According to U.S. Army Safety officials quoted in the June 1997 issue of Soldiers magazine "parachute jumps are the number one cause of injuries during exercises". This should not be; driving and vehicle accidents should be the leading risk due to the fact that Soldiers drive more than parachute jump. (We should strive to eliminate those accidents also). What is disturbing while the FACT is more Soldiers die in auto and military vehicle accidents, parachute deaths at one or two a year get all the headlines. Is this not an Anti-Airborne bias designed to create an excuse to get rid of Airborne capabilities from the U.S. Army? The author of the article, Heike Hasenauer reports; "the most frequent field training accident-accounting for 48 injuries and two deaths in fiscal year 1996-involved improper parachute landing falls". The article goes on to quote SFC William Gunter, Chief of Combat Support Section at Army Safety Center at Fort Rucker, Alabama: "Because Soldiers receive ample training at jump school, we attribute most of these injuries to individual error..."

Jumper error, End of story?

Not quite.

If we let the Airborne operation be viewed with a negative perception we have only ourselves to blame for not taking CORRECTIVE action. Writing off injuries as "jumper error" is evading the issue and a leadership failure. As a recent graduate of U.S. Army Airborne School I disagree with the notion that Soldiers receive "ample training" at jump school on PLFs. "Ample" as in quantity, yes....quality and right type of PLFs, no.

T-10C/D Two-Riser Slip dynamics not understood and explained

If you review both older editions and the 1995 version of FM 57-220 Advanced Static-Line Parachuting Techniques and Training youÕll notice the reality that a left or right two-riser slip while under the T-10C canopy results in the jumper's body being rotated 90 degrees to that direction resulting in a REAR PLF not a left or right PLF. The 90 degree rotation that takes place from 2 riser slips is not being stressed enough at basic Airborne School (not pointed out at all in my class) and is completely absent from written manuals. The idea that students leaving Airborne School are fully aware of what type PLF they must do and thus to blame for bad PLFs and injuries is not true; we need to take corrective actions. I've written a comprehensive review of the latest parachuting manual and turned it into 1-507th PIR on these and other changes and they agree on most areas (see enclosed). The realization that left/right 2-riser slips rotates the body 90 degrees needs to be brought to the attention of all Airborne units by a safety bulletin and official message until the next edition of the parachuting manual comes out. Training at the 1-507th's Basic Airborne Course needs to change to stress this reality so student jumpers can prepare themselves for the correct PLF and not become disoriented.

Jumper Safety Devices not being used

If you look at the jumper in the Soldiers magazine story you'll notice his boots do not have the Parachutist Jump Brace (PAB) on them; if Soldiers are not choosing to wear PABs and/or their units are not issuing them is it a wonder that we are still having landing injuries? The same applies to the Parachutist's Impact Liner (PIL) that goes inside the Kevlar helmet to prevent concussion injuries. There is an attitude going around the Airborne community that wearing a PAB is not "macho" or if you are really "tough" and "Airborne" you don't need to wear PABs, since you are skilled at PLFs etc.etc. If you cannot see well enough at night to do the right PLF or if you land hand due to wind gusts and/or canopy oscillations your PLF expertise will not be enough. PABs can give you the extra support that may mean the difference between walking off the drop zone or being carried off. PABs wear should be required for Soldiers jumping with hot weather "jungle boots" on; after the jump the PABs can be removed and the lightweight features of the jungle boot will return. Those that jump without PABs and get ankle injuries should be given counseling statements; harsh but we'll never make forward progress with the Airborne operation by allowing an attitude that welcomes the risk of injuries to exist in order to create some sort of elitist feeling.

We should be using:

PILs to prevent head trauma injuries

FM 57-220 states the following about PILs:

PROTECTIVE HEADGEAR

The PASGT helmet with foam parachutist's impact liner (PIL) is used during airborne operations. The helmet must be fitted properly to ensure it stays on the parachutist's head during deployment of the parachute and during the parachute landing fall. The PIL must be fitted according to the directions on the pink instruction card provided with each set of foam pads.

2-12. DESCRIPTION

The PASGT helmet is a laminated, one-piece helmet. It has a low profile, a close fit, and a low center of gravity. The helmet is available in four sizes: extra small, small, medium, and large. It weighs from 2 pounds 8 ounces (extra small) to 3 pounds 4 ounces (large).

a. Parachutist Helmet Modifications. The helmet is modified for airborne operations by adding a parachutist retention strap and a foam impact pad (Figure 2-7). These items provide maximum safety and stability. Also, the PIL is inserted to further protect the jumper's head during PLFs.

NOTE: Be sure the hook-pile tape on the ends of the parachutist retention strap faces the rear of the helmet.

c. Installation of Parachute Impact Liner. The foam PIL comes in a preformed block of liners perforated for easy installation. The PIL can be placed in and removed from the helmet without removal of the retention strap, foam impact pad, chin strap, cover retaining straps, camouflage cover, or suspension band with drawstring and adjustable tab. The PIL installation instructions are as follows:

(1) Separate the three portions of the foam PIL.

(2) Size the PIL at the perforations according to your helmet size (Figure 2-9).

(3) Place the insert portions into the helmet so that the front and back pieces and the middle piece are located under both the foam impact pad and the suspension band with drawstring and adjustable tab (Figure 2-10).

PABs to prevent ankle injuries

FM 57-220 states about PABs:

PARACHUTIST ANKLE BRACE (PAB)

The parachutist ankle brace stabilizes the jumper's ankle during PLFs and reduces the potential for ankle injury. The PAB, which is worn outside the combat boot, consists of sidewalls that extend vertically to encircle the ankle and the lower leg. The side and back portions are connected by a U-shaped support that fits over the boot heel. The support has a hook-pile strap system that attaches the brace to the leg and boot. The PAB is lined with a three-section aircell to cushion the lower leg.

2-14. OBTAINING THE PARACHUTIST ANKLE BRACE

The unit orders the PAB or the heel strap replacement kit directly from AIRCAST, P. O. Box 709, Summit, NJ 07902-0709, commercial 1-800-526-8785. All sizes are based on men's shoe sizes. The size codes for ordering are small, less than man's size 8, 02G; medium, man's sizes 8 through 11, 02H; or large, larger than man's size 11, 02I. European sizes are small, less than 42; medium, 42 through 45; and large, larger than 45. The cost is about $60 per pair.

NOTE: The PAB must be worn using boots with a standard heel. When worn with boots with flat or rippled soles, the PAB tends to slip and does not provide the proper support for the jumper's ankles.

2-15. INSPECTING THE PARACHUTIST ANKLE BRACE

Both jumpmaster and parachutist inspect the parachute ankle brace for serviceability as follows:

a. Inspection. Parachute ankle braces are inspected by examining the PAB cushion, the upper and lower leg straps, and the heel strap.

(1) If the leg cushion is missing, the PAB is unserviceable. If the cushion is torn, the jumpmaster decides if the PAB is serviceable.

(2) If the hook portion of the hook-pile tape is missing from the leg straps, the PAB is unserviceable and must be replaced.

(3) If the heel strap is unserviceable, it can be replaced by the following method.

b. Heel Strap Replacement. If the PAB is unserviceable because of a worn or torn heel strap, the heel strap is replaced as follows:

(1) Use a flat-blade screwdriver to remove the screw that secures the heel strap to the brace. Save the screw from the folded tab on the heel strap.

(2) Unthread and remove the heel strap from the buckle on the opposite side of the brace.

(3) Fasten the hook-pile tab to the brace.

NOTE: Ensure the new heel strap size corresponds to the brace size (small, medium, or large).

(4) Flip the brace over so the heel strap buckle is facing up. Thread the heel strap through the buckle top slot and pull through the slack. Loop the strap through the bottom slot and pull until snug.

(5) Flip the brace back over, remove the hook-pile tab to expose the screw hole, fold the strap end over, line up the screw holes, insert the screw through the strap, and refasten the screw to the brace.

2-16. DONNING THE PARACHUTIST ANKLE BRACE

To reduce the potential for jumper ankle injury, the parachutist ankle brace must be adjusted to fit snugly around the foot, ankle, and lower leg. The PAB is adjusted to the jumper's foot as follows:

a. Loosen the two leg straps and the heel strap, step into the PAB with the heel strap under the boot's instep (the area in front of the boot heel), and tighten the heel strap and then the two leg straps. The bottom of the shell should align with the top of the sole.

b. Fasten the leg straps using only the outer portion of the leg strap buckle. If both inner and outer portions of the buckle are used, the PAB could be difficult to remove in a tactical situation.

NOTE: The PAB is designed so the jumper can run short distances while wearing the PAB if necessary due to the tactical situation.

2-17. DOFFING THE PARACHUTE ANKLE BRACE The parachutist ankle brace is removed by loosening the leg straps and pulling the PAB off the leg and foot. The PAB is an air item and must be retained by the jumper for use during subsequent jumps.

Flexible one-quart canteens to prevent lower back injuries

Better chinstraps to prevent exposed head injuries and have better tactical helmet stability

Its clear that a better helmet with better, state-of-the-art internal cushioning will have to be forced upon the Army Airborne via the Army Special Force community adopting the MICH helmet. SF Soldiers as self-actualizers do not have to prove their penis size and worth and can as adults look at and admit to problems and then act on SOLUTIONS. Self-confidence to be able to do LGOPS is a good thing, but when it becomes egotistical arrogance without adult maturity that is unable to prevent injuries and save lives its in need of a mental overhaul.

Instead of admitting that there is only so much that can be done with inferior equipment that do not address problem areas we publish bullshit like that JMPI (how you don the inferior equipment that doesn't protect the head from trauma or ankles and lower backs from hard impacts onto hard runways) is going to somehow result in less head, lower back and ankle injuries; see the story below:

82nd jumps into Transformation exercise
by Pvt. Sara Wood and Sgt. Kim Dooley

FORT IRWIN, Calif. (Army News Service, Aug. 1, 2002) --

In one of the first troop manuevers of the Army Transformation Experiment and Millennium Challenge 2002, 750 Paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division jumped into the National Training Center's Bike Lake Army Airfield in the early morning hours of July 30. Two NTC observers/controllers participating in the jump and 21 of the 82nd Paratroopers were injured in the drop. None of the injuries were life- or limb-threatening, though, and consisted mainly of broken bones, back strains and a few concussions, said Maj. Richard Patterson, 82nd Abn. Div. public affairs officer. As of July 31, 10 of the Soldiers were being treated for their injuries at a local hospital and 13 had returned to duty.

The mission began at 2 a.m. with a heavy drop of two High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles and two 105-mm howitzers. Air Force C-130 aircraft transported the paratroopers and equipment to the drop zone, and officials said this demonstrated the Army's interoperability with other military services. The Paratroopers' mission was to seize and secure the airfield for the landing of several Stryker Infantry Carrier vehicles aboard other C-130 aircraft. This part of ATEx02 tested the interoperability between the "legacy force" and the "interim force," said Maj. Gen. John R. Vines, commanding general, 82nd Abn. Div. Vines stressed the importance of the Paratroopers, saying they are still the only force that can make a strategic, forcible entry into a landlocked area. "The bread and butter of the 82nd Airborne is airfield seizures," said Capt. Rob Boone, commander, Company D, 1st Bn., 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment. "This mission is dangerous because we are the first ones in, and it's important because we have to secure the area and open up the airfield for follow-on forces." The Paratroopers received ongoing training at their home station in preparation for the exercise, including live-fire ranges, a brief integration with new communications equipment, and job specialty training, said Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Lynch, platoon sergeant, Co. D, 1st Bn., 325th AIR.

Although the 82nd conducts heavy drops and airfield seizures regularly at Fort Bragg, Monday night's mission introduced the unit to some unique challenges, including the large size of the exercise, new battlefield technology and unfamiliar terrain, Lynch said. In light of these different challenges, the unit placed more emphasis on ensuring safety through a thorough jumpmaster pre-inspection. "The JMPI is the final quality control check that a jumpmaster does of an individual jumper prior to getting the jumper onto the aircraft," said 1st Lt. David Powell, battalion air officer, 1st Bn., 325th AIR. The air officer's primary role in the exercise was to ensure the safety and accountability of all personnel and equipment on the aircraft and on the airfield. "Depending on what deficiencies are found, these checks can literally be the difference between life and death for the Paratroopers." During JMPI, jumpmasters check for the serviceability of the jumpers' parachutes, correct rigging of all equipment and double check to make sure the parachute and combat equipment is donned properly, Powell said. With only about 70-80 jumpmasters and safeties to conduct the JMPI of all 750 Paratroopers, the responsibility of safety also rests heavily with the jumpers themselves, he said. "Finding a deficiency is also often up to the experience and training of the jumper himself and of the jump buddy that helps him don his equipment," Powell said. "The number of deficiencies we detect and correct is dependent on those two factors, as well as our own expertise."

(Editor's note: Pvt. Sara Wood and Sgt. Kim Dooley are assigned to the 13th Public Affairs Detachment. ARNEWS senior correspondent Joe Burlas also contributed to the article.)

Paratroopers not exiting the harness quickly enough to avoid injuries

Recently, as I hung from a suspended harness for water emergency landing drills for Airborne Refresher, our entire group realized something about undoing the left waistband; you cannot do it easily hanging with harness straps under tension as you do on the ground after the canopy has collapsed. The instructor chastised us all: "when you're going into the water you don't have time to play with the waist band, pull on it with both hands to undo the quick-release..." Two-hand pulls on the waist band should be SOP and incorporated into basic Airborne training and manuals so the waist band can be undone so no soldier has to drown in event of accidental or intentional water landings. Basic Airborne training in the suspended harness omitted the kit bag under the leg straps as another obstacle that must be pushed away in order to clear the parachute harness upon water contact. Some old kit bags could easily be incorporated at the suspended harness class to provide more realistic training. A Ranger senior NCO was killed in the not-too distant past after parachuting into the water near Fort Benning, Georgia.

We should go even a step further. If after lowering your combat equipment at about 200 feet (you've decided you are not at risk of landing in the trees) and you are not in danger of colliding with other jumpers, UNDO THE LEFT WAISTBAND OF THE RESERVE AND UNCLIP ITS LEFT SNAP HOOK FROM THE LEFT D-RING, so the reserve rotates to the right out of the way of the front of the body. The Reserve has spreader bars so it can work connected to one side by safety-wire closed snap hook. This is how the iDF Paratroops get out of their harnesses quickly.

Make undoing the left side of the reserve SOP for all jumps and you automatically reduce the water landing-drowning risks; the jumper need only pull on 3 quick-ejector snaps to get out of the harness and swim to safety. Faster exits if being dragged and unable to activate the canopy release, faster entry into fighting posture by Paratroops during combat jumps. The Israeli Airborne's Paratroopers have been undoing their reserve's left side before landing for years without ill effect.

Another benefit is that without the reserve tight at your stomach, your torso is now more free to bend and execute that fluid, PLF that is so key to injury-free landings. Studies should be done with jumpers landing with reserves tight against the body and off to the side; I'm certain the less encumbered jumpers will PLF better than the stiff and bulky.

Strangers on board an aircraft to jump in flight

Studying the accident report of one jump fatality at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, I was struck by how a bunch of virtual strangers is often thrown together ad hoc into an aircraft for a jump. Another factor is how the jumpmasters (JMs) in such a situation are not likely to place inexperienced and lighter jumpers into positions in the stick which would assist in safer exits since this realization is not apparent unless the JM knows everyone. To safeguard against this, the current DA 1306 jump manifest form (which is over 34 years old) needs to be revised. (See enclosed sample revised form). Situational awareness on the part of the JM towards his jumpers can save lives and improve the safety record of tactical parachuting.

Load Bearing Equipment (LBE) tangling with parachute suspension lines

In the July 1996 issue of the U.S. Army Safety Center's Countermeasure magazine, MSG James Cobler described how LBE can get tangled in a jumper's suspension lines if worn too low on the body. Wearing LBE "High and tight" instead of "Loose and Low" isn't exactly the best answer; the jumper whose accident I studied had lines wrapped around his canteens which are exposed in both "high" and "low" configurations. A complete answer is the JUMP SMOCK or a new reduced clutter T-21 parachute without a front-mounted reserve parachute. Beginning in the early days of the Airborne, British paratroops wore a battle camouflaged jacket or "smock" over their LBE to streamline their bodies in the slipstream and prevent lines snagging and causing a parachute malfunction. We could achieve a "jump smock" capability by having Paratroopers wear their ECWCS Gore-Tex jacket over their BDUs-LBE (hood tucked inside), then placing the parachute harness over the now covered upper torso. A great majority of potential snag items are now covered by the ECWCS jacket for greater jump safety.

Another improvement would be to COVER THE CANTEENS' TOP CAP/NECK with a covered pouch to reduce suspension line snagging risks.

Upon landing with the eCWCS jacket as a jump smock, the magazine pouches can still be accessed by unzipping the jacket front. In cold weather, the ECWCS jacket as a jump smock keeps the Soldier warm and his canteen's water from freezing. In hot weather, a one-size larger than normal BDU jacket top can be worn over the LBE-Brown Army t-shirt to act as a jump smock. When the situation permits on the ground, the BDU jacket can be removed and placed on the torso under the LBE. If this jacket top were the nomex, fire-resistant Aircrew BDU type for fire protection, it would be used in lieu of the ECWCS top in all weather conditions for safety reasons.

Hard plastic canteens + hard runways = Hard landings and hurt backs/groins

The madness of having to drop Paratroopers onto a hard runways to airland LAV-III/Stryker deathtrap armored cars (cannot be parachute airdropped from C-130s) when we should be parachute airdropping superior tracked M113A3 Gavins is a travesty of Army senior leadership small mindedness best described in detail on the following web site:

The LAV Danger

Having Paratroopers maimed and killed just to airland a piece-of-shit, road-bound, rubber-tired armored car that cannot even be machine gun bullet let alone RPG protected is criminal. All for a popgun and a computer screen. Wow, what a "transformation".

Also bad is knowing you are going to drop over a hard surface runway and while issuing knee and elbow pads not using flexible one quart canteens worn on the back of the low-slung LCE.

And we wonder WHY we have so many jump injuries?

What I say is TRUE.

MY EYES ARE OPEN; when I jump, I SEE what is going on around me and I STUDY pertinent tactics, techniques and procedures. It doesn't take "hundreds of jumps" to realize when reality and procedures are out of synch. The truth about any issue is dependent on the objective facts not the preconceived perceptions some may feel towards the messenger for faithfully reporting what he sees. You can have "a thousand jumps" but if your mind is closed to areas for improvement, you are not thinking constructively, and all of that experience benefits you little. For example, I know dozens of basic Airborne School students who noticed the 2-riser slip rotation and other inconsistencies but said nothing because they were made to feel that their observations didn't count and were not asked for them (No AARs or critique forms handed out to my class) since they have fewer jumps than others. They're "Cherries", "Five jump chumps", right? (Before that they were "Legs"). They wanted to get their "wings" and move out.

Is a systemic procedural-equipment problem that exists on "jump 3" or "jump 5" or "jump 17" going to be any different on "jump 324"? If nothing changes except the individual's running total of jumps, what is being learned here? We need to do EVERYTHING we can to improve the Airborne operation so this nation can continue to deploy decisive combat forces by air to the critical center of gravity in any situation so freedom can reign. This means getting ALL Paratroopers to switch their minds to "on" and to encourage their input to making parachuting better; that their observations are important and helpful because...... they are. We shouldn't stop until parachuting is the safest of all Army activities.

itsg@hotmail.com