A DESCRIPTION OF  THE JUMP PROCESS

We offer Tandem Skydives to our First time jumpers. 

There is a twenty minute briefing to get you ready for the jump.  If you continue with skydiving we offer advanced lessons. 

Typically you book a 'arrival' time with us, for example 1 pm on Thursday.   Bring good running shoes for the jump and clothing appropriate for the weather.  Do your best to be on time for your arrival time.  Your "departure time" is one hour later.

Once you arrive we have a waiver you are required to read and sign.  After this we will begin a short briefing.  The first Tandem skydive is intended to introduce you to skydiving in a fun and safe environment.  You need to understand  that what you are about to do is NOT a CARNIVAL ride.  Your actions can either compliment (assist) the Tandem Master or hinder the Tandem Master's efforts.  The training will focus on the key things you can do to affect how smoothly and safely the jump goes.   You will then select a snug skydiving suit, snug goggles, and snug helmet.  We assist you with putting on the harness and snugging it up to fit. 

Your jump time is about an hour after your arrival. The flight to altitude takes about 15-20 minutes.  During all of this there is some nervous laughter.  Prior to opening the door we snug the student harness to the instructor's harnesses and perform a safety check.  Once the door opens . . . WE JUMP.  We free fall at 120 mph for about 42 seconds, closer to 50 if we go to 11,000 ft..  

The Instructor opens the parachute at about 4,000 ft. and the pair of you fly down for a landing.
During the 4-5 minute canopy flight you are encouraged to take part in steering
the parachute. After landing we have a First Jump Certificate for you and a
training log.  You, of course, get big time bragging rights when you go
home.  Friends  are allowed to come out to the landing area and watch.

Will the jump happen in the time frames alotted?

Yes.  Okay we cannot claim to be 100% perfect obviously.  The weather can causes delays or people are late and this sends a ripple throught the the day.  We keep a close eye on the booking book and allow the  correct amount time per group.

Do we take more that ONE parachute?

Yes, all skydivers jump with two parachutes: a main parachute and a reserve.  The main parachute is bigger than a reserve and is packed (in about 15 minutes) by a certified packer.  The reserve parachute is packed ONLY by specially-trained people called riggers.  It takes about two hours to inspect and pack a reserve parachute.  In most cases the reserve is opened by pulling a metal ripcord handle which lets a spring loaded pilot chute system pull out the reserve. 

 

 Are there backups on my backup parachute?  Yes!  On all Student and Tandem Rigs it is mandatory to have an independant mechanical or electronic device on the reserve parachute.  This device is called an Automatic Activation Device (AAD's) and it monitors the speed and altitude of the jumper and can, within certain parameter's, open the reserve parachute.  AAD's in parachuting are equivalent of the coach in boxing.  The boxer goes out and fights the fight. The coach watches.  If the boxer starts making bad decisions and is going to get hurt the coach can throw in the towel and stop the fight.  The AAD monitors the jumper's SPEED and ALTITUDE.  If it "sees" that you are close to the ground going more than 80 mph straight down.  It opens your reserve.  Most AAd's are calibrated to save you at the "last possible moment".  Having your AAD save your life does not earn you any merit badges. 

Can my Friends come and watch?

We encourage you to bring your friends and family with you!  What better way is there to share the excitement.  Spectators may , if they wish,  go to the landing area to watch/film landing.  Please be aware of your surroundings. 

As the jumpers and staff enter the aircraft boarding area spectators are required to stay back.

 

Can I bring my dog and children

Yes, dogs and children are allowed at the jump facility but there are issues with both.

 

Dogs must be on a leash at all times. Pets are not allowed in the building/loft at any time.  Outside, pet owners are asked to clean up any droppings and ensure that their animal does not ruin a parachute by defecting on it.  Damage to parachutes/aircraft caused by pets can be costly to the owner of the pet. 

 

Children find the world full of mysteries to investigate,  spectators desire to take pictures, and VES must monitor the overall safety of the operation.  Children need to be supervised so that they to not wander into harm and this is the parents responsibility's. When people start getting excited about their friends jumping the children and the dogs are often forgotten.  For this reason we sometimes say "Kids and Dogs need to be tied up at the drop zone".  For the record the drop zone does not provide 'babysitting' services.

 

Can I breathe in free fall?

Yes, but only if you inhale.

 

What should I bring with me?

Good running shoes and clothing that lets you move freely at the hips and knees.  Loose clothing allows you to move freely and be more comfortable in the harness.  We provide all the sport specific gear; helmet, goggles, jumpsuit, and harness.

 

Do I get any 'proof' that I jumped.

Yes, after the jump we provide you with a training record ( a colorful momento) of your jump and a First Jump Certificate from the Canadian Sport Parachuting Association.

 

Has any one lost control of their bowls?

Not that they have admitted to.

 

Can I eat before I jump?

Yes please do.  We have had more issues with people being distracted by hunger than we ever have had with nausea.  Occassionally under canopy a novice might experience a bit of queasiness.  We will ask you to try steering the parachute with us...the hidden agenda is to allow you to feel in control.  If , ah, "vomity stuff" is uncontrollable we can "deal" it.

 

Can I have a beer before I jump?

No, skydiving requires all your sobriety.  We ask that jumpers respect this boundary.  Your actions affect your safety and the Tandem Master's safety.  Help keep us all safe.

 

Can I get a snack at the airport?

Yes,  we have snack machines, pop machines, and BBQ's are available.  The town of of Vulcan has several restaurants.

 

Can I get a tonne of fertilizers from you?

No, It is my dad who runs Hutchinson Fertilizer near Cochrane, Alberta.  You can contact him at 403-932 2131.