
It also develops and monitors safety and training doctrine for the sport.  
Other benefits include liability insurance for students and DZs in the 
case of damage to property, the monthly magazine "Parachutist", etc.

The USPA has had tremendous success instituting rating programs 
for Jumpmasters, Instructors, and Instructor-Examiners to ensure that 
only properly trained and qualified personnel work with students.  You 
should insist on USPA Instructors and Jumpmasters. 

USPA affiliation is not required, and does not *guarantee* a DZ to be a 
"good" DZ, and non-affiliation does not mean the DZ is "bad".  However,
the USPA, through their dilligence and caution, has compiled an 
excellent safety record over the years.

These are just guidelines.  You should always check it out before 
you jump.



-.	What if your parachute doesn't open?
	------------------------------------

Clearly, this is the most Frequently-Asked-Question posed by
all prospective jumpers.  

By law (FAA regulations), all intentional parachute jumps must be made
with a single harness, dual parachute system with both a
main canopy *AND* a reserve canopy.  In other words, you have a second
(or spare) canopy in case the first one fails to open properly.

However, it must be noted that the technology utilized in today's sport
parachuting equipment is light years ahead of the old military surplus
gear used in the '60s and '70s.  The canopies are DRASTICLY different from
the classic GIJoe round parachutes.  The materials are stronger, lighter 
and last longer, the packing proceedures are simpler, the deployment
sequence is much more refined, etc.

The reserve canopies are even more carefully designed and packed.  The
reserve parachute must be inspected and repacked every 120 days by an
FAA rated parachute Rigger - even if it has not been used during that time.

The student's main canopy is always packed either by a rigger or under 
a rigger's direct supervision by experienced packers.  

There are also additional safety features employed to ensure canopy 
deployment such as Automatic Activations Devices (AAD) and Reserve 
Static Lines (RSL) which add still more layers of safety.


-	How much does it cost?
	----------------------

Prices vary from DZ to DZ.  Typically, the S/L course runs ~$110-$140,
AFF from $250-$300, and the tandem from ~$140-$200.  Some DZs can provide
a freefall videoman to tape the whole exciting experience for $50-75.
These prices include the ground school and the first jump.

After completing their first jump, skydiving tradition allows each 
student to express their appreciation and admiration for their newfound 
skydiving friends for their assistance in successfully achieving this 
milestone in their life by purchasing (from a local establishment) and 
presenting to them a case of beer.  This case, customarily a fine 
imported beer, is ceremoniously iced down for consumption at the end of 
the day.  The cost generally runs $15-20.  

(It should be noted that while jumpers have a reputation for major 
no-holds-barred parties, the use of drugs and/or alcohol on the DZ 
premises is *strictly* prohibited during jump operations for what should 
be obvious reasons. This rule is observed and enforced by both jumpers 
and management.)

After the first jump, the cost of each successive jump decreases in
stages as less supervision is required.  Once off student status, and
owning your own gear, jumps will cost about $15-17 to 13,000' (about 
65 seconds of freefall).  Many drop zones have discount programs as well
that can further decrease the cost of jumps.

Equipment can run from $1000 to $3500 depending on what you want to 
spend.  There is a used equipment market (much like the used car market) 
which can SAVE you loads of money, or you can custom order everything 
brand-spankin-new with your own personalized colors and sizes, which 
will COST you loads of money(:-).  You can buy it all at once or 
a piece at a time as finances allow.  Generally, you shouldn't worry 
about buying gear until you are off student status or close to your 
A license.  

Of course, all prices are in US dollars (as opposed to dinars or rubles:-).

-	How hard is the landing?
	------------------------

The canopies used today bear little resemblance to the classic round 
canopies of years gone by.  Today, nearly all jumpers and jump schools 
use "square" canopies for parachuting.  These canopies are actually 
rectangular in shape, and when open, act like an airplane wing (or 
an airfoil).  They are more like gliders than umbrellas.

The aerodynamics of the square canopy provide it with exceptional 
manuverability, allowing the jumpers to land almost anywhere
they wish.  This wing shape also provides tippy-toe soft 
landings for even the novice jumper.  The days of landing like a sack 
of flour are history.  Most students land standing up on their first jump.



-	How do you breathe in freefall?
	------------------------------

This falls into the realm of urban folklore.  One CAN breathe in 
freefall - if it were necessary.  However, due to the high 
speed of terminal freefall (and much higher speeds in vertical 
freefall dives), the jumper's body is exposed to O2 molecules at
a much higher rate than someone walking around on the ground.
The body is able to absorb the necessary O2 through the skin.  This is
why jumpers flap their cheeks in freefall, it presents a larger surface 
area to the airstream for oxygen osmosis.  Once under canopy, the
jumper resumes breathing normally. (:_)

This is also why jumpers do not jump on cloudy days or when they
might risk going through clouds.  The moisture in the clouds can
condense on their exposed skin surfaces preventing the absorption of the 
necessary oxygen resulting in suffocation.  AADs are recommended for 
jumpers in climates where weather is a factor.

(:-)


-	Appendix of Skydiving Abbreviations, Terms, and Coloquialisms
	-------------------------------------------------------------

AAD	Abbrev. n, "Automatic Activation Device".  A altitude sensing 
	device used to automaticly activate the opening sequence
	for a parachute.  Most commonly refers to their application
	to sport reserve parachutes, but also used in other non-sport 
	scenarios such as ejection seats, etc. 

AFF	Abbrev., "Accelerated FreeFall".  A training program for first jump
	students where the skydiving skills development rate is
	accelerated over that of the older static line program.  

boogie	n., A gathering of jumpers for the purposes of jumping and 
	socializing.  Typically, boogies will have large aircraft, unusual
	aircraft (balloons, helicopters), special events (record attempts),
	or some sort of competition as a focal point to attract jumpers
	from widely diverse regions.  

bounce  Coloquialism v, term for landing, after freefall, without the aid 
	of a parachute.  Also: hammer in, frapp, go in.

CRW	Abbrev., "Canopy Relative Work".  Describes the manuvering done
	by jumpers *under canopy* to fly their parachutes together to
	form various formations.  Sometimes refered to as CReW (Crew).

DZ	Abbrev. n, "Drop Zone".  A place where parchuting operations take
	place.  This is may be a designated area, or frequently, a 
	commercial business which supplies aircraft, instruction, gear
	sales and services.

JM	Abbrev. n, "JumpMaster".  A jumper trained and certified to 
	supervise students and/or novices during their jump.

main	n, the primary parachute.

RW	Abbrev., "Relative Work".  Describes the freefall manuvering 
	whereby two or more jumpers fly relative to each other *in freefall*
	in order to form various formations.

reserve	n, the secondary, or backup, parachute.

round	n, a class of parachutes designed to simply decellerate a
	body in a fluid medium.  The classic parachute.

square	n, a class of parachutes designed to inflate and take the shape
	of an airfoil.  These are more accurately rectangular in
	shape and are semi-rigid wings.

USPA	Abbrev. n, "United States Parachute Association".



		--------      End	---------
		    Rec.Skydiving F.A.Q. Sheet














-- 
Domain: jerrys@umiacs.umd.edu		    Jerry Sobieski
  UUCP:	uunet!mimsy!jerrys		University of Maryland
 Phone:	(301)405-6735		Institute for Advanced Computer Studies
 					College Park, Md 20742


-- 
Domain: jerrys@umiacs.umd.edu		    Jerry Sobieski
  UUCP:	uunet!mimsy!jerrys		University of Maryland
 Phone:	(301)405-6735		Institute for Advanced Computer Studies
 					College Park, Md 20742
Newsgroups: rec.skydiving