In this part of our skydiving guide we'll give you an overview of the clothing and equipment that is necessary.
Skydivers use several items of specialised equipment and clothing. For confidence, competence and safety reasons, jumpers must understand what each piece does and how it works.
A parachute comprises several component parts that are contained in different sections of a pack worn on the jumper's back. The main canopy is placed in a container called a D-bag (or deployment bag). It is attached via a two-metre rope called the bridle to the pilot chute, which is in a pocket on the bottom of the cute pack. This smaller chute, also known as a drogue, is deployed first to aid in properly opening the main canopy. The pack also holds a reserve chute for deployment in the event the main chute fails. Once the parachute has been deployed, the jumper can steer and brake using hand toggles.
If for any reason a skydiver fails to attempt to release the parachute, the automatic activation device (or AAD) will kick in. This palm-sized computer measures height above ground level and the speed of descent, and if the jumper fails to deploy the chute by the appropriate height, the AAD will automatically cut a strap to open the parachute. This device can save a skydiver's life in the event of a blackout or entanglement.
The altimeter lets the skydiver know the elevation and the speed of descent. An altimeter senses air pressure, which changes as the jumper falls. These devices are usually digital and are accurate to within a few meters. Before the plane takes off, altimeters are calibrated on the ground.
Skydiving suits come in a range of styles. They are designed to protect against the wind while parachutists are in the air from abrasions and cuts on landing. Styles of suit differ in significant ways such as tightness, fabrics and how and where straps are attached. Tighter suits enable faster acceleration and higher terminal velocity; different materials have different aero-dynamic qualities; and strap attachments vary in different types of skydiving.
A helmet is necessary because there's a possible chance of head trauma when hitting the ground. Landings should be made on your feet, and it's very rare for a skydiver to have to hit the ground and roll, but it's possible for a gust of wind, a trip or other event to put a skydiver's head on the ground. They also typically incorporate two-way radios which allow in-the-air and air-to-ground communication.
Skydivers use several items of specialised equipment and clothing. For confidence, competence and safety reasons, jumpers must understand what each piece does and how it works.
A parachute comprises several component parts that are contained in different sections of a pack worn on the jumper's back. The main canopy is placed in a container called a D-bag (or deployment bag). It is attached via a two-metre rope called the bridle to the pilot chute, which is in a pocket on the bottom of the cute pack. This smaller chute, also known as a drogue, is deployed first to aid in properly opening the main canopy. The pack also holds a reserve chute for deployment in the event the main chute fails. Once the parachute has been deployed, the jumper can steer and brake using hand toggles.
If for any reason a skydiver fails to attempt to release the parachute, the automatic activation device (or AAD) will kick in. This palm-sized computer measures height above ground level and the speed of descent, and if the jumper fails to deploy the chute by the appropriate height, the AAD will automatically cut a strap to open the parachute. This device can save a skydiver's life in the event of a blackout or entanglement.
The altimeter lets the skydiver know the elevation and the speed of descent. An altimeter senses air pressure, which changes as the jumper falls. These devices are usually digital and are accurate to within a few meters. Before the plane takes off, altimeters are calibrated on the ground.
Skydiving suits come in a range of styles. They are designed to protect against the wind while parachutists are in the air from abrasions and cuts on landing. Styles of suit differ in significant ways such as tightness, fabrics and how and where straps are attached. Tighter suits enable faster acceleration and higher terminal velocity; different materials have different aero-dynamic qualities; and strap attachments vary in different types of skydiving.
A helmet is necessary because there's a possible chance of head trauma when hitting the ground. Landings should be made on your feet, and it's very rare for a skydiver to have to hit the ground and roll, but it's possible for a gust of wind, a trip or other event to put a skydiver's head on the ground. They also typically incorporate two-way radios which allow in-the-air and air-to-ground communication.
0 comments:
Post a Comment