THE RULES = OF THE SKY: A GUIDE FOR SAFETY DURING LARGE FORMATION SKYDIVES
A compilation of basic large formation safety rules and guidelines edited by = Kate Cooper-Jensen for use by all Big Way Organizers.
Safety should be the number one priority for any ev= ent. If the following procedures are pu= t into place and rigorously enforced then it sends a message to all participants t= hat the organizing team is serious about this goal.
Here are some guidelines for making any skydiving e= vent, small or large, as safe as possible. These rules have been developed by a g= roup of large formation organizers and have been used on local, state, national = and world record events in multiple locations. This is not meant to be a comple= te or all encompassing list for safety on large formations. Please feel free to share, adapt or modify this article in any way to make YOUR event safer.
AIRCRAFT S= AFETY:
About 5 minutes before exit (below 12,000 feet if g= oing to high altitudes), CHECK YOUR GEAR! Get a= nd give pin checks. Check all handles and stow riser covers than may have come loose. Tuck pilot chutes in as needed. Check your teammates’ gear if = they request it; their safety is yours as well.
In the plane remain in your seat and keep still. If= your bench needs to be raised prior to exit do this with minimum movement and st= ay as still as possible. Do not stand if you can sit or kneel. If going to high altitudes do not t= alk after the oxygen has been turned on. Use hand signals if needed. On jump run only the plane captain, the pilot, and any designated person(s) may talk. K= eep on oxygen as long as possible even while walking to the door.
If oxygen is provided, it’= ;s use is required.
IF THE PLANE IS AT ALTITU= DE BE QUIET! When the plane is at altitude, (or near to it), in formation = and heading to the DZ then be ready to skydive and prepare for exit regardless = of any non-emergency related signal from the pilot. Do not depend solely on signals from the pilot. Remember that exit may come at lower altitudes than planned, so be ready to skydive at any time.
FREEFALL S= AFETY:
Break off procedures will be rehearsed and opening altitudes may be assigned to participants. You must follow these procedures. Use an audible altimeter and set it accordingly. Make sure you understand if the assigned altitudes are "deployment" (i.e. opening) or "in the saddle" altitudes as these can vary from area to area and follow them accordingly. If you choose to= bring a canopy to an event that keeps you from following these procedures then no= tify the organizer and know that you are putting yourself AND your teammates at = risk BRING THE RIGHT CANOPY.
Open at the safe and correct assigned altitude. A warning may be issued as needed,= and then LOW AND HIGH PULLERS MAY BE GROUNDED.=
TRACK LIKE YOUR LIFE DEPE= NDS ON IT! Use a flat track a= nd be aware of the people around you and in front of you—your tracking team counts on you to be safe. No = steep or "diving tracks will be allowed.&nb= sp; If you go low and are unable to dock prior to b= reakoff then you will become part of the first tracking team; know their track and deployment altitudes and follow them.
CANOPY SAF= ETY:
After canopy opening DO N= OT REMOVE BOOTIES or any part of your equipment. Know where people are when you dep= loy and have your hands on or near your rear risers to be prepared for an avoid= ance maneuver.
Sliders may be collapsed and stowed AFTER you have cleared your airspace. Keep your head on a swivel at all times until back in the packing area. After landi= ng turn around and face oncoming traffic while you gather your canopy. If you choose to land in a congest= ed area then move quickly to the nearest side after landing while watching for landing traffic.
A wing loading between 1.25 and 1.75 (min and max) = is a common recommendation so that all canopies will be flying at roughly the sa= me speed. Some events may recomm= end higher or lower wing loadings. KNOW YOUR WING LOADING (with weights if applicable). If your loading = is outside this range then please notify the organizers and exercise additional caution.
LANDING SA= FETY:
NO SWOOPS, HOOK TURNS, or= HIGH OTHER PERFORMANCE LANDINGS OF ANY KIND should be allowed on large formation skydives for the safety of all participants. This INCLUDES camera personnel, organizers, and DZ staff. No maneuvers (such as spirals, S-turns on final approach, deep brakes on final approach, or turns over 90 degrees in the pattern) should be allowed.
Many dropzones prefer e= ither a left or right handed pattern for canopy flight. Know the rules at the drop = zone where you are jumping, be careful not to cross other traffic, and initiate = your final turn 300-500 feet above ground to set up a predictable final leg.
One method of setting up a predictable and safe lan= ding pattern follows:
On each jump all jumpers should enter into the patt= ern into the wind at 1,000 feet over the target.
They can then turn to the left until 800 feet, turn= left again (downwind leg) until 500 feet.
And finally INITIATE THEI= R FINAL TURN AT 300 - 500 FEET.
Another method would be to allow people to choose t= he pattern they desire, but then state that no high performance landings or turns of greater than 90 degrees will be tolerated on final. Set a plan that best benefits the = dropzone you are jumping at, make sure all participan= ts know the plan, and then follow the plan.&n= bsp;
Designated mandatory landing directions are often assigned on large formation dives. Know the areas and inspect a map of the landing zones prior to jumping if needed. If the spot is long or if the win= ds do not allow a normal approach to the target then make your best effort to = get to your assigned landing area but do not cross other areas and patterns to = do so.
Always know where you will land by 1,000 feet. On a= ny and all out landings (outside your designated landing area) initiate your final at 500 feet. This is an absolute rule.
Most dropzones require = that you land IN THE SAME DIRECTION as the first pe= rson down REGARDLESS of wind direction. It is better to have a large group= land down or cross wind AS A GROUP than to have individuals choosing their own landing pattern. Again—= if you are jumping a canopy that will not allow you to choose a slight down or cro= ss wind landing then you are putting yourself AND YO= UR TEAMMATES in danger.
It is common that in the case of an off dropzone landing that all participants will be requir= ed to check in after landing. In the event of an off-landing, gather together in groups, do not remain alone, and walk to the nearest road. Trucks or other transportation should be there shortly.
These rules are meant to be used on dives of any si= ze, from 20-ways to 400-ways, and at dropzones and = major boogies utilizing anything from a single aircraft to multiple aircraft routinely being used.
If you sta=
rt
personally incorporating these guidelines into every large formation jump y=
ou
make then you will be taking the steps to not only make yourself a safe and
competent big-way flier but you will be showing others how to be safe as we=
ll.
Enjoy your next skydive, and remember to follow the=
RULES OF THE SKY!