Friday Freakout: High Speed Collision, Skydiver's Legs Hit Parachute In Freefall!

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WHAT HAPPENED
This videographer was filming FS scrambles when, on exit, one of the jumpers (the inside center in the light blue jumpsuit) failed to secure their chinstrap and lost their helmet! The jumper also lost the ability to see the group due to the 120 mph wind in his eyes, and ended up sinking out low on the group. Unfortunately, unable to see his altimeter - and evidently jumping without an audible backup - he deployed his main based on when he "thought" he was at the proper altitude. It turns out he was still above 6,000 feet and the cameraman, who didn't see the canopy coming at him, clipped the top of the jumper's canopy. The cameraman was worried about his legs, but he was fine and was able to keep jumping. The jumper who lost their helmet landed their main despite notable damage to the topskin.
WHY DID IT HAPPEN
Improperly Secured Gear
This whole incident was the result of a jumper's failure to secure the chin strap on his helmet. While we love to have big wordy explanations that make us feel smart, it's really just that simple. Had this jumper checked to make sure the helmet was secure prior to exiting, this whole incident wouldn't have happened.
HOW COULD IT BE PREVENTED
Gear Checks... Including Your Helmet
While in the the plane, everyone thinks about - or at least should be thinking about! - checking their chest strap routing, making sure their pilot chute is properly in their BOC, getting a pin check, etc. The helmet chin strap is an item that a lot of us just don't consider from a safety perspective... but it should be. This video does an excellent job demonstrating why, during your gear checks, you should take a second to check anything which - if lost - could make your jump dangerous. This seems like a very basic point, but we've been on jumps where a jumper made sure to tie their shoes real tight... and then lost their altimeter because they didn't make sure it was fastened securely.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
Audible Altimeters
Obviously an audible altimeter wasn't helpful in this case since the jumper lost his helmet. However, it's worth noting that some belly jumpers think that audible altimeters are a waste of money that freeflyers buy because they're bad at maintaining altitude awareness. Well, this jump shows a perfect example of why having an audible as a backup makes sense and is worth the investment. You never know when your primary write-mounted alti is going to break, you never know when someone is going to rip it off your wrist, and you never know when you're going to lose the ability to read it. At the end of the day, skydiving is an inherently dangerous activity made safe because we try to find ways to mitigate every possible danger. When you think about it that way, a backup, which allows you to know your altitude through a different form of sensory input makes a lot of sense... right!?
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[@TEEMsky]

*WHAT HAPPENED* This videographer was filming FS scrambles when, on exit, one of the jumpers (the inside center in the light blue jumpsuit) failed to secure their chinstrap and lost their helmet! The jumper also lost the ability to see the group due to the 120 mph wind in his eyes, and ended up sinking out low on the group. Unfortunately, unable to see his altimeter - and evidently jumping without an audible backup - he deployed his main based on when he "thought" he was at the proper altitude. It turns out he was still above 6,000 feet and the cameraman, who didn't see the canopy coming at him, clipped the top of the jumper's canopy. The cameraman was worried about his legs, but he was fine and was able to keep jumping. The jumper who lost their helmet landed their main despite notable damage to the topskin. *WHY DID IT HAPPEN* Improperly Secured Gear This whole incident was the result of a jumper's failure to secure the chin strap on his helmet. While we love to have big wordy explanations that make us feel smart, it's really just that simple. Had this jumper checked to make sure the helmet was secure prior to exiting, this whole incident wouldn't have happened. *HOW COULD IT BE PREVENTED* Gear Checks... Including Your Helmet While in the the plane, everyone thinks about - or at least should be thinking about! - checking their chest strap routing, making sure their pilot chute is properly in their BOC, getting a pin check, etc. The helmet chin strap is an item that a lot of us just don't consider from a safety perspective... but it should be. This video does an excellent job demonstrating why, during your gear checks, you should take a second to check anything which - if lost - could make your jump dangerous. This seems like a very basic point, but we've been on jumps where a jumper made sure to tie their shoes real tight... and then lost their altimeter because they didn't make sure it was fastened securely. *ADDITIONAL NOTES* Audible Altimeters Obviously an audible altimeter wasn't helpful in this case since the jumper lost his helmet. However, it's worth noting that some belly jumpers think that audible altimeters are a waste of money that freeflyers buy because they're bad at maintaining altitude awareness. Well, this jump shows a perfect example of why having an audible as a backup makes sense and is worth the investment. You never know when your primary write-mounted alti is going to break, you never know when someone is going to rip it off your wrist, and you never know when you're going to lose the ability to read it. At the end of the day, skydiving is an inherently dangerous activity made safe because we try to find ways to mitigate every possible danger. When you think about it that way, a backup, which allows you to know your altitude through a different form of sensory input makes a lot of sense... right!?

[@joshuat5874]

That's a rough one to see given how preventable this whole situation could've been. Always one more gear check!

[@carnyzack]

Another thing that would've prevented this would be to track away once the jumper was separated from the group instead of deploying when they "thought" they were at the right altitude.

[@OneSkiWonder]

This channel has taught me not to skydive or base jump on Fridays, as accidents only happen on Friday. Blue skies, everyone! :)

[@macrovigilance]

Blue guy could have at least put in a decent track??

[@jptothetree]

Exactly my thought. Good lord 🤦‍♂🤦‍♂🤦‍♂

[@patrickswayze2596]

Hahaha too good ! You can always tell the real skydivers compared to tourists who pretend they jump in the comments section, and only another jumper would have picked that up haha Blue skies yo ✌🏽

[@TheAlbert1A1]

Track like your life depends on it 🤘🏼

[@TwilightSun32]

an audible could be lost with helmet, the visual altimeter was not visible... so we need some kind of a vibration altimeter. of course there could be different ways to install it into jumper...

[@TEEMsky]

It was just a general statement about the importance of audibles, not pointing out that it would've been a helpful tool in this particular incident. It's also very rare for jumpers to lose their entire helmet in freefall, so audibles are typically very helpful and reliable as a backup to your primary visual alti.

[@hihihi1271]

Seems like someone’s a fan of chess lol

[@TwilightSun32]

@@TEEMsky of course they are important. I have two of them, that's more convenient.

[@arycave]

Combine some sex toy with L&B and make a great product!

[@wingsuitist]

Why are we pointing out the importance of an audible when the dude lost his helmet?

[@TEEMsky]

It was included as "Additional Notes" as a general statement of the importance of audibles, not pointing out that it would've been a helpful tool in this particular incident. The post has been updated to clarify that in the Additional Notes section.

[@AndreyUlanovxzzz]

@@TEEMsky "WHAT HAPPEND" section says "evidently jumping without an audible backup". How do you know there wasn't an audible backup in the helmet?

[@tymonradzik8472]

@@AndreyUlanovxzzz Because he evidently didn't perform that jump with an audible... as it was gone with the helmet (if it was there in first place)! So he was "jumping without an audible backup". Please note, they didn't say he was "in the plane without an audible". The statement "evidently jumping without an audible backup" is simply true. LOL.

[@stmcutube]

Reminds me the first time I went low on 12-way or so..without even a thought, very shortly tracked me arse off at an angle away from the rest and probably hit the highest (..breakoff) Tracking Speed I'd ever achieived...Smokin'...Opened well away from the rest and still made it back to the Landing Area! Failure surpassed by Awesome Exhilaration!!!

[@cwinter90]

I'm a somewhat newer jumper but I've always been taught the formation should go to the lowest man. With that said, this appears to me that one of the people jumping with him should have noticed, at least at first he was sinking out, built the formation on him and when realizing he couldn't see... watched him until deployment time skipping the original dive plan altogether. As soon as something is totally jacked up like that the plan should switch to focusing on maintaining safety and not on the stupid dive flow whatever that may be IMO. Or, I'm just an idiot and the dive flow is much more important.

[@25sunbeam]

None of the other three look especially experienced, even though one is wearing a camera. They probably didn’t have the awareness or insight to realise what was happening and what they might do to help.

[@patrickswayze2596]

@@25sunbeam the dude in blue put zero effort into breaking away, so that to me indicates they were all novice jumpers.

[@adamkvogel8495]

When I jump on any belly formation dives, I always stress to "go to the low man" if there is one. This is a prime example of why we go to low man. It's not just to include low man in the jump. It's for safety. None of these people, including the video guy, attempted to go to the low man OR to even keep an eye on where he was. The S&TA there should have a serious talk with them about safety because they obviously aren't concerned about it.

[@Miglen]

I do agree on the gear cheks, but let's assume that we are in this situation for a moment. Would a back flying and potentially back track would have helped? By this you are flipping yourself and the windflow won't affect your eyesight potentially making you able to see the group, track away and see your alti to flip and open with closed eyes, or this approach would be too risky?

[@5i1v3rStorm]

Exactly what I thought! A friend of mine (TandemInstructor) once lost her helmet. She told me she could see the altimeter fine - being in the burble of the guest's head. This makes me believe, you could see while backtracking. However, I don't even have 100 jumps so who am I to talk 😆

[@Alltheabove460]

Dude I do video for tandems and forgot my goggles twice. Got the shot. Could see. It's not THAT crazy. Just squinting a little.. but he's old maybe his eye lids aren't what they used to be. But yes back flying and tracking in any direction would have most likely stopped this from happening. But he's old...maybe his mind isn't what it used to be either. Not tryna be rude but shit some old people shouldn't be driving let alone skydiving. When you forget to secure your helmet and chest strap and then proceed to sink into the distance, not track anywhere and pull directly underneath your group you might be ready for sky retirement. Again. Not tryna be rude but I was almost killed by a lovely old couple on the freeway who couldn't hear me honking as they proceeded to turn with out looking into me almost squeezing me into a semi truck sandwich.

[@funkylosik]

definitely would help. I had 50 Jumps and could flip on my back and fly like that, nice feeling. Just put one hand to your body and you're flipped ;)

[@benbazy9238]

@@Alltheabove460 - - - - -- " maybe his eyelids aren't what they used to be " funniest shit I have heard in a long time

[@MyYouTubeNick]

Yeah, but - I'm not sure - not all containers are designed to freefly, thus back fly, too?

[@juanvacca1759]

The moment they noticed someone is missing a helmet, the planned dive should be over . Trying to make "points" and video after one of the group is having an emergency with visibility isn't the best choice. Glad they are all safe

[@comcast831]

Ya good point. But idk I’ve forgotten my goggles on one or 2 jumps and just squinted my eyes. I can see fine 🤷🏻‍♂️ 😂

[@sirhansel]

This video is an important reminder to pay your camera man.

[@chewiebhz]

People sometimes make fun of me, because I use 2 altimeters (one on my right arm, one on the left) + 2 audible altimeters. The truth is I barely even check them sometimes when I'm filming tandems on a small plane. (No traffic except for me and the tandem. But I've lent altimeters inside the plane more than once. 😅

[@sergeig685]

I lost my visor on one jump. Although not enjoyable, squinting my eyes provided enough vis to keep group in sight and see the altimeter.

[@abenjak]

The bule guy should have tracked away and opened early. Track away to make sure to separate from the group. Open early to avoid messing with other jumpers (who jumped before or are next in line to jump).

[@CutawayTV1]

A simple 3 by 3 check should have cought this for sure! I'm also a little confused why the audible thing is mentioned here, because there is little chance you would hear your beeps when your helmet is not with you anymore. However i do agree that an audible is a very good investment regardless of your discipline. I always wear 2 and would rather jump with my audibles only than with my viso only. But: Why didn't mr Blue track away before deploying?!?! Maybe the stress of losing his helmet made him brain-fart a bit?

[@benbazy9238]

I disagree, I would rather Alti over my audible any day of the week, if I had a choice of only one.

[@CutawayTV1]

@@benbazy9238 I agree 1 visual over 1 audible, but i mean 2 audibles over 1 visual :)

[@simondonnelly3802]

If you look closely at the bottom edge of the screen, you’ll notice that he tracks back under the formation. The camera flyer has the person going far to the left out of shot but then they track back. Then deploy.

[@benbazy9238]

@@simondonnelly3802 Nice Catch !!!

[@comcast831]

Why in the world would u rather jump with an audible than a visual alti what?

[@TomP-nw4wu]

Not good awareness by the video guy, when the guy went low move around to the other side of the formation and film, keeping an eye on the low man.

[@declanxiang5223]

i think he should start tracking 5s to any direction and deploy immediately when he lost his helmet. Rather than keep belly flying for such a long time with the team and deploy near them. 😢

[@SEILLC]

Rookies making rookie decisions. If I were that camera guy I would flown over to the other side of that formation to keep that guy in blue in sight. That's not how a camera guy is supposed to do it, but when you have an unpredictable jumper it's the safest thing to do. Remand guy in blue back to tracking class.

[@minyardmatt]

Woww his helmet flew off + then he pulls under the bros! Awareness level zero

[@TheDAVE858]

sun glasses are great. They always stay on your face & they do a decent job keeping wind off your eyes. If he'd a had sun glasses with a tie it'd a been a non issue.

[@MaxMax-nb1lm]

I wouldn't want you in my formation if you had sunglasses.

[@john.pado2336]

Isn't the MIA helmet the takeaway? Gear Prep? This guy...I mean, I have my gear but, that's why 😆!

[@valderja]

He could have at least tracked for a couple of seconds knowing he'd gone low. Fortunate that nobody got hurt.

[@richardtofield5210]

could be.dont know who else was on the load.might be dodgy if he tracked down the direction of the run in/flight line

[@SurvivalSquirrel]

Dude! How old is he? He may have to just let it be and not put others in danger!

[@julienf4373]

I'd guess the odds were still better to track blindly than stay under the boulder. Groups should raise their awareness when loosing a jumper, like abort the plan and play 'seek and survive'. I was just watching this similar impact one this morning!! kzbin.info/www/bejne/n37UZp1smdioeKM

[@Varga_Land]

Thought it was Boris Johnson first glance

[@PumbasPixel]

The jumper should have at least been able to separate from the group and track away and then pull.

[@billyomar5667]

Blue guy could have rolled over onto back to try and regain some eyesight.

[@natural9743]

The inexperience of this group should not relate to safety but sadly it does 😔

[@patrickswayze2596]

The dude in blue put no effort into breaking away. A very novice crew at best…

[@marksmith9176]

Flat earthers.

[@nobloubartete]

The audible altimeter would have been inside the helmet... so.... not helping

[@TEEMsky]

It was included as "Additional Notes" as a general statement of the importance of audibles, not pointing out that it would've been a helpful tool in this particular incident. The post has been updated to clarify that in the Additional Notes section.

[@carpediem235]

Позитивный дед 😆

[@olexiydevyatka]

The fourth jumper should be banned.

[@jaffacalling53]

Nah he needs to be checked for dementia lol

[@peterhalloids2821]

First!!!1

[@sduru]

Bloody cheap helmets....

[@ewphoriq9485]

FIRST!!!!!

[@Delboy3001]

Wow