Introduction
After a report on the start of the season, it is now time for the annual overview.
We have not had an "early season" effect this year. Thank you for preparing well for the start of the season.
The data
We have made considerably more jumps than in 2020. A start in May instead of the end of June like 2020 has made that possible.
But we remain well below the jump numbers of the previous years. This is not only due to a later start, but also to less activity during the high season. Less good weather during the jumping weeks and a lower turnout during events due to the Corona measures are certainly causes of this.In terms of accidents, we have been spared major accidents this year. The number of jumps per accident is better than the previous year and close to the average number of jumps per accident over the past 4 years.
The number of jumps per reserve remains well below 1000 jumps which is not good. 2020 was much better on this front, but now we are even diving below the (low) average of 780 jumps per cutaway.
The number of jumps per incident report has continued to rise. Fewer incidents or are they reported less?
Accidents
Experience
In 50% of the accidents, a student (less than 25 jumps) remains the victim. Considering the low number of jumps this group makes, this is remarkable.
At A-license level (an interval of 25 jumps) not many jumps are made, but the crash rate is much smaller.
The number of accidents increases again from 50-200 (an interval of 150) jumps.
The number of accidents is lower for 200-500 jumps (an interval of 300) jumps.
Above 500 jumps is a large group of jumpers who make the largest number of jumps.
Time of accident
Landings
The majority of these accidents concern the landing. Flaring errors (5 times) but also a landing on uneven terrain are important causes. Fortunately, the seriousness of these accidents was limited to sprains or simple fractures.
Most of these accidents happen during the first 5 jumps of the AFF training.
There are still landing accidents after AFF. Beware of higher landing speeds in low wind conditions. Also this year a few jumpers were surprised by this. There are several accident reports where a jumper tried to absorb a heavy landing on one foot. Then you are more likely to get hurt than if you keep both feet and knees together.
A tandem instructor caught his foot in a clump of grass and broke his leg.
One tandem student was also injured on landing.
Opening and free fall
A tandem student lost consciousness under the canopy, but landed unscathed thanks to an alert and experienced tandem instructor.
There are three accident reports due to hard openings. There is not one type of canopy that gave rise to this: packing errors, material, … are to blame
Other
Be careful when dirt diving, a jumper broke a foot on a parasol base when jumping off the mockup. When you practice, make sure the environment is clear of obstacles.
A pilot can also be injured by getting his foot caught on the cockpit stairs.
Emergency procedures
Experience
Over the years, the distribution of emergency procedures remains roughly the same across experience levels.
You see a clear predominance among the more experienced skydivers. More jumps per year, but also canopies that are less forgiving, play a role in this.
13 cutaways are credited to 5 skydivers. None of these jumpers will have more than 300 skydives in 2021. This brings the average down significantly.
Keep track of your average. If you get below 300 jumps per cutaway, look at the possible causes and take action in consultation with your rigger.
Moment of emergency procedure
Most cutaways are the result of twists (29 out of 55). At higher wingloads, twists are more difficult to solve and lead to more cutaways.
Tension knots have caused 5 cutaways.
Wear in the form of broken lines and a ruptured cell were to blame in 3 cutaways. A broken line is rarely a surprise. If in doubt about the condition of your lines, ask a rigger at the drop zone for advice. Have your lines replaced in time to avoid having to do a cutaway.
Packing errors also remain: 2 lineovers and an incorrectly routed steering line.
Wingsuits entail additional complexity and can contribute to an emergency procedure: 3 times in 2021.
Formation skydives bring their own risks:
In one case, a cutaway handle came loose during the training of an FS4 team: the two pairs passed to closely above each other .
Another case happened during the exit of a bigway where a cutaway handle came loose.
There was one mysterious case of an AFF student where both main and reserve opened. The student appears to have pulled on the reserve static line.
Events
Landing
We must remain alert on landing and certainly in final. Also this year there were several close calls from jumpers who did not see each other when making a high speed landing.
It doesn't help at all if you don't know the landing direction or if you are going to fly right through the landing pattern. There are reports of incidents with this at the three PCV drop zones, which, fortunately, all ended well.
Even if you do 10 jumps in a day, check the landing direction before every jump and look at the arrow before you start your landing circuit.
And just because someone else makes a mistake doesn't mean you should do the same. We are all pilots of our parachute and responsible for our landing and the safety of those around us.Particularly disturbing is that even instructors do not familiarize themselves with landing rules and land in the buffer zone between high speed landing zone and 90° zone without being aware of any harm.
Video
Several incidents have been reported involving video guys in tandem.
Video Jumps demand a lot of your attention. Make sure you build up a routine for the jumping part of your assignment (check equipment, check landing direction, briefing with tandem master, flying the landing pattern correctly and where to stand when you want to film a landing).
This way you avoid close calls with landing tandems under the canopy and on the ground.
Before the jump
There are again many reports of jumpers who want to get to the plane without a helmet, altimeter or with an incorrectly fitted rig. Usually, these jumpers had to rush and forgot to bring important checks or equipment.
Teach yourself a routine for getting your equipment ready, getting fit and checking yourself.
If that's not enough, do one jump less per day so that you have time to do it correctly. "Yes, but (fill in) told me to hurry": you are responsible for the safety of your jump.
Conclusion
The conclusions remain the same and it looks like we are stuck afain for a long period without jumps so:
Prepare your equipment for the start of the season. Don't delay if parts need to be replaced.
Prepare yourself for the start of the season: watch the videos "Coming out of quarantine" again. They are a nice overview of things you can do to face an incident free jumping season.
When you get to the drop zone, take the time to get your equipment and yourself (not only changing clothes, but also checking the whiteboard thoroughly) before you manifest yourself.
Prepare every jump well:
Jump order, landing direction, ...
Brief your own jump with special attention to safety.
Checking your equipment before you get out of the hangar, before boarding the plane and at least 2 minutes before exit.
Memorize your emergency procedures one more time before boarding.
Look around and be attentive to other jumpers and their equipment.
After a good opening of your parachute, orient yourself, check the landing direction, locate the other jumpers from your load and prepare a safe landing with respect for the landing rules and the other jumpers.
After landing, walk to the hangar and be attentive and respectful of other landing jumpers.
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