Skydiving Fail | This Never Should Have Happened

This is important to share. Last year, I was on a jump with a 3-way group, and a CRW jump went out before us. We went around due to cloud cover, and then we jumped after they did.

I had always thought that high pulls go last and that would include CRW jumps, however, I learned that they usually ask to get out first and have two miles prior to the drop zone in order to fly back.

Well they didn't get two miles, and we jumped after the go around. I saw them the entire time, so I felt safe that we had enough distance.

Anyway, listen and learn from my failure! I learned a lot from the CRW guys that day and am doing my best to stay humble.

What'd I Shoot This On?

[keeponwishin]

Be careful with the “more experienced” skydivers because some of them can fool you. I was a tandem instructor and I had another tandem instructor with thousands of jumps more than I had try to convince me it was a good idea to take a tandem student up with 34mph ground winds into a very turbulence-prone landing area (trees on all sides). I was the least experienced instructor and I refused to jump, but two other TIs took students on the only jump that day, despite my warnings. Unfortunately it resulted in one tandem pair being dropped out of their flare, breaking the student’s back and the instructor’s tailbone. The lesson: Never be afraid to speak up if something doesn’t seem safe. Ask questions if you don’t understand the plan, and never be afraid to sit out a load if something doesn’t seem right for any reason. As much as we all are responsible for each other’s safety, we are even more responsible for our own.

[MrScottChristie]

Endless respect for owning a situation and turning it into a teachable lesson! Stay safe and Blue Skies! 🌌

[marksmith]

I appreciate when you put yourself out there in the name of coaching, thank you!!!

[kirkbauer]

A veteran CRW jumper here. You are both right and wrong. If you have freefall jumpers with a mix of pull altitudes or even freefall and a hop-and-pop then yes the higher-opening people should go last. But the challenge with CRW is that they generally have to exit significantly downwind from the DZ. Assuming you are heading into the winds for the jump run then that means they'll need to exit first, typically way before everybody else. For example, if they exited 2 miles short of the DZ and then you exited over the DZ it would have never been a problem.


You are correct though that the go-around causes issues here. Depending on the details and the duration of the go-around the situation will be different. If things go as planned for the CRW jump they should arrive at the dropzone area at more or less normal altitude (<3, 000ft AGL). If this is the case then even on a go-around they won't be of concern to you if you exit upwind (as they will still be decently downwind). But it's important to be aware as you were.


If you, your pilot, or your DZ insists on CRW going out last, then they'll have to do a dedicated jump run for CRW. First pass put everybody else out which will put you significantly upwind of the DZ. Then go back and let CRW out downwind by 2 miles or whatever is required based on the winds.


I want to clarify why CRW has these restrictions around where they exit. The trick is that you typically can't change heading on a multi-person CRW jump. So if you exit facing N then you have to keep going N for the entire jump, until break-off around 2-4k. With about 10 minutes under canopy this can put the group of CRW jumpers very far from the DZ unless they are very careful about where they exit. Assuming the upper winds are generally less than their forward speed they'll want to exit downwind of the DZ and head into the wind for the whole jump.

[rorytanner]

Thank you for sharing your experience with us. The lessons you provided are valuable and your delivery of them is fantastic.

[a.raimondo]

Man. sometimes someone will post a video and never get back any feedback that it made a difference. Last week I did a sunrise jump in significant winds. My group wanted a little freefall. Virtually everyone else did a high pull. Because of jump run and the winds the high pulls wanted to get out real early and first. So we pushed to the back of the plane. On the way to altitude this video came to mind and we all confirmed that there would be no go arounds. Having said that, I am still unclear as to procedures if the spot becomes bad for the movers? Are we supposed to land with the plane, fly circles till the high pulls land? How does it play out? Thanks for sharing the video. If planned properly, why not flip jump run, let the flyers get out closer to the DZ and then let the high pulls get out "down the road" upwind?

[anthonyrutten]

I’ve only jumped once so I know nothing but you seem like you know what’s up and it looked safe to me. Looking forward to my next jump😎

[marksmith]

You are a good coach, here’s why. This sport attracts a lot of type A-personalities who would never admit any mistake.

A good coach understands they are built on a mountain of experience and training. More experiences are mistakes and if you can set your ego aside and admit and “learn something”, (your words) and pass it on. You do that very well with sincerity in hopes of teaching others. You are a good coach. Shaka brah.

[jeffgoodin]

Thanks for sharing this. Never seen a high pull not be last out. This was helpful.

[madeinheaven]

You are alive that all matters, be safe 🙌

[jackfrost]

To me, the "high pull last"rule is as important as the "strap your 'chute on before jumping"rule!

[maldi_tof]

the drop zones I've been to that had CRW gave them their own pass. They will get out higher than a hop and pop, but well below 10k when four way teams get out (again on their own pass). High pull was considered something else where you get out last after the wing suits (unless you are trying XRW I guess)

[KeepinYouUp]

Good learning experience. Jump order has changed on me a FEW times in the plane by more "experienced" jumpers than me.
Also, july4 boogie at my DZ I made 10 jumps & CRW got out 1st every time without incident. Never had any go arounds & CRW is fully aware of jump run. But if I wanna do a solo high pull I get out last, which makes sense lol.

[jonramsay]

great video, just had a crew at Z-Hills, getting out first, 2 miles out, we had one pass.

[johnkeyes]

Thanks for sharing. Fractured my left ankle on landing a week ago so I'm out for the season. In the meantime I figure I can still absorb a bunch of good skydive info while I'm healing.

[skydive]

No point in getting upset to anyone. In Skydiving there is a lot of ego boosting and chest thumping. Bottom line is that everyone needs to know what everyone else is going to do BEFORE you board the airplane. I’ve seen loads of very experienced skydivers focused on only themselves and nobody else and come exit create confusion and screaming to others. Especially if you’re doing crew and doing things out of the ordinary, make sure at least the spotter knows or spot yourself and clear it with the pilot. No rules, just common sense. I’ve just seen too many eager beavers running around trying to get in as many jumps as they possibly can, completely losing the plot in the process

[RobbieBackpacking]

PernDog I'm making my first jump for my 30th birthday this September! Thanks for helping me feel less stressed about the jump!

[CaffeineMark]

loved this vid man... cheers for the lessons. Blue skies dude...

[mazinalmaimani]

That so great when someone admits his mistakes. Please Be safe and May God preserve you all from dangers 🙏🏻🤍

[fireman]

Thanks man, that was actually really informative. I've never really heard how an incident actually happened before just what had happened in them before so it was cool to hear that. I'd actually love to see some of your AFF jumps if you have em, Amber's as well!!!