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All the skydiving equipment will be provided for
you. Jumping at such altitudes requires special parachute equipment
which has been manufactured from very robust materials. You will
not jump your own rig. Your Everest Skydive rig will be packed
for you under the supervision of an advanced packer.
The opening altitudes for your main parachute will
be between 16,000ft and 18,000ft AMSL (above
mean sea level). The main landing area (DZ)
is at 12,350ft AMSL. These altitudes demand large main parachutes
of 300 - 400 sq ft and a reserve of similar size. Both the parachutes
we are using have been proven successfull on high altitude landing
areas.
A world renowned AAD (has been incorporated
into the system on the reserve.
You will be issued with a standard MA2 - 30 altimeter that is
accurate up to 30,000ft, so your AGL will be
correct at 12,350ft and you will have a true reading on your altimeter.
You will also be provided with a skydiving oxygen system. The
system has been well proven at high altitude, is unobtrusive,
and non restrictive to body movement or vision
You will have thermal head cover, head protection and protective
goggles provided.
You will be fully familiarized with all the equipment.
Participating Licensed skydivers will also make their own test
jumps so as to satisfy the Everest Skydive team– and themselves–
that they are ready to make their High Altitude Skydive. Tandem
passengers will also be fully prepared by their tandem master
prior to making their tandem descent.
You will also have a small personal survival kit, compass, firefly
strobe, and 2 way mini radio in case of landing off the DZ.
The DZ “vehicles” are an Equirrel B3 helicopter, or a sherpa guide
with a yak and yak man, if the distance is
not too far from the DZ.
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AMSL
- Above mean sea level. Used by pilots when defining altitude,
MSL refers to feet above sea level as
opposed to above the ground. Pilots always use MSL when
referring to altitude.
DZ - The Drop Zone. This is
generally the area where skydivers operate their aircraft,
freefall, deploy and land their parachutes, it can mean
the business which owns the planes and arranges jumps.
AAD
- Automatic Activation Device. A device that senses rate
of descent and altitude and which will attempts to mechanically
activate the reserve parachute if the skydiver passes below
a set altitude at a high rate of descent.
Reserve
- The auxiliary parachute carried on every intentional parachute
jump.
AGL
- Above Ground Level. Altitudes are in reference either
to Ground Level of Sea Level (see MSL).
Skydivers always use AGL when referring to altitude.
Yak
- A long-haired bovine found throughout the Himalayan region
of south Central Asia. (And a very cool
plane you can fly in California.)
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