Retrain & Safety Day a BIG HIT!



Despite high winds (32mph by 11am) and zero jumps, attendees of the Retrain & Saftey Day March 8, 2003 had a ton of fun and learning wrapped up into a few short hours.  The events started at 9am with donuts and Mike Earley's fantastic cinnamon buns!

Since March of 1997, Skydive Kansas has conducted hands-on seminars to kick off the season of jumping.  The event started out as a FREE Retrain Day for all of its jumpers, mainly students who took the winter off from jumping.  When USPA instigated Safety Day, we added some of their ideas to the event.  This year, we incorporated even more new ideas and invited the Osage City Police, Fire & Rescue, and AMR, the Topeka ambulance company serving our area.  Osage Police Officer Fred Nech took on the role of coordinating these representatives and we appreciate and applaud the outcome!  Harry and Dennis, two EMTs from AMR spoke first about the actions skydivers should and should not take after an injury.  Topics ranged from broken ankles to minimizing shock to severe head injuries.  Afterwards, Osage City Fire & Rescue representatives added their input from an information standpoint, making note of the time-saving importance of gathering good information before any jumps. 

Other topics covered during the seminar included aircraft and freefall emergencies by S&TA James Sharp, gear maintenance and safety by FAA rigger Jen Sharp, and canopy control by James Sharp, from a unique perspective as a jumper and pilot/flight instructor who routinely lands on target, even on tandems!

After the seminar, jumpers enjoyed lunch provided by the DZ and visited with old familiar faces-- and I do mean old...yes, Bad Bob was there to accept awards for his Diamond Wings for 2,000 jumps, Gold Freefall Badge for 12 hours and Diamond Freefall Badge for 24 hours!

Retrain & Safety Day 2003! (announcement)
Since March of 1997, Skydive Kansas has conducted hands-on seminars to kick off the season of jumping.  The event started out as a FREE Retrain Day for all of its jumpers, mainly students who took the winter off from jumping.  When USPA instigated Safety Day, we added some of their ideas to the event.  This year on Saturday, March 8, Retrain & Safety Day will prove to be one of the most beneficial we've hosted yet.

Activities are scheduled to begin at 9am, and we will be open for jumping after the event, beginning approximately at 12 noon.
Topics will include emergencies, gear, and canopy control, including practical training review sessions as well as opportunities for skydivers to share their own experiences.  A special presentation is in the works to include what to do in case of an accident, sponsored by Osage City Police & Fire Departments as well as possibly a representative from AMR, the ambulance service that serves our area. 

Participating in the event is TOTALLY free!  Licensed jumpers holding a B or higher will be able to count the training towards currency.  In addition, currency jumps will be available for only $10 for a hop-n-pop from 5,000 feet under direct instructor supervision.  See USPA's currency policy. For A licensed and some student jumpers, the seminar will count towards ground training, and currency jumps will be available.  What it will take to make you current will depend upon when you last jumped and how you originally trained.  Contact Jen ahead of time for details for your particular situation.

After the seminar, Skydive Kansas will be open for jumping and will provide a "cook-out" lunch for participants. Bring your gear, logbook and stories!  Catch up with friends you haven't seen in a while and maybe even refresh your knowledge about skydiving!