Groups of skydivers need to navigate through the air during a jump to get into a formation. How can sky divers who are below the formation join the group?
When skydivers are below a formation and need to join the group, they must use techniques to reduce their fall rate and navigate horizontally through the air to reach the proper position. Here's how they do it:
1. **Body Position**: To slow their descent, skydivers can adopt a more vertical body position. This is achieved by "de-arching” their body, which means flattening out or even slightly bowing their back, which in turn increases their surface area and drag. By presenting more of their body surface to the air, they catch more air and create more resistance, slowing their fall.
2. **Relaxed Movements**: Overly aggressive or tense movements can lead to faster falling or loss of control. Skydivers who are below the formation will ensure their movements are controlled and relaxed to achieve the desired effect on their fall rate and horizontal movement.
3. **Tracking**: To move horizontally, skydivers use a maneuver called "tracking." It involves straightening the legs, bringing the arms to the sides, and pointing their hands and feet in the direction they want to go. This position allows them to glide through the air towards the formation.
4. **Docking**: Once a skydiver has maneuvered close to the formation, the last step is to dock, or join in on the formation carefully. This requires precision and control to avoid disrupting the existing formation.
5. **Eye Contact and Communication**: Non-verbal communication such as eye contact and hand signals is essential for group coordination and safety during the jump.
6. **Altitude Awareness**: Throughout the maneuver, skydivers need to maintain altitude awareness by frequently checking their altimeters. Safety is always the first priority, and they must break off and deploy their parachutes at a predetermined altitude regardless of whether they've successfully joined the formation.
These techniques and maneuvers require practice and skill, and are often learned over many jumps and in the guidance of more experienced skydivers or instructors.