Tandem skydiving is a popular way for beginners to experience the thrill of freefalling through the sky. In this type of jump, a student is attached to a highly – trained instructor who controls the parachute and guides the entire process. The instructor is responsible for everything from the pre – jump checks to the landing. They wear a specialized harness system that connects the student to them securely, and they are in charge of deploying the main parachute at the right altitude and navigating safely to the landing area. This system works well most of the time, providing an exciting yet relatively safe way for people to try skydiving. However, like any activity, unexpected situations can occur. One of the most concerning scenarios is what happens if the skydiving instructor passes out during the jump.
The Immediate Consequences of an Instructor Passing Out
Loss of Control
When a skydiving instructor passes out, the most immediate and critical issue is the loss of control. In a tandem jump, the instructor is the one who makes all the important decisions and operates the equipment. Without a conscious instructor, the pair will continue to freefall at high speeds, usually around 120 miles per hour in a normal – belly – to – earth freefall position, but there will be no one to ensure proper body position, which can lead to spins or unstable orientations. This lack of control can cause several problems. For example, an unstable body position can increase wind resistance in unpredictable ways, making it harder to control the descent and increasing the risk of injury upon landing. Additionally, spins can disorient the student, who may not have the training or experience to correct the situation on their own.
Failure to Deploy the Parachute on Time
Another major concern is the parachute deployment. In a tandem jump, the instructor is responsible for deploying the main parachute at the appropriate altitude, typically around 5,000 – 6,000 feet above the ground. If the instructor passes out, there is a high risk that the parachute will not be deployed on time. If the parachute deployment is delayed, the pair will continue to fall at high speed, getting closer and closer to the ground. As the altitude drops, the time available for a safe landing decreases rapidly. In extreme cases, if the parachute is not deployed before reaching a critical low altitude, there may not be enough time for the parachute to fully open and slow down the descent, resulting in a very dangerous high – speed impact.
What Can the Student Do?
Stay Calm and Assess the Situation
The first and most important thing for the student to do if they suspect their instructor has passed out is to stay as calm as possible. Panicking will only make the situation worse and cloud the student’s judgment. After taking a moment to calm down, the student should quickly assess the situation. They should try to determine if the instructor is truly unconscious by attempting to communicate with them, such as shouting or gently shaking them. If there is no response, the student needs to start thinking about what steps to take next.
Activate the Emergency Parachute (if trained)
Some tandem skydiving operations train students on how to activate the emergency parachute system in case of an instructor emergency. This is usually a secondary parachute that can be deployed manually. If the student has received this training, they should locate the emergency parachute handle, which is typically located in an accessible area on the harness or near the instructor’s equipment.
Once located, the student should follow the procedures they were taught during training. This usually involves pulling the handle with a firm and steady motion. However, it’s important to note that activating the emergency parachute is a complex procedure, and even with training, there is a risk of making mistakes. For example, pulling the handle too early or too late can have negative consequences. Pulling it too early may cause the parachute to drag in the wind during the remaining freefall, potentially causing damage or entanglement, while pulling it too late may not leave enough time for a safe landing.
Try to Stabilize the Body Position
Even if the student is not trained to deploy the emergency parachute, they can still try to do something to improve the situation. One of the things they can attempt is to try and stabilize the body position. In a normal tandem jump, the student is positioned in front of the instructor. The student can try to keep their body in a stable, streamlined position, similar to the proper freefall position they were taught during the pre – jump briefing. By keeping their arms and legs in the correct position, they can reduce the chances of the pair entering into an unstable spin. However, this is easier said than done, especially for a beginner who is in a high – stress and dangerous situation.
The Role of Safety Equipment
Automatic Activation Devices (AADs)
To mitigate the risks associated with situations like an instructor passing out, many tandem skydiving rigs are equipped with Automatic Activation Devices (AADs). These are electronic devices that monitor the altitude and speed of the jumper. When the altitude drops below a pre – set level and the speed indicates that the parachute has not been deployed, the AAD will automatically trigger the deployment of the reserve parachute. AADs are designed to provide an extra layer of safety in case of human error or emergencies. However, they are not perfect. There can be false activations in some rare cases, and they also rely on accurate sensors and proper programming. Additionally, AADs are usually set to deploy the reserve parachute at a relatively low altitude, which means that if there are other issues, such as the reserve parachute malfunctioning, there may not be much time to correct the situation.
The Reserve Parachute
The reserve parachute is another crucial piece of safety equipment. It is designed to be a backup in case the main parachute fails to open or if there is an emergency like the instructor passing out. The reserve parachute is packed and maintained according to strict safety standards to ensure it can be deployed quickly and reliably in an emergency. When the reserve parachute is deployed, it should open smoothly and slow down the descent of the jumper. However, like any piece of equipment, it can also have problems. For example, there could be issues with the lines getting tangled during deployment, or the parachute may not fully inflate. In such cases, the situation remains dangerous, and the jumper will need to use additional emergency procedures, such as cutting away the malfunctioning parachute and deploying a second reserve (if available).
The Rescue and Recovery Process
Ground – Based Monitoring
Skydiving operations usually have a ground – based monitoring system in place. Staff on the ground use radar or other tracking devices to monitor the progress of the jumpers. When they notice that a jump is not following the normal pattern, such as a delay in parachute deployment or an abnormal flight path, they will immediately start to take action. They will try to establish communication with the jumpers, if possible, using radio equipment. If they are unable to reach the jumpers and suspect an emergency, they will alert the emergency response teams, including paramedics and potentially the local aviation authorities if necessary.
Emergency Response
Once an emergency is suspected, the emergency response teams will swing into action. Paramedics will be on standby at the landing area to provide medical assistance as soon as the jumpers land. If the jumpers land in an unexpected or difficult – to – reach location, search and rescue teams may be deployed to find and retrieve them. In some cases, if the situation is extremely critical, such as if the jumpers are in danger of landing in a hazardous area like a busy road or a body of water, additional resources like helicopters may be used to try and intercept the jumpers and ensure their safety.
Post – Jump Medical Evaluation
After a jump where an instructor passed out, both the instructor and the student will undergo a thorough medical evaluation. The instructor will be checked for the cause of their loss of consciousness, which could be due to a variety of factors such as a medical condition, dehydration, or a problem with their oxygen supply during the jump. The student will also be examined for any physical injuries sustained during the jump, as well as for signs of psychological trauma. Skydiving is a high – stress activity even under normal circumstances, and experiencing an emergency like this can have a significant impact on a person’s mental well – being.
Conclusion
The scenario of a skydiving instructor passing out during a tandem jump is a rare but extremely serious situation. It presents multiple immediate dangers, including loss of control and failure to deploy the parachute on time. However, through a combination of the student’s ability to stay calm and take appropriate actions, the role of safety equipment such as AADs and reserve parachutes, and the well – organized rescue and recovery process, the chances of a safe outcome can be increased. For skydiving enthusiasts, it’s important to understand these potential risks and the safety measures in place. For skydiving operators, continuous training of instructors, regular maintenance of equipment, and well – rehearsed emergency response plans are essential to minimize the risks associated with such emergencies. While the thought of an instructor passing out during a jump is scary, knowing what to expect and how the system is designed to handle it can give jumpers more confidence in this thrilling sport.