Friday Freakout: Skydive Student Pulls Pilot Chute Through Harness, Causing Pilot Chute In Tow!

[@TEEMsky]

*WHAT HAPPENED* Here's a bizarre malfunction you don't see every day -- or ever. As this AFF student initiated the pull sequence, he accidentally slid his hand down the side of his body, under the harness, and pulled the pilot chute through the harness causing a pilot chute in tow! The instructor saw it happening but wasn't able to stop the student in time. Fortunately, in a ninja-level move, the AFF-I managed to grab the bridle, pulled the pilot chute back through the harness and released it; giving the student a regular deployment which he then landed. Wow. *WHY DID IT HAPPEN* Improper Harness Size The submission that came with this video noted that, due to the student's body type, the instructors wanted him on a larger canopy. However, the only container they had with a canopy of the proper size "didn't fit the student as well as (they) wanted." The jumper was doing well until he decided to slide his hand under his harness. The question that comes up is: if the equipment fit properly, would his hand have slid down on the outside of the container and not caused any issues at all? Murphy’s Law The AFF-I who sent in this video noted that instructors should "Always expect students to find new and exciting ways to try and kill themselves, or you." This was certainly an incident underscoring that truism. *HOW COULD IT BE PREVENTED* Use the Right Equipment Hang out at enough dropzones and sooner or later you’ll hear the phrase, "Student gear is usually one-size-fits-none." However, this incident underscores why that type of argument can result in serious consequences. Ultimately, every jumper should be using equipment that doesn’t compromise when it comes to safety but that’s even more important when it comes to students. Instructors, S&TA’s, DZM’s and DZO’s have a responsibility to make sure that new jumpers are entering the sport safely. *ADDITIONAL NOTES* Two Different Instructors We really want to applaud the main-side instructor on an amazing job realizing what was happening and pulling that bridle back through the harness to get the pilot chute out. Even after watching it a few times, it doesn’t stop being impressive how quickly he reacted. Another note, however, is the fact that the reserve-side instructor had already left the student during the deployment when they are typically supposed to ride through the deployment until the student is ripped out of their hands.

[@phutton88]

Yea the STUDENT malfunctioned. Actually, upon further review in my own mind, I conceive of the possibility that the student may have been taught to slide their hand down their body or the side of the rig to ensure they'd eventually feel the main pilot chute handle. Maybe, with sensory overload, they mistakenly used their body instead of the side of the rig and desperately snaked their hand through any resistance they found (the harness).Or the student formulated their own clever plan (so they thought) to do this without sharing this sketchy method with their instructor. Or their instructor didn't conceive of the possibility of this catastrophic result.

[@SC-Sky]

@@phutton88 prior to this moment, he’d been a good student on previous jumps and never tried this method during any of the practices.

[@Anya_Boo]

Seen this once back in 2010 in Russia. Situation was not resolved, AAD fired, nobody was hurt.

[@mudo1991]

Student was just checking if he could trust the instructors with his life. 😂😂😂

[@jasonmcmillan6598]

was the harness too loose? Maybe- I note that the near side inst was gripping and controlling the student by the harness. This improper use of the harness by the instructor facilitated the students ability to get his hand under the harness.

[@charlesjarmanii]

That is god level instructor! What a professional.

[@BehzadRad]

In first i read it good , i was mad it wasn’t good it was god you right ❤

[@SC-Sky]

Thank you :) learning occurred that day.

[@brian6140]

Don’t forget LUCKY

[@charlesd.2587]

Came to say the same thing. GREAT JOB...fantastic...heads up...calm. Could have been UGLY.

[@Spookykidshow]

@@Praise___YaH jesus was god

[@pastadrmartinssempa6295]

Give this instructor a gold medal. 🏅

[@SC-Sky]

I'll take gas cards, thanks.

[@MarcosAKSP]

@@SC-Sky ​ I was amazed that you didn't pull hard enough to open the pin and also that you could pull in the correct direction! Really good job!! The student did well too by not panicking after pulling

[@mozvidz]

*_Give every instructor on this channel medals, because otherwise if it had gone bad, we wouldn't be seeing the video here, would we?_*

[@intelevelmarketing1388]

@@SC-Sky Badass Man!, clearly you can see in the video the result of hours of hard work and experiencie recolected over the years... Congrats!

[@SC-Sky]

@@MarcosAKSP oh the pin was already pulled and dangling. Watch it again.

[@yarma22]

« The AFF-I who sent in this video noted that instructors should "Always expect students to find new and exciting ways to try and kill themselves, or you" ». That's pure gold 🤣🤣🤣

[@SC-Sky]

I'm not wrong when I say that. Case in point.

[@haveawonderfulday279]

As a rock climbing instructor I can fully agree to this!

[@olsky2627]

One thousand times Yes!

[@repentuklondonwatchman1373]

Yep.

[@Jivaromodelsvideo]

Congratulations to the instructor for analyzing the incident immediately and remedying it so quickly.

[@MisterIvyMike]

Without the slow mo, repeat multiple times and break I never would be able to recognize what was actually happening there! Yep, give that instructor a medal and free beer forever...

[@ioannisspitieris99]

What a save!!!! Well done man

[@SC-Sky]

Thank you :)

[@opnekryan]

What an incredible instructor, fast thinking saved this guys life!

[@rogerselzler]

That instructor should be drunk for an entire month at student's expenses! Lol nice catch!

[@SC-Sky]

I'll accept gas cards instead of bottles.

[@sanfranciscobay]

Hot meals are good too.

[@DUTYGRADE]

What an absolute stud of an instructor. Quick thinking and well executed

[@thomasanderson7454]

That instructor!!!! So impressed with the presence of mind and able to solve Problems under pressure!

[@-Galavanta-]

WOW!!! That instructor was WIDE awake.... That could have been a brutal horseshoe.

[@KeepinYouUp07]

Impeccable performance from that AFF-I 👏

[@SC-Sky]

Thanks :)

[@IkeOzurumba]

This is one of the best ones I've seen! that instructor was amazing in the response to that situation

[@SC-Sky]

I got lucky :)

[@TwilightSun32]

There are two options: 1. AFF-I is not a human 2. they trained that trick at least 12 times before Not sure which one is more realistic

[@SC-Sky]

I promise I am human, and that I just got lucky :)

[@TwilightSun32]

@@SC-Sky reaction is not only fast, but right one, you pulled right thing in right direction - that's amazing

[@SC-Sky]

@@TwilightSun32 I just got lucky after figuring out which one went which way.

[@Xplicid]

Is the student that got lucky…

[@donahuekm]

That instructor is a BOSS! Incredible focus and action! Well done!

[@SC-Sky]

I got lucky.

[@punkindrublic14]

Sickest AFF Instructor save EVER!

[@SkydivingSquid]

The instructor handled that like a pro. Well done!

[@SC-Sky]

I got lucky :)

[@kevinhacken9801]

@@SC-Sky Luck had nothing to do with it. 100% training, focus, and experience. Good god tier work.

[@SC-Sky]

@@kevinhacken9801 no training or experience prepared me for that.

[@Graydog-sx6le]

Wow. That made me so nervous to watch. He slid his hand right through the leg strap and pulled the pilot chute through it. Awesome instructor for not losing his shit and fixing the malfunction.

[@сергейстреж-ю3л]

Респект реакции и находчивости главного инструктора. Просунуть студенту руку под обвязку - это немыслимо, как и успеть вытянуть медузу на свободу!✌Чувак, ты спас ситуацию.

[@jjw6789]

This is impressively freakin wild on two levels, both happen to rate 11 out of 10 on the whack as shit scale. 1st of all, the student's hand sliding through that opening at all, second of all the instructor seeing it exactly for what it was and solving the problem because he exactly watched the whole shit. The instructor should've been too mind blown to even act that quickly

[@SC-Sky]

I didn't really have time to panic...I saw what he did and just knew I had to fix it quickly.

[@ktuscany324]

@@SC-Sky you my friend are a beast!

[@SC-Sky]

@@ktuscany324 thanks. I got lucky.

[@Agent-f3g]

Love how the instructors always be a hero in these situations 😍✌

[@BMCDVPJ]

Nicely played Sir! So smooth. I hope your student bought you a beer! As a former AFF-I, I salute you! You rock! Cheers!

[@ChrisFinck]

That instructor just completed the expert level of oh shit moments

[@Dizzyswoops]

AFF-I (or AI?) dealt with it as if he was thinking “oh jeez.. not again!” 😆 I feel like he had time to react just before it hit the fan but he was probably also mesmerized by such an ingenuity

[@SC-Sky]

I'm the AFF-I and I was more so astounded and busy simultaneously.

[@SkyHigh8800]

That's a whole new level of OOPS! I can't believe the instructor fished the bridle out like that. Respect! The student was absolutely swimming in that harness.

[@SkyHigh8800]

@@Praise___YaH the bible: greatest lie ever told

[@SC-Sky]

Yeah he was like 250lbs exit weight and we needed him on the 260 canopy which was in a larger container. On previous jumps the fit didn't seem to be terrible, and he'd been a good student on those jumps and in practice, never tried to pull like that. Student gear is one size fits none and most of us have jumped in larger gear for our size. Lots of learning occurred - I submitted the video for everyone to learn.

[@SkyHigh8800]

@@SC-Sky I hear ya, but at the Instructor, it's your responsibility to make sure the gear fits. Definitely a learning experience.

[@SC-Sky]

@@SkyHigh8800 two instructors (myself being one of them) assessed the gear fitment on the ground, in hard arch positions, and throughout other jumps...nothing we saw indicated it was dangerously loose, just slightly large. The way I grabbed it made it worse, and then he decided to try something new by sliding his hand down instead. It was the perfect storm of things that happened. Try it out on your own gear, I bet you can come close as well...I know I can and my gear is made to fit my size.

[@marksmith9176]

I have the upmost respect for AFF instructors. They will do everything to save the students life.

[@StopBlamingOtherPeople]

That instructor just saved that mans life. He owes the instructor beers for the rest of his life!

[@stephanamente4332]

U know the student has AAD?

[@SC-Sky]

AAD firing the reserve into an entangled main through the harness isn't really a good option.@@stephanamente4332

[@yvesbajulaz]

Damn, that was such an ultra bad ass move from the instructor…

[@ivpR1220]

He was looking for zip his pockets before deployment 🤣

[@wiley8976]

Bro that instructor is the man!!! That was attention to detail

[@Art--Deco]

Finally a good freakout, the last one didn't exist.

[@Mgp-Rc]

Well I have not seen one like that lol!! FRIGGIN GOOD SAVE BY THE JM!!!! NICE WORK DUDE!

[@17al3x17]

Good reaction for the instructor 👍

[@alrdye]

AFF instructors are gods man. What quick reflexes.

[@lordmonar]

How does that AFI-I maintain his fall rate with balls of steel like that! BZ and Kudos! Plus having the guts to post his mistake and his save on Freak Out Friday! It's good that our institutors admit to their mistakes.....as we all should!

[@SC-Sky]

I promise they’re not that big ;) This was years ago, I decided to share it for everyone to learn lessons and be safer.

[@yachtwork]

Nice work instructor. Saved a life today.

[@andy347]

All I can say is WOW, what an instructor!

[@sekaf4125]

Thank you for being calm collected and observant

[@sebastianhildebrand2357]

I belive the student also was only one second from following his safety proccedure hand cuting away. Great job by him aswell referring to the instructor and remembering to cut.

[@nealdmiller]

Agree! Student also held position pretty well. I think many would have gone into a tumble.

[@SC-Sky]

He was close, and I am glad he was stable and on time throughout everything. I got lucky with him :)

[@alexandreerdnaxela3862]

World champion‘s Instructor 🏆🏆🥇🥇 !!!! Massive respect….

[@canatolakhoemini6728]

That's ninja level there! Strong work!

[@feshprod1121]

Instructor, your are rock, thank for your job, you guys offer us sensation and safety !! thank guys

[@Billbeaux]

Here let's squeeze our hand thru this strap cause that feels right

[@Ebrius_]

My thought exactly, how many of his practice reaches felt like that?

[@SC-Sky]

@@Ebrius_ none. He was a good student until that point.

[@ronaldonogueira74]

Instructor was just perfect, really amazing awareness.

[@SC-Sky]

I got lucky.

[@benwearne542]

That instructor is has lightning-fast processing speed. What a freaking professional that man is.

[@SC-Sky]

I got lucky.

[@tarajoyce3598]

Instructor tried to stop him from pulling at all and then fixed it before the horseshoe could happen. Dude! Amazing!

[@Skydive_Greg]

That was very impressive work by the instructor and quite creative work by the student…

[@SC-Sky]

Thanks :) they never cease to amaze you.

[@Praise___YaH]

Guys, HERE is The Savior YaH The Heavenly FATHER HIMSELF was Who they Crucified for our sins, NOT jesus, and “HERE IS THE PROOF” From the Ancient Semitic Scroll: "Yad He Vav He" is what Moses wrote, when Moses asked YaH His Name (Exodus 3) Ancient Semitic Direct Translation Yad - "Behold The Hand" He - "Behold the Breath" Vav - "Behold The NAIL"

[@Skydive_Greg]

@@Praise___YaH #GTFOH with your magic #skyfairy #bullshit

[@Solaris4393]

Инструктор от Бога! Настоящий профессионал!

[@joshpelham8745]

amazing! save by that instructor! That's a good heads and somebody who's comfortable in the air.

[@SC-Sky]

I got lucky :)

[@sirtango1]

I’m NEVER skydiving again on a Friday!

[@jonslg240]

Haha this is such an underrated comment

[@neomatrix3612]

This instructor is a complete legend.

[@barrymccockiner6641]

Student better buy that AFF-I two cases of beer. Great work!

[@NateGoesOutside]

That’s incredible! That instructor is freaking next level.

[@NateGoesOutside]

@@Praise___YaH talk about a non sequitur. you’re nuts buddy.

[@yossi1410]

Main side instructor S-tier sky ninja confirmed. I can't stop watching the slo-mo part.

[@SC-Sky]

It was scarier in person :)

[@yossi1410]

@@SC-Sky I bet it was! Amazing work! Seemed like you anticipated it before he even went to deploy. Your student should get you at least a 12 pack for that.

[@SC-Sky]

@@yossi1410 I'll accept gas cards.

[@IansRcFun]

It's a good thing that guy had no idea what the hell was going on or he would have started panicking and that would have been a far worse situation!

[@smellyelle8422]

Woooo nice save AFF I! And to be fair, the student stayed arched and stable whilst the mess was sorted.

[@SC-Sky]

Luckily he was a pretty good student aside from this. Stayed stable and tried to pull on time. Tried.

[@IAnonymous3]

I just read the description to see what the holy hell happened here and my God….. This man deserves instructor of the year or some shit..

[@jessetaylor9255]

What a save by the instructor

[@CapitalCreators]

Never realized how much skill it takes to fall!

[@lanr1319]

Super professional instructor….great job!

[@Bukovphilip]

What a save. I can’t believe it’s real. Great job.

[@bjones9942]

I wouldn't put this on the student at all. The harness was far too loose and a student doesn't know what it feels like when something is funky. The instructor was also using the harness as a grip which made the situation worse. I know I'll get hate, but that's what I see. Yes, kudos to the instructor for his/her quick action - but fail on the pre-jump check and for making the problem possible.

[@SC-Sky]

It is easy to criticise and hindsight is 20/20. On the ground, the student had practiced perfectly and had been good on the other jumps. We had him in that rig because he was rather dense for his height, about 5'8" and 220-230lbs if I remember right, so we needed the largest student canopy we could to keep him at a 1:1 or less. Student gear is one size fits none, and generally speaking, a smaller canopy than necessary will present more of a hazard just about every time than a harness slightly too large. There are always exceptions to these situations, and this was one of them. I submitted the video for learning on everyone's part.

[@bjones9942]

@@SC-Sky I'm just wondering what situations justify putting a student in danger? My instructor didn't even watch my jumps and I was lucky to only break an ankle. Take chances with your own gear, but never a student. Just my opinion.

[@antipropo461]

@@SC-Sky What I noticed is the student never looked after "deployment" of pc. When I jumped in the long ago as soon as I went from student round canopy to square (7 cell) I bought my own rig,btw even on the student gear I packed the main.

[@adayinthelife5772]

@@SC-Sky You did everything right. Screw the critics.

[@svarun32]

Hello guys, i am new to this world. any suggestions from which institution i can learn skydiving courses? Thank's

[@jimjab3631]

That instructor just leveled up

[@c-techruckbaugmbh2997]

"Ninja-Level-Move"😂😂 made my Day

[@JordoVideo]

Instructor of the year award!!!

[@randyhunt6115]

That’s some heads up jump mastering! excellent job

[@billorights1596]

Instructor stayed calm.. working the problem.. higher opening made it possible to work and still be safe, deploys chute with air to spare

[@MaKaVeLi_9mm]

This instructor is a legend!!

[@sierramikebravo7332]

Quick thinking instructor, bloody great effort

[@ro75lf]

Many has said it. But that instructor is a true Skygod💪

[@Gixer750pilot]

What is interesting is he reaches round into he practice pulls perfectly fine but when he knows he’s actually going to throw the chute he doesn’t swing his arm round , more dive straight at it

[@valderja]

Nice save by the primary there.

[@Andy152R]

The student was just making the instructor check if his pilot chute was cocked. lol.

[@oldmate86]

I've gotta say that this was in part caused by the instructor using the harness as a grip instead of using the leg grip. The students practice pulls were great. It's clear that the harness isnt a great fit either.

[@SC-Sky]

Harness is the most solid grip you will get on a student.

[@grahamjordan1040]

@@SC-Sky so what’s the point of a leg grip doh

[@SC-Sky]

@@grahamjordan1040 leg grips like on the side grippers? Those are more for skydiving formations or oh shit moments where you're trying to grab any part of the student when they do dumb stuff. Otherwise, you want to grab the harness because that's the most sturdy point to grab.

[@wildeyestudios5]

What a Legend! What a save!

[@TheDarkDiciple]

Holy smokes. Thats could have been a ride... great save from the Main!

[@skysurfer]

Not only did the instructor unthread the pilot chute from the harness, he did so without prematurely pulling the pin on the container which was already under pressure to release due to the bridle itself being in the air stream.

[@SC-Sky]

The pin was already out

[@skysurfer]

@@SC-Sky Indeed it was, thanks.

[@michaelsage74]

That instructor is on a whole other level.🤩

[@baaz]

Wow! Great work by the instructor!

[@craggerrs]

These instructors are incredible

[@samclarkefilms]

Funniest malfunction ever! 🤣 you can see the main side instructor already trying to grab the students arm as he reaches through into the deployment of death... great save! Not sure what the reserve side was playing at!

[@SC-Sky]

I couldn't stop him...but it happened so fast.

[@CartarioTheFarmer]

That instructor saved the day. Wow.

[@Mgp-Rc]

THAT JM deserves a PAY RISE!!!!

[@MrSaqr98]

thumbs up for the instructor

[@DuncanJimmy]

I am in awe of the kind of experience and steely nerves someone has to have in order to assess the problem and solve it while plummeting to one's death at 200 kph. We all know those people who freeze or panic in an emergency, thank God this instructor wasn't one of them.

[@SC-Sky]

I just got lucky.

[@canatolakhoemini6728]

That wasn't luck. That was knowing your job well. Yes , if that pin had pulled, his world would likely be a lot different now. That was lucky I guess but you pulling the pc through the harness like that was knowledge and experience. And to the dude stating harness was too loose, I haven't seen many that are too tight to do that because it would be way uncomfortable. My rig fit snug but on my belly there was slack.

[@SC-Sky]

@@canatolakhoemini6728 the pin was pulled, watch it again. But thank you.

[@madani6936]

Thanks to the INSTRUCTOR... I feel scared by just watching it.....

[@seanroland612]

Didn’t know that was possible! Lol good save to the instructor

[@OliverMiller787]

Yep that Instructer deserves a medal!

[@cazzy4133]

Nice one Instructor, well executed ❤

[@Ebrius_]

Finally a freak out last week's wasnt

[@willimassinger6469]

With students that are so inept, being an instructor must get stressful 🤣

[@SC-Sky]

AFF is an emotional rollercoaster, yes.

[@matthewmc4363]

100% saved his life.

[@somebodythatiusedtoknoooooooow]

daaaaamn that looked really bad for a second....

[@Gameoflifeplayhard]

WELL DONE INSTRUCTOR!

[@mohdadani2367]

The Instructor is an angel

[@alexbmaninho]

“He did not know it was impossible so he did it”

[@hankrawlings6505]

Great job, instructor

[@WarrenK2]

Excellent training video for anyone with coach or instructor ratings!

[@SC-Sky]

I actually talked to 4 different AFF-I course people and they said they'd use it in their material.

[@ericcrittenden2166]

our instructors do not get enough credit....

[@mohammedskydive]

Professional instructor !