Safety Check

Are You Ready for Takeoff?
It is all too common to see a skydiver hopping on an airplane with a rig hanging loosely on his shoulders, leg straps either loose or not even around the legs and the chest strap flapping in the prop blast. The skydiver is usually either hurrying to catch a turn-around load or thinking he is just too cool for school, sauntering up to the airplane with his best John Wayne swagger. Either way, it can be a disaster waiting to happen.

At least one skydiver has fallen out of her harness while in freefall due to a chest strap that was not routed correctly (or at all) through its friction adapter. Vigilant jumpers catch many misrouted chest straps each year by looking at other skydivers’ gear in the loading area and on the airplane. Besides, not every plane ride makes it to full altitude. Everyone needs to be ready to exit when the airplane starts its takeoff roll. In the case of an aircraft emergency, you need to be ready to bail out on a moment’s notice.

Skydiver’s Information Manual Section 5-4 contains valuable information regarding pre-flight preparation and equipment checks. The “check of threes” is a simple way to stay ready at all times. Check your three straps (two leg straps and chest strap) and three handles (main deployment, cutaway and reserve ripcord) three times (before putting on the rig, prior to boarding the airplane and prior to exit).

It is easy for any of us to get complacent, but it is just as easy to get into the habit of checking equipment carefully before each jump. Having a trained aircraft loader can help. He can look at each skydiver’s gear and refuse to allow unprepared jumpers to board the plane.

Being ready for takeoff means being ready to exit the airplane. Don’t worry, there’s plenty of time to look cool when you swagger in from the landing area after another safe and successful skydive.—Jim Crouch

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