tandem vector owner's manual

SIGMA TANDEM SYSTEM OWNER’S MANUAL
These guidelines are not optional. They must be followed, or the Tandem Instructor and Tandem rig owner will be in
violation of the User Agreement under which Tandem jumping is operated and will consequently no longer be
allowed to legally perform Tandem Jumps.
PARTICIPANTS QUALIFICATIONS
For any relative worker to accompany a Tandem pair, the following criteria must be met:
1) Relative worker must have a minimum of 500 relative work skydives; or
2) Relative worker must be either a current Tandem Instructor or a current AFF jumpmaster.
3) Relative worker must have made at least 100 relative work jumps in the last year.
4) Cameramen must meet all the above guidelines, and in addition, must have at least 100 camera jumps.
RW TANDEM BRIEFING
If the Tandem Instructor does decide to take a relative worker on a jump, a briefing must take place before the jump
between Tandem Instructor and relative worker which covers these points:
1) No one should ever pass directly over or under the Tandem pair in freefall or droguefall. On exit, the Tandem
Instructor needs room to deploy the drogue, and at any time after that, the drogue could suddenly become a
deploying main canopy.
2) Once under the drogue, the Tandem pair has very little ability to change drogue fall velocity or to move horizontally
(track). This means they can’t get out of the way of someone who is closing too fast or someone sliding under them.
Therefore, NEVER let anyone who is not a skilled relative worker accompany a Tandem pair on a dive (see fatality
report section).
If the grips are taken, take them on the student, not the Tandem Instructor.
3) Because the Tandem pair cannot track very effectively, they must obtain opening separation by opening higher
than everyone else. Accompanying relative workers must not attempt to open their main canopies with the Tandem
pair. A minimum of 1000' vertical separation is required - to avoid collision situations.
BRIEFING REVIEW
To review: when you dirt dive Tandem drogue relative work, tell the participants four things.
1) Give me room to deploy the drogue in the first five seconds after exit.
2) NEVER pass directly over or under us.
2B) Grip the student, NOT the Tandem Instructor.
3) Approach slowly and dock gently.
4) Wave-off signal given at 6000ft
5) Let me pull first at 4,000' or above, and give us at least 1000' vertical separation.
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