Friday Freakout: Skydive Student Has Premature Parachute Opening On His Back

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*** What happened ***

On skydive number 30, this new jumper had his first attempt at back-flying and sit-flying while still using student gear (yes, we all know what happened next). His container – which was, predictably, not freefly-friendly – had a premature deployment. The deployment bag went straight into the jumper’s hands and he actually managed to catch it. Initially he thought he was "holding onto his harness," but once he realized what had happened, he let the deployment bag go and – somehow – had a clean opening that he was able to land safely.

*** Why did it happen ***

Improper Gear

There is a reason that some gear is called “freefly friendly” and some gear is not. When gear is not freefly-friendly it is typically because, if taken into orientations other than belly, it runs the risk of prematurely opening. Generally, a lot of student and rental rigs are not freefly-friendly and many dropzones have rules against students freeflying for this exact reason.

*** How could it be prevented ***

Communication

We don’t actually know if this student communicated their intent to a coach, instructor or more experienced jumper. We are assuming they didn’t because most jumpers who have been around for a minute would have told this jumper that attempting to sitfly/backfly on a student rig that wasn’t freefly-friendly was not okay.

Training

Not all training programs are created equal and some AFF instructors never really tell their students about how to progress into other disciplines. This oversight can lead to newer jumpers potentially not understanding the different ways that certain orientations interact with the air. Again, we don’t know if that happened here but it’s something to keep in mind.

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[phutton]

He literally reached out, caught it, bear hugged it, and dropped it like it was a hot potato 🤣

[nmbrs]

Good altitude awareness. He saw that the deployment was premature, much like his freefly skills, use of camera, and likely bed-top manners, and decided to hold onto the d-bag to wait until the appropriate deployment altitude. I don't see a problem here.

[theginganinjaofficial]

Jump 30, freeflying with a camera...

The rest goes as expected.

[emiliegagne-samson]

7 cell canopy /triathlon for a student rig? And the guy has a cam? At 30 jump? Yeah right

[GermanTechnoBoy]

Why does this mate with 30 jumps have an action camera?

[zerotonen]

Since when do students wear gopros, have collapsable sliders and pilots, and digital altimeters? 🧐🤔

[AlmostMeansNot]

Skydive student with a kill line pilot chute? Among other things. As you say, "Ughh.."

[freefallone]

All everyone is concerned with is the bloody camera not that he sorted his shit out and lived.

[wildeyestudios]

Thanks for the lesson in the description, As always

[jimday]

@JOINTHETEEM
Please supplement the description and emphasize the fact why this newcomer jumper (30jumps) had a camera on his helmet !
That's a big no-no, imho.

Good catch by the way.

[led.santos]

For those struggling with the imperial X Metric math, it was about 7.382 feet

[kdup]

Good stable exit, its safe to say this guy should just go straight for the E license. He's clearly over qualified for the first 4.

[bryanreeme]

7 cell, camera, digital altimeter.. maybe this was a demo jump too?.. jeeez, guessing the smoke canister and flag were duds too

[skydivertyler]

Why is this student even wearing a GoPro?

[matejcerny]

That's very immature parachute! 😄

[JEK]

I’ve jumped twice. Both tandem so I know nothing about this. But vids I’ve seen, premature openings seem to happen a lot when the a falling with their backs to the ground. Is that just the relative air causing that to happen?

[samashinvale]

Skydive Student ? with camera and B license and 200+ jump :P, i like this channel a lot, thanks guys for what you give ^^

[appetitedestruction]

The Craziest Hop n Pop I have ever seen; great altitude awareness.

[philtherhythm]

aaah this is from Moldova from my brothers from across the Prut.

[sparky]

Dude was all over the place, I think at one point he crossed his legs for the Glad it all worked