The Accelerated Freefall (AFF) course is a thrilling and transformative journey into the world of skydiving. It's the first step for many people in gaining the freedom of skydiving solo. However, like any high-adrenaline activity, AFF can be intimidating and, without proper preparation, mistakes can occur. These mistakes can affect your learning, safety, and overall experience.
In this article, we'll explore the most common mistakes first-time AFF students make and how to avoid them. Whether you're preparing for your first jump or want to understand more about the AFF process, these tips can help ensure your skydiving experience is smooth, safe, and enjoyable.
Not Listening to the Instructors
One of the most common mistakes beginners make is not fully absorbing or following the instructions provided by their AFF instructors. AFF instructors play a critical role in guiding you through each jump, offering vital safety tips, body positioning guidance, and emergency procedures. Skipping over these instructions---whether due to nervousness, excitement, or overconfidence---can lead to serious mistakes.
How to Avoid It:
- Take Notes: During the classroom sessions and before the jump, take careful notes on key points. Pay attention to body positioning, hand signals, and emergency protocols.
- Ask Questions: If you're unclear about any aspect of the jump, ask. Don't hesitate to clarify any instructions with your instructor.
- Practice Mental Rehearsals: Before the jump, mentally rehearse what you're going to do. Think about your exit, body posture, the sequence of tasks, and emergency responses.
In skydiving, preparation is key, and following instructions is vital for your safety and success.
Exiting the Plane Improperly
Exiting the aircraft is a critical moment in any skydive. The way you exit the plane can impact your stability during freefall. A common mistake is failing to maintain the proper exit position, such as jumping too early, too late, or without maintaining the right body posture.
How to Avoid It:
- Focus on Body Position: When you exit the plane, you should maintain a stable, belly-to-earth position. Keep your arms and legs in a controlled spread, with your head neutral and facing forward.
- Listen to Your Instructor: Your instructor will guide you on when to jump and how to maintain stability as you exit. Trust their guidance and be prepared.
- Don't Rush the Jump: Be patient when exiting. Wait until the instructor signals you, and don't jump before you're fully prepared.
Mastering the exit position will lay the foundation for a successful freefall.
Losing Control in Freefall
One of the most exhilarating aspects of AFF is freefall. However, for many students, the sudden loss of ground and the high-speed fall can be overwhelming, leading to an out-of-control position. Beginners often experience overcorrection, where they either arch too much or too little, or they flail their arms and legs, making it harder to stabilize themselves.
How to Avoid It:
- Arch Properly: To maintain stability, you must keep a proper arch with your back and hips slightly forward, legs apart, and arms in front of you. Avoid curling into a ball or collapsing your body.
- Focus on Your Instructor: If you're being accompanied by instructors during your jump, pay attention to their body language and signals. They'll help you adjust if you start to lose stability.
- Stay Calm: It's easy to panic when you feel out of control, but the more you relax and focus on body position, the easier it will be to regain stability. Remember, your body needs to move smoothly, not quickly.
Practice and focus are crucial in mastering body control during freefall.
Forgetting to Deploy the Parachute on Time
In the excitement of the freefall and the thrill of skydiving, some students forget the importance of deploying their parachute on time. While AFF courses have instructors who help monitor your jump, the ultimate responsibility for deploying the parachute rests with you.
How to Avoid It:
- Use a Visual Trigger: To help you remember when to pull your parachute, use visual cues. These could be time markers (e.g., 5,000 feet above the ground) or specific visual landmarks you've learned during your briefing.
- Check Altimeter Regularly: Keep an eye on your altimeter. Most AFF students are trained to deploy the parachute at around 5,000 feet, but the exact altitude may vary by your specific training.
- Automatic Activation Device (AAD): Ensure your AFF instructor explains the use of the Automatic Activation Device (AAD). This device will deploy the parachute for you if you fail to do so at the correct altitude.
Planning ahead, being vigilant, and using technology (like the AAD) will ensure your parachute is deployed on time.
Ignoring the Importance of Body Position Under Canopy
Once your parachute has deployed, it's important to maintain control while under the canopy. A common mistake is forgetting to adjust body position, leading to issues like an unstable or unsafe landing. You might find yourself in an unstable or excessive speed position if you don't maintain the correct body posture during the descent.
How to Avoid It:
- Practice Canopy Control: Throughout the AFF course, you'll be trained to control your parachute. Practice adjusting your body position to steer and slow your descent.
- Relax and Maintain a Stable Position: Keep your legs slightly bent, your back straight, and hands in the correct position on the toggles. Being overly stiff or rigid can lead to issues with control.
- Focus on Landing: Your landing technique is just as important as your jump. Make sure you practice proper landing posture and follow your instructor's guidance to land safely.
By maintaining control of your body and canopy, you ensure a safe and successful landing.
Panic and Overreaction
Skydiving is an inherently intense and exhilarating activity. It's easy to panic, especially during moments like freefall or parachute deployment. Panic can lead to overreaction, such as pulling the wrong handles or making sudden movements that disrupt your position.
How to Avoid It:
- Breathe and Stay Calm: One of the most effective ways to avoid panic is by staying calm. Breathe deeply and focus on the basics of your training.
- Know the Emergency Procedures: Panic often arises from uncertainty. Knowing what to do in the case of an emergency (like a malfunctioning parachute) will give you confidence in your ability to handle any situation.
- Trust Your Training: Your AFF course has prepared you for a wide range of scenarios. Trust in the skills and knowledge you've gained through training.
Stay calm, and your training will carry you through any unexpected situations.
Failure to Debrief and Reflect
After your jump, many students make the mistake of not taking the time to reflect on their experience. The AFF process is a learning journey, and each jump offers a wealth of knowledge to help you improve. Without a proper debrief, you might miss out on crucial feedback that could improve your next jump.
How to Avoid It:
- Ask for Feedback: After each jump, have a detailed debrief with your instructors. They can point out areas of improvement and help you develop your skills.
- Review Your Own Performance: Reflect on your experience. What went well? What did you struggle with? Self-reflection, combined with instructor feedback, will help you improve.
Taking the time to debrief and reflect after each jump is an essential part of your growth as a skydiver.
Conclusion
The first jump of your AFF course is a life‑changing experience that will shape your future in skydiving. By being aware of common mistakes and taking proactive steps to avoid them, you can set yourself up for a successful and safe skydiving journey. The key to success lies in preparation, trust in your instructors, maintaining calm under pressure, and always learning from your experiences.
Remember, skydiving is not just about the thrill---it's about continuous learning and growth. By avoiding these common mistakes, you'll be well on your way to becoming a confident, skilled skydiver who enjoys the beauty of flight with every jump.