ISSUE 14 : Jan/Feb - 1979 - Australian Defence Force Journal

PARACHUTE FAMILIARISATION COURSES A GRADUATE'S REPORT" 55You put on your parachute, line up for acheck (buckles, straps, pack, NOK); and boardthe bus in the reverse order to jumping order.First into bus, last into aircraft, first into water;last into bus, first into aircraft, last into water.At least it gives you something to think aboutfor a while.The FlightCaribous are still noisy; the pilot looks soyoung (Does your mother know you're out?).You reach the right height and speed (about1500 feet, 100 knots, or for non-technicalpeople — awful high and fast) and approachthe DZ (Drop Zone or Dribbling Zombie,depending on who you are).The dispatcher (the grinning clown whoknows he's not going out) throws out somestreamers. I'm told they establish wind driftand are not for use by the nervous to cleansecertain parts of the anatomy. (Why did thewater look a funny colour after the first drop?Then, four at a time, you stand up, hook up,stand in the door and GOOOOOOOOOO!Initially it's a shock to see them standing thereone minute and completely out of sight the next(reminds me of some lifts in the city).You also learn if you're not first out that:a. the dispatcher can break the tight grip ofthe jumpers arm;b. bending at the knees as you walk downthe ramp doesn't get you lhal much closerto the ground;andc. the parachutes DO work (at least up untilnow)!Then it's your turn, 30 seconds — Red light— Green light — GO. If you're not first in line,stare intently at the back of the head of theperson in front; when he goes, gaze fixedly atthe horizon (I don't think they taught that, butit was better than looking at that drop below).I must admit 1 have no recollection of thetime from hearing 'GO' to the time I felt a tugon my shoulders, opened my eyes and saw- thatbig, beautiful, wonderful parachute open aboveme (fear does some funny things). Even if it wasall twisted, it looked good. Remember theinstructor said if it's twisted, don't worry, itwill untwist itself! It did! (I mean whatcondition was 1 in to do anything about it?) Bythis time about 20 seconds have elapsed sinceyou took that first step.For the next 20-30 seconds you really enjoyyourself. The feeling of floating free, thescenery, the admiring (?) crowds on the beach,the fact that you're still alive makes it allworthwhile. Then you remember somethingabout preparing to land!Level with the hills (500 ft), work yourselfinto the straps so that you're sitting in theharness, grasp the rigging with one hand, turnand hit the buckle releasing your straps, flickthe leg straps clear, grasp the rigging with bothhands and prepare to hit the water. It DIDwork when we practised it! Oh well, don'tworry about sitting in the harness, wait a fewmore seconds. There! You can see the pick-upboat clearly — must only be about 100 ft below— undo the buckle — you can hang on with onearm (King Kong couldn't break that grip).Straps free; both hands gripping shoulderstraps, feet hit the water and you're under.Arch your back, arms up and the parachutedoes come clear! Up to the surface, crew menwith grinning faces pull you into the boat,collect your 'chute and take you to shore. It isthe cold water making you shiver!A change of clothes, cup of coffee and asandwich and down to the local for a couple ofbeers, swap lies with the others and watch thesecond plane-load descend. Being an expert youcan now appreciate the ungainly exits andwatch it all with condescending amusement.Was it worth it? Would 1 do it again? Myoath! t*