Whether you’ve been away from the sport for a few weeks, a few months, or even a few years, getting current again is one of the most important things you can do before your next skydive.
The Chris’s put together a #BackToSky lesson plan for anytime you need it. They cover gear checks, emergency procedures and canopy skills in these bite-sized chunks designed to rebuild confidence, refresh good habits, and help you return to the sky safely.
If you’re getting current – or simply want a refresher- these six lessons are an idea place to start.
Jump to the Lessons
- Why Currency Matters
- Lesson 1: Dust Off Your Rig
- Lesson 2: Check Your Lines
- Lesson 3: Inspect Your 3-Ring System
- Lesson 4: Pack & Hydrate
- Lesson 5: Practise Emergency Procedures
- Lesson 6: Revise Your Landing Pattern
- Keep Learning
Why Currency Matters
Currency is key for safety. We’ll start with a direct quote from the USPA Skydiver’s Information Manual concerning licensed skydivers returning to jumping after a break. Here’s what it says:
- Skydivers returning after a long period of inactivity encounter greater risk that requires special consideration to properly manage.
- Care should be taken to regain or develop the knowledge, skills, and awareness needed to satisfactorily perform the tasks planned for the jump.
- Jumps aimed at sharpening survival skills should precede jumps with other goals.
Scroll down to check out the #IcarusBackToSky lessons and see where you might need a slight refresher! Here are the first 6 lessons, more to come soon!
Lesson 1: Dust Off Your Rig
First up, let’s dust off those backpacks… Stewy pulls out his rig and canopy and goes through checking all the main attachment points, rubber bands, pilot chute and even a sniff test. Never given your canopy the sniff test? Better watch and see 😉
Lesson 2: Check Your Lines
The very animated and enthusiastic Professor Snelly takes you through how to check your lines and what to watch out for before you take to the skies after a break.
Lesson 3: Inspect Your 3-Ring System
The upbeat Professor Snelly and Stewy go over the rights and wrongs of 3-rings, RSLs, skyhooks and pins in the third episode of our #IcarusBackToSky series.
Lesson 4: Pack & Hydrate
Since this is a #getcurrent series for existing skydivers, we trust you all know how to pack your canopy already. So in the theme of the recent quarantine, we have a challenge for you – a Pack & Chug. Pull this one out whenever you need a little er, inspiration, to pack.
Lesson 5: Practise Emergency Procedures
“MALFUNCTION!” Arch, Look, Locate, Peel Pull Right, Peel Pull Left, Arch, 1000, 2000, 3000….! Whatever style emergency procedures you use, it’s always a good time to review them when you’re heading back to the sky after a break. Stewy takes you through a few things to remember in Lesson 5.
Read: Emergency Procedures: Staying Out of the Danger Zone.
Lesson 6: Revise Your Landing Pattern
It’s always a good time to revise and plan your canopy flight, current or not. So take a few minutes from your day to huddle around Stewy’s virtual blackboard as he gives a quick landing pattern refresher. Make sure to also read 25 ways to become a better canopy pilot here!
Keep Learning
Looking to build your confidence before your next jump? These resources are worth bookmarking:
Recurrency Training section of the USPA Skydiver’s Information Manual
Emergency Procedures: Staying Out of the Danger Zone
25 Ways to Become a Better Canopy Pilot
The Flying Habits of Highly Effective Canopy Pilots