"I
Was Tumbling Unconscious, Out Of Control..."
May
31, 1996
George W. Galloway
Precision Aerodynamics, Inc.
PO Box 386
Dunlap, Tennessee 37327
Dear George,
Two weeks ago I was lucky enough to survive
what has to be the nightmare of more than
a few skydivers. I collided with another
jumper in free-fall and I was knocked unconscious
before I could deploy. Even though I landed
unconscious, I lived, thanks to the fact
that all of the demo rigs from Square
One are Raven
Packed and Cypres Equipped!
I
was participating on a six way jump, with
myself and one other jumper diving. The
last thing I remember of the jump was being
about 30 ft above and just to the right
of the base.
The
next memory I have is lying face down in
the dirt with Dave Juergenson, Perris Valley
mentor, telling me not to get up. At this
time I had no idea what I was doing in the
dirt, how l got there, and why my friends
wouldn't let me get up.
I
learned later, after the mandatory ride
to the ER, that I had collided with the
other diver in my group at about 6,000 Ft.
I was tumbling unconscious in a semi-fetal
position while the other jumper tried to
reach me. His heroic attempt was unsuccessful,
and my buddies watched from under canopy
as I tumbled all the way down to 1,200 ft,
when my Cypres activated!
My
Raven II opened with only minor line twists,
which is incredible when you remember that
at the point of opening I was still tumbling
out of control in a less than ideal body
position.
The
trip to the ER reveled I had suffered no
back injuries, no neck injuries, and no
brain damage. Concussion aside, the only
injuries I suffered were a few bruises and
a couple of cuts on my nose.
I
want to thank you for making the best reserve
canopy on earth, and I thank Square One
for having this rental rig Raven Packed
and Cypres Equipped.
James
K. Geoghegan La Canada, CA
