Something happened last weekend that I thought was worth
sharing...first of all we DO have RSLs on all our student
canopies, but we do not tell them this, in case it does not
work...we train the pull cutaway, pull reserve handle way. We
also have BOC's on all student rigs. Anyhow, a girl had done the
tandem program and was now on her second AFF with me...the plan
was for me to hold on to her until we got flat and stable then
let her go and her to stay stable and perform her three practice
pulls. Before we boarded the aircraft I checked her over
everything looked good, we climb up to altitude and got out
right over the airport at 12,000ft. Exit went good, and she was
stable and relaxed, as soon as I let her go her pin dislodged,
opened up the container, and caused a horseshoe malfunction. She
looked up and back and noticed something was wrong, she very
quickly but calmly reached back and threw out her pilot chute,
which did nothing...she then cutaway, while staying calm and
relaxed. The RSL did not work!! She then checked her altitude
which was about 9,000, she looked at me shrugged her shoulders,
and started her three practice pulls, but each time putting her
hands on the reserve handle. She pulled at 5,000ft. as planned,
and the reserve opened smoothly...I myself could not have
remained that calm in this situation, let alone a 2nd jump AFF
student...I was amazed at her being able to think so straight at
this scary time...needless to say I moved her on to level 3....
Great story, Dave. Thanks for sharing. 
And thumbs up to the student..she rocks!
blue skies and stay safe!
@nne
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Replying to:
Something happened last weekend that I thought was worth
sharing...first of all we DO have RSLs on all our student
canopies, but we do not tell them this, in case it does not
work...we train the pull cutaway, pull reserve handle way. We
also have BOC's on all student rigs. Anyhow, a girl had done the
tandem program and was now on her second AFF with me...the plan
was for me to hold on to her until we got flat and stable then
let her go and her to stay stable and perform her three practice
pulls. Before we boarded the aircraft I checked her over
everything looked good, we climb up to altitude and got out
right over the airport at 12,000ft. Exit went good, and she was
stable and relaxed, as soon as I let her go her pin dislodged,
opened up the container, and caused a horseshoe malfunction. She
looked up and back and noticed something was wrong, she very
quickly but calmly reached back and threw out her pilot chute,
which did nothing...she then cutaway, while staying calm and
relaxed. The RSL did not work!! She then checked her altitude
which was about 9,000, she looked at me shrugged her shoulders,
and started her three practice pulls, but each time putting her
hands on the reserve handle. She pulled at 5,000ft. as planned,
and the reserve opened smoothly...I myself could not have
remained that calm in this situation, let alone a 2nd jump AFF
student...I was amazed at her being able to think so straight at
this scary time...needless to say I moved her on to level 3....
wow...respect to the student!
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Replying to:
Something happened last weekend that I thought was worth
sharing...first of all we DO have RSLs on all our student
canopies, but we do not tell them this, in case it does not
work...we train the pull cutaway, pull reserve handle way. We
also have BOC's on all student rigs. Anyhow, a girl had done the
tandem program and was now on her second AFF with me...the plan
was for me to hold on to her until we got flat and stable then
let her go and her to stay stable and perform her three practice
pulls. Before we boarded the aircraft I checked her over
everything looked good, we climb up to altitude and got out
right over the airport at 12,000ft. Exit went good, and she was
stable and relaxed, as soon as I let her go her pin dislodged,
opened up the container, and caused a horseshoe malfunction. She
looked up and back and noticed something was wrong, she very
quickly but calmly reached back and threw out her pilot chute,
which did nothing...she then cutaway, while staying calm and
relaxed. The RSL did not work!! She then checked her altitude
which was about 9,000, she looked at me shrugged her shoulders,
and started her three practice pulls, but each time putting her
hands on the reserve handle. She pulled at 5,000ft. as planned,
and the reserve opened smoothly...I myself could not have
remained that calm in this situation, let alone a 2nd jump AFF
student...I was amazed at her being able to think so straight at
this scary time...needless to say I moved her on to level 3....
