SkyDive PA

[fshowcars]

@EricS4

I did a tandem jump with Skydive PA about four years ago. Here is my story… I got a bit more than I bargained for.

Let me start by saying it was a blast and that I would do it again. Nevertheless, things got a bit interesting when our primary chute failed to completely open. Two of the cords got tangled and a center of the canopy would not open. So after a few seconds of struggle my instructor released the chute and opens the emergency chute. What a great feeling… free fall, first chute deploys, enjoy the view, free fall, second chute deploys. Talk about a ride. Anyhoo, after the second chute opens I notice that my instructor is working the controls as hard as he was for the first chute. Of course I have no idea of what is normal since I have never done this before. All I know is that he seems to be having trouble with this chute as well. So after about 10-15 seconds of him working the second chute I decide to ask him “are we ok?” His response was “no, be calm.” Now that’s something you don’t want to hear when you are 4,000 feet in the air, trust me. I remained calm and just had faith that he would sort things out. Obviously he did… otherwise I would not be writing this post.

My family was there and became aware of a problem above when people on the ground began to scramble around preparing for all possibilities. They knew there was a problem but did not know with whom because my buddy (T.C.) was up there too. Actually, T.C. had a fun moment as well due to my chute problems. He and his instructor jumped after I did so his instructor had a good view of what was going on below. They were still in their free fall when his instructor sees my instructor jettison our primary chute and then open the emergency chute. This prompts T.C.'s instructor to say, “oh shit.” Of course T.C. has no idea of what is happening below. All he knows is that his instructor just said “oh shit” while they are free falling at 120mph. Talk about panic. The instructor quickly mentioned they were ok and pointed out that we were having trouble below. Whew!

So that’s my story. It was mostly fun once things settled down and I now have a great story to tell. I guess.

:eek4:

wow… so you would do it again, but have you done it again? and i’ll stay down here by the way…

also my roommate’s girlfriend in college went through them. she’s still alive