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What You Can Do to Land Safely When Free Falling Without a Parachute
from: Maxx Sports GuidesNo one in his right mind would jump out of an airplane without a parachute; however, even with a parachute thousands of feet up in the air the potential for danger is still present.
Something can go wrong when you're training, enjoying a mid-air thrill, or even while you're still in an airplane waiting to jump.
Airline disasters and failed parachutes can still happen. In such a situation you may be free falling through the air without a parachute.
Fortunately, there are ways you can survive even without a parachute.
Skydiving may look like fun in photographs, and the people look as if they're having the time of their life, but real life isn't always picture perfect. You don't have to be paranoid but it's wise to be mentally alert.
Unplanned Free Fall and Survival
Finally, you're about to put those skydiving lessons into practice, and make your inaugural jump. Everything is going well. You've positioned your body well and are currently free falling.
As your fear starts to subside, you realize how foolish you were for acting like a coward when your feet were on solid ground. You start the deployment sequence when suddenly something goes wrong.
In this situation your main canopy may fail to inflate, get tangled in the line or tear apart. Recalling your lessons, you deploy the reserve chute. Unfortunately, the reserve chute doesn't work and you keep free falling as you see the ground getting closer.
Do this first: stop panicking and start thinking. Skydivers jump from a plane at 12,000 feet above the ground. During free fall you're dropping at 125 miles per hour. At 125 miles per hour you'll travel 12,000 feet in one minute.
Look for Water, Trees
That means you only have 60 seconds to come up with a plan. Next, look for something that may break your fall or at least reduce the impact. Look for a body of water and dive. Make sure that the water will be deep enough.
If there's no water look for trees. Look for a conifer type of tree such as a redwood. If there are no trees and the suburbs loom ahead try to land on the roof of an RV or mobile home.
In an airline disaster, you can also take steps to survive the ordeal. It's natural to panic at 35,000 feet, but don't lose hope, because at 15,000 feet you'll get your chance. First look for parachutes that may be lying around in the cargo hold, or any piece of wreckage that's flat and aerodynamically suitable.
If you're still in your seat while free falling, get off and look for trees. A tree with a recurrent growth pattern is ideal. You can also look for snow and steer yourself earthward by putting your arms at your sides.
If those options aren't available the last resort would be to land on your side so that five parts of your body absorb the shock equally.
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