SeanFromCanada's Blog

Originally posted on 09.26.13

If you’re going to be a Paratrooper, you have to know how to jump out of an airplane – with a parachute and the rest of your gear. That’s fairly obvious, I suppose. But obvious doesn’t mean easy.

The Paratroopers of 3PPCLI train endlessly for the rigors and challenges of parachuting. They have a specific room rigged with parachute simulators so they can learn, and practice, every situational technique. One of the important stages in a young Paratrooper’s advancement towards his maroon beret is jumping out of the 32 foot high jump tower. Why 32 feet you ask?

“Because that’s the height of fear”.

It seems that 32 feet is the perfect height for the human brain to react – and often hesitate – with fear. It was explained to us that 32 feet is high enough for the human brain to process the un-survivability of a fall from that distance…but it’s not too high to be delusional about how high you actually are (i.e. at 100 feet, you are out of touch with the actual height). Okay, perfect, this next exercise is scientifically designed to scare the shit of out us…

It starts with learning how to put the jump suit on. It’s a relatively simple device, resembling rock climbing gear with shoulder straps. What is noteworthy about this apparatus is how incredibly uncomfortable it is when you’re wearing it properly. As we were helping each other tighten the jump suit straps, I heard one of our guys suggest to his partner that perhaps he was pulling too tight. One of the soldiers assisting us immediately jumped in, pulling another 5 inches of the already staggeringly tight strap through the harness saying ‘there’s no such thing as too tight in parachuting’. He likened jumping out of a plane to letting a Kleenex go out of a car window at 100 Km/hour. Tight, is your friend.

The resulting effort left us hunched over, unable to stand straight. After about 60 seconds, I was keen to get jumping, if for
no other reason than to be out of the suit. We were commended by the soldiers for our quick adoption of the ‘Paratrooper stance’ … hands on thighs, hunched over in a semi-bent leaning position. That position was the most comfortable out of all the uncomfortable options.

After working with the parachute simulators, it was time to approach the tower. Walking towards it, it really didn’t seem that high or daunting. I thought I’d keep my brave thoughts to myself, just in case circumstances changed in the coming minutes.

We were trained on the exit procedure, and triple checked by the Paratroopers for properly attached (and tightened) jump gear. I took particular note of the instructions that were been given to us…which were surprisingly minimal.

Approach the line, eyes straight forward. (Don’t look down…just don’t).
When the jump master says “Step, JUMP!”…you step with your right foot forward (to the edge of the tower), then jump.
Chin to chest – tight
Arms straight, legs together

That’s it – the rest takes care of itself. I actually appreciated that the motions were orchestrated, leaving no room for improvisation…or hesitation.

And so, in pairs of two, we were sent up the tower.

The top of the tower is enclosed with what is designed to simulate the inside of a plane. The bench, lead wire and ‘exit door’ provide a good feel for the pre-jump environment. There’s no windows, so until you’re at the door, you really have no sense of height at all. You just sit on the bench, and listen for instructions.

The ‘parachute’ we were using was actually a set of parachute straps attached to a zip line style wire that descends the 32 feet to the earth below. As it was attached to my jump gear (still destroying years of proper posture work), I realized my life was going to depend entirely on the metal clips being secured just inside each shoulder, on my chest plate. What I didn’t realize (at the time) was that the straps are extremely sturdy with absolutely NO stretch designed into the fabric…the ‘solidness’ of the apparatus would be experienced in about 30 seconds hence.

And so my turn came. I was told to stand and approach the jump line. (Eyes straight Sean, keep your eyes straight).

“You ready?”, I’m questioned.

“Yes”, I reply.

“Step…

JUMP!

” His command offers no suggestion or question to determine if I want to or not. It’s firm, sharp and a direct order.

I step, and jump.

The first 8 or so feet is a complete free fall, with my stomach hitting the roof of my mouth. Just as the fear takes hold, the jolt from the parachute straps snaps your head and body into vertical salvation. We were told that if we didn’t keep our chins down, we’d get a hell of a slap on our necks from the straps. I took heed to this warning, and still walked away with a huge neck hickey any grade 8 student would be proud of. The jerk from the arrest to the free fall is significant to say the least. No stretch in the cord.

The rest of the journey down was relatively uneventful. A euphoric high overcomes your mind and body as the adrenaline surges and your sense of accomplishment races. Legs and arms together and tight, you descend down to the let off point.

Once at the bottom, and walking on solid ground, I noted each of us performing the same routine…a few high fives, and then the immediate removal of the jump gear. Once standing upright again, we watched the others jump, and celebrated each accomplishment.

I’m pleased and proud to say that all 10 of us jumped, without hesitation. We were told this was highly unexpected and that the Paratroopers were impressed. I guess it’s not uncommon for soldiers and civilians alike to baulk and do the walk of shame down the tower stairs. I was proud of our group.

It was one of the most exhilarating things I’ve ever done…and to be honest, I’d easily do it again if I have the chance!