recurrency Checklist: What should I review before jumping again?
So, you’re coming off of an absence from skydiving for whatever reason. Perhaps you’re at a Northern DZ and you haven’t jumped all winter. Or maybe you’re returning from an injury. Maybe you had a personal or financial reason for taking a break. Whatever the reason, getting properly current is super important. We’ve compiled a recurrency checklist of the basics that you should review and feel comfortable with before getting back in the air. If something on this list doesn’t feel familiar or fresh to you, that’s ok. However, these are all questions you NEED to know the answers to. So, be sure to get with an AFFI or S&TA to review before jumping.
OTHER RESOURCES - Another great resource for review is the USPA website. You can download or purchase a paper copy of the Skydiver’s Information Manual. The answers to almost every single one of these questions can be found in the SIM. Also on the USPA website, you can review malfunction videos and re-take the category quizzes to put your knowledge to the test. It’s all under the “safety & training” tab.
- Do you know how to ensure your gear is properly maintained, repacked & inspected?
- Do you know how to do a thorough gear check?
- Do you know when your gear is correct/incorrect both before and after you put it on?
- Do you remember how to repack your parachute?
Side Note: Make good choices about your canopy and wing-loading. Consider your experience and currency and get guidance from an S&TA.
- What is the loading/exit order?
- Do you know where & how to sit? Where to find all seatbelts? When to sit up front? When to remove seatbelts?
- What is the chain of command for aircraft emergencies?
- What are the exit procedures for aircraft emergencies based on altitude?
- What do the aircraft’s door lights mean?
- Do you know how and when to open/close the door?
- Do you know how to spot?
- Do you know how to get the exit separation?
- How do you gain stability?
- How do you initiate/stop a turn?
- Have you done practice touches in gear?
- When do you do altitude checks?
- What are your pull priorities?
- Do you know the proper body position for effective tracking?
- Do you have a dive plan and have you practiced it? Know when to check altitude? Know when to breakoff? Know when to deploy?
- Do you know landing patterns for both landing areas? For any wind condition?
- Do you know your pattern altitudes?
- Do you have a strategy for an alternate landing area?
- What are your landing priorities?
- What do you know about collision avoidance?
- What do you do if you get into a canopy collision?
- What do you do in a canopy collision below 1000ft?
- What do you know about landing in turbulence?
- Remember how to PLF? Have you practiced it lately?
- What are minor canopy problems? Give an example. How should you respond to them?
- What is a total malfunction? Give an example. What is the proper response?
- What is a partial malfunction? Give an example. What is the proper response?
- What do you do in various 2 -out scenarios?
- What are your options for action below 1000ft?
- What is your Decision Altitude?
- What is your Hard Deck?
FEELING CONFIDENT? – Give yourself an honest assessment of your level of understanding on the topics mentioned above. Do you feel a little rusty on any of it? Do you feel a little less than confident? Honestly, there’s a lot to know. It’s totally OK if you forgot some things as long as you seek out additional training before you start jumping! You can contact us and set up a refresher course and recurrency jump any time! We’ll have you feeling confident and competent again in no time.