How did I become interested in skydiving? When I was eight, I saw a TV program with military skydiving course.   From that moment, I knew it was my destiny.  I made my first jump at 19 years old, and ever since, I live in the clouds! To tell the truth my very first jump was from the 34 foot tower.  Carakas!!!... I almost died of panic!  It was A LOT MORE frightening than the actual jump!

I made my first 'real' jump on 1974, at the Military Police Academy.  I used a military old Static Line T-10.  As I was a civil, the commander asked me to pay my jumps; $ 2.00 each.  At that time, (37 years ago), definitely was not common for a 19-years-old girl in Brazil have a skydiving course at the Military Police Academy; a place with almost 500 men in training.

1976
Strato Star 5 cells canopy
(frontal reserve)



1976
First Brazilian female to jump 
with squere parachute 
Morrinhos, GO


 
Sg. Rodolfo (in memory) and Mery Rose




1981
Brazilian  Classic Overall  Champion
Brasilia - DF

1983 Brazilian  Classic Overall  Champion Campo Grande - MG

1982  The container was tooo big for my size.  Also I wasn’t able to use the disconnect system,.  I wasn't strong enough for the system operation.  In case of emergency, I was taught to immediately open the frontal reserve.  When the main parachute opened, the reserve canopy always came up and stayed just about in front of my face.  (I couldn’t even find the drop zone!...).

It was time to have my first big progress; to celebrate my jump 20th I finally bought a parachute; my unforgettable PC.  The container was actually still quite big (four pins), but it was peanut to compare to the others that I had.   As it was my first freefall jump I was very happy, but I only had head to pry for God.  The adrenaline was out of control!  You guys know what I mean! lol After a few jumps with Papillon I had an another acceleration progress and finally learned how to fly a squere canopy; Strato-Star 5 cells canopy; my first square parachute....  than I had Strato Cloud, Parafoil 252, PD 170, 150 135, 120…  today I have a Classic canopy 218 (accuracy) and a Stiletto 120.

1987 Mery Rose 12-Way - CBP Award First Brazilian Female Record Set 1,000 jumps Belém, PA 2001 II WAG - World Air Games Brazilian Classic Team (Training Camp,  Lins - SP) 2001 Brazilian Classic Team II WAG World Air Games (Training Camp, Ipatinga - MG) 2009 Mery Rose on Target Classic Canopy 218

First Jump! Tandem Jump   Tandem Jump is the used term to define the jump of two people using one same parachute. It is the way fastest of it to get the exciting experience of the free fall without needing hours of training formal. The instructor has the responsibility to check the equipment, to monitor height, and excessively items necessary for the accomplishment of a temporary jump of skydiving. The passenger only remains if to amuse with the flight, being felt the incredible sensation to fly enters the clouds! After 20 minutes of instruction you will be ready with two feet off the ground! And to carry through a Tandem Jump. The Tandem Master is carried through to a height next to 4.000 meters (12,000 feet), when instructor and pupil, duly connected, jump of the airplane and try the fall free, reaching 200 an approach speed of Km/h. After 40 seconds of free fall and about 1.500 meters of height, the parachute is opened. At this moment, "floating" in air, the passenger has something around five minutes to tan the appearance and to confer how much it exists of life beyond the one that if can imagine when is with the feet in the ground. The landing also is commanded by the instructor, in local insurance and private, inside of the area. Tandem Master - adventure and Security Navigation and experiences A security developed for this purpose and adopted worldwide, the equipment of Tandem is most modern existing for this modality of the skydiving. Beyond the adjusted size holding, with recess, the weight of two people, the equipment possesses systems auxiliary of security and device of automatic open. All the equipment used possess most modern device of security of the present time, the CYPRES (Cybernetic Para-chute Release System), German equipment of security for automatic drive of the parachute reserve. Video & Photo Tandem Jump followed by a photographic Better than photo to try the sensation to take off the feet of the ground is to remember this moment how many times will have will. For this, other freefall cameraman also offers the possibility to film and to photograph the jumps. The service is carried through by a parachutist equipped with connected a camera and of video in its helmet. Following the activity in all its stages it will register of personalized form, of the beginning to the end, the adventure of the Tandem Jump.                          The Program of AFF - Acceleration Free Fall During the period of training the Jumpmasters not only supplies to the student the necessary knowledge as it evaluates it how much to the due application of the apprehended information. They are they: Correct use, evaluation of the use conditions and operation of the jump equipment; Climatic Knowledge, navigation and necessary techniques of landing for the practical one of the sport; Condition to evaluate and to determine the correct moment to jump of the aircraft; Check equipment and maintenance for jumps; Knowledge of the activities and related aerial norms to the sport Jump level # 1 Program if initiates with the course AFF- Acceleration Free Fall which inside prepares the student for the accomplishment his first jump of the program of instruction to a height 12,000 feet and, initially under the company of two instructors. The student has the first contact with the environment of the free fall one, setting in motion his parachute after to have carried through 45 second of fall-free and developed his first contact and the first lesion of flight. In this initial phase of the course the all students receives the necessary aid for the beginning from the development of his abilities for practices of the sport, as the drive of the parachute and conduction for the landing place. During the eight first jumps or "level" of the Sped up, AFF-Acceleration Free Fall the student will develop the abilities necessary to be able auto-to supervise itself during the free fall one being apt to carry through his first alone jump. Graduation With this, the student continue for the second phase of the program, composed for the levels of 9 to the 25, preparative for the evaluation jump that guarantees the attainment of the Sportive License Category A. Moment of Opening Aiming at the improvement technician of the student, before each jump, the instructor carries through a preparatory briefing to revise instructions and after each carried through jump makes debriefing, that it consists of the critical analysis of the work carried through for the student. To each jump, gradually, the student is involved in the activities and is guided to carry through more complex and necessary tasks. To develop the knowledge on operation and basic maintenance of equipment for jump also is boarded and developed subject in our program of instruction, as well as all the knowledge related to the necessary climate and aviation for the practical one of the sport. For the satisfactory progression in the training, it is necessary that if he has a minimum frequency of jumps. The program demands the accomplishment of, at the very least, a jump for month. In case that contrary, the last jump must be remade. Before the ending of the training, in case that the student exceeds 90 days without jumping, the course loses its validity. Minimum requirements for practical of the sport The minimum age for the practical one of the skydiving are of 18 years complete, since that he has express authorization of the legal responsible parents or through notarized document in competent notary's office - what it is demanded until the practitioner is supported legally as emancipated or has reached the majority in the form of the law. Before the first jump, the student must present to school one certified doctor who proves his state of health as enabled to the activity of sport skydiving. Learn to Skydive - Get started in 5 Step So you've decided to spice things up a bit and jump out of a plane! Or maybe this has been a dream you've had all your life and the time has come to make it happen. Whatever your motive, you're in the door (no pun intended!) of doing one of the most fun things you'll ever do and being introduced to one of the coolest communities you'll ever come across. Of course we're not biased! It?s not always easy to figure out how to go about making your first skydive. If you follow the 5 steps in these articles, you will be well on your way. Skydiving is a sport where we never stop learning and there is no such thing as a stupid question, so when in doubt, ask! Regardless of what your motives and reasons are, it's important that you understand the risks and requirements before you take that first leap! Start Here:  - Be aware of the risk  - Choose a method of training  - Find a Drop Zone  - Set a date and jump!  - Get licensed Be aware of the risk and requirements So the first question in your mind is obviously: So, how safe is skydiving? And the frank answer is: Skydiving is not ten pin bowling. There are some very real risks involved but as with any other "extreme" sport there is a direct relationship between your knowledge, skill and attitude and your chances of enjoying the sport for many years to come. As you probably know statistics can be manipulated to tell you whatever you want to hear. They can be manipulated to make skydiving look very safe or very dangerous. We're not going to swamp you with numbers to tell you how skydiving is "safer than crossing the street" or try to prove to you that "it's safer to skydive than to drive to your local store". The USPA over a 10 year period reports an average of about 35 skydiving fatalities per year in the USA. Skydivers make hundreds of thousands of jumps each year. It is a sport with very real risks (otherwise you might not be interested!), but those can be easily and effectively mitigated through training and good judgment. Considering that students comprise the bulk of participants in the sport, relatively few fatal accidents involve student skydivers. This is due largely to the design of skydiving equipment used for students and the quality of instruction and care provided at most skydiving schools. All parachutes are designed for reliability, but student gear is also designed to be easy to use and forgiving. Skydiving accidents rarely result from equipment failure or bad luck. Remember: knowledge, skill and attitude. It's about you as the individual. Even though this is a dangerous sport, if you exercise your new skills, keep your cool and do everything you're taught to do, you should be fine. Phew! Medical Fitness What are the requirements? In most countries there are some requirements for medical fitness. These are seldom very prohibitive but make sure you know what they are for the country you're in. In the USA, all skydivers must meet the USPA's Basic Safety Requirements for medical fitness. This simply means you have to be in good health and physical condition to skydive and should not be on medication which could affect judgment or performance. Some medical conditions can be properly managed if the instructor knows about them. Make sure to mention any heart conditions or episodes of black-outs. If you have recently gone SCUBA diving or donated blood, you may have to wait a few days. When in doubt, ask your doctor and mention it to your instructor. It's not ten pin bowling! Age Again this varies from one country to the next, so it behooves you to ask this question when you call your DZ. In the USA minors who are at least 16 years of age and have notarized parental or guardian consent may be allowed to participate in some training programs at some schools, according to state and school policies. The person providing consent for a minor may be required to observe all pre-jump instruction. Most commonly, schools require all participants to be at least 18. Testing Once you've completed your ground training or first jump course (FJC), it is common practice and good teaching procedure for students to be required to pass written, oral, and practical tests before you'll be allowed to make your fist jump. Don't panic! The written tests are normally a quick check of your knowledge and understanding. Oral tests are used to exercise and build your decision-making ability and practical tests are structured so you can show your reactions and skills. All of these are necessary to assure the instructor that you are ready to make a safe jump. It should also give you confidence that you're ready to go out there, have fun, and be safe! Now that you understand the risk and have a good idea of some of the requirements, it's time for some more fun stuff! Next, you need to choose how you'd like to be introduced to the sport. Choose a method of skydiving training Depending on how much time you have, how much cash you've got to spend, and how strong your nerves are, you have three options for what method of skydiving you'll use for your first jump: tandem, static line, and accelerated freefall (AFF). These methods vary in that some are designed to give you a quick experience and introduction to skydiving while others start with full blown first jump courses that will set you on the path to becoming a certified skydiver. Consider your options. Think about the experience you'll get out of each of these and your reasons for doing it. Then pick one. Whichever method you choose to expose yourself to the sport we know you won't regret it. You'll have fun, broaden your horizons and shift your boundaries. Tandem Jumping Tandem jumps are a very popular way to make your first jump. They allow the curious potential student to experience, first-hand, and the thrills of skydiving without the stress of AFF or SL progression. Most dropzones are set up to offer tandem skydives under two different scenarios: the "one-time fun jump"", or as part of a hybrid training method sometimes called "tandem progression." The former only requires about 30 minutes of ground preparation; the latter is generally completed after a fairly standard First Jump Course (FJC) which can last up to four hours or more. Tandem jumping, by definition, consists of an experienced jumper called a "Tandem Master" or "Tandem Instructor" and the passenger. The tandem master rides on the back and wears an extra-large parachute system capable of carrying weights of up to 500 pounds; easily able to safely suspend two people. The passenger (or tandem progression student) wears a specially designed harness that attaches in four points to the front of the tandem master. A tandem freefall generally lasts between 45 and 60 seconds, followed by a four minute canopy ride to the ground. Tandem jumping provides an obvious advantage for the adventurous spirit who cannot adequately meet the physical or proficiency requirements for the S/L or AFF jumps. By relying on Tandem Master's skills, they will still be able to experience the thrill of skydiving. It should be noted that, in the United States, tandem jumping is conducted in two different modes: as a "ride" by manufacturer-rated Tandem Masters and as bona fide skydiving instruction by USPA Tandem Instructors who also hold the manufacturers? ratings. Only USPA-rated Tandem Instructors can teach tandem as a part of hybrid skydiving instruction. In most of these hybrid courses, a student makes three or four tandems and then finishes training starting with a level four AFF jump. The utility of this hybrid method is that there is never more than one instructor involved in any one skydive, thus freeing up staff to more quickly train the student load. Jumps made with a USPA-rated Tandem Instructor count towards student proficiency, those made with a non-USPA rated Tandem master do not. Tandem jumps range in cost from as low as $70 dollars (US) to over $300, so it's best to shop around for the best deal. Static Line Training (S/L) This method has evolved over the last ~30 years from its military origins into a successful method for training sport parachutists. The student gets 4-5 hours of ground training and is then taken to an altitude of about 3000 feet for the jump. The jump itself consists of a simple "poised" exit from the strut of a small single engine Cessna aircraft, or the side door of a larger aircraft. As the student falls away from the plane, the main canopy is deployed by a "static line" attached to the aircraft. The student will experience about two to three seconds of falling as the parachute opens. Subsequent S/L jumps require about 15 minutes of preparation. After 2 good static line jumps, the student will be trained to pull their ripcord for themselves. The student then does 3 more static line jumps where they demonstrate this ability by pulling a dummy ripcord as they leave the plane (the static line is still initiating the deployment). The student is then cleared to do their first actual freefall. The first freefall is a "clear & pull", where the student initiates the pull sequence immediately upon leaving the aircraft. Next is a 10 second delay jump. Subsequent jumps go to progressively higher altitudes with longer delays. After 25 freefalls, and meeting certain other basic requirements, the student receives their A license and is cleared off student status. Accelerated Free Fall (AFF) The AFF program was instituted in 1982 as an "accelerated" learning process as compared to the traditional static line progression. The AFF program will give you a true taste of modern sport skydiving. The ground training is a bit more extensive than S/L (~5 hours) because the student will be doing a 50 second freefall (that's right!) on his/her very first jump. The student will exit the aircraft at 10,000-12,000 feet along with two AFF instructors who will assist the student during freefall. The instructors maintain grips on the student from the moment they leave the aircraft until opening; assisting the student as necessary to fall stable, perform practice ripcord pulls, monitor altitude, etc. The student then pulls his/her own ripcord at about 4000 ft. The official USPA AFF program is a 7 level program. Levels 1, 2, & 3 require two AFF instructors to accompany the student. These dives concentrate on teaching basic safety skills such as altitude awareness, body position, and stability during freefall and during the pull sequence, and most importantly- successful ripcord pull. On level 3, the instructors will release the student in freefall for the first time, to fly completely on their own. Levels 4, 5, 6, & 7 require only one freefall JM (less $$) and teach the student air skills such as turns, forward movement and docking on other people, moving forward, "superman" exits from the plane, etc. Each AFF level is designed to take one jump, and requires about 45 minutes of training. After successfully performing the objectives of each level, the student moves on to the next level. After graduating Level 7, the student enters a less structured educational program called the Integrated Student Program, where they jump on their own and with coaches to improve their skills and learn more advanced maneuvers. Once they reach 25 jumps they are ready for their A license. Once they have their A license they are free to jump however they choose, within the dictates of good judgment and the guidelines of the USPA?s Basic Safety Recommendations (BSR?s.) Find a reputable Drop Zone Well, now that you've made up your mind that you want to do this you can't just rent a parachute from the costume store on the main street and take a leap out of your cousin's Cessna! Not only would it be illegal it might prove to be an unhealthy way to enter the sport! So where can you go? There are few ways you can find the nearest DZ to you: - Dropzone Database (The Dropzone.com) lists more than 700 DZs all over the world.  Organized by region, country and state you can browse and search the database till you find a DZ near you.  There's a lot of information on our pages and in most cases you can jump straight to the web page of the DZ for more information.  You can also read reviews by other Dropzone.com members who have jumped here before.  It's a great resource! - USPA.  If you're in the USA, call the United States Parachute Association at 703-836-3495 or visit their web site to get the name of an affiliated drop zone in your area. - Forums (Dropzone.com) has more than 32,000 members and with more than 1.2 million posts to the forums you'll be certain to hear from someone.  Register for a free Dropzone.com account and ask about DZs in your area . - Google it!  Yes, as you know you can find almost anything on Google.  Use your city or region name and "skydiving" or "skydive" as keywords and see what it spits out. - Yellow Pages.  Look in the Yellow Pages online in your local phone directory.  You're bound to find some skydiving centers under "parachuting" or "skydiving". - Ask around - You probably have some friends who have done it. Are they still alive?  If so, then go to the same place they did; that way, you can feel assured of your safety. ;-) - Skydiving clubs.  If you're in college, most universities have skydiving clubs.  This offers a cheaper and easier way to get into the sport.  Plus, nothing brings people together better than absolute terror.  You may even make some friends. How do I tell a good Drop Zone from poor one? Most dropzones that provide regular student training will be affiliated with the official skydiving organizing and regulating body in your country. The United States Parachute Association (USPA) is the representative body for sport parachuting within the US, and a member of the FAI (the international equivalent).  Representative and regulating bodies like the USPA usually develop and monitor safety and training doctrine for the sport.  In some cases they also provide liability insurance for students and DZs in the case of damage to property.  Ask about their official affiliations and benefits when you contact a DZ. In the USA the USPA has successfully instituted rating programs for Coaches, Instructors, and Instructor-Examiners to ensure that only properly trained and qualified personnel work with students. In the USA you should insist on USPA Instructors and Coaches. If you're outside the USA, do not hesitate to ask about the rating programs for Instructors in your country and the qualifications of those people you'll be working with. Do not be afraid to ask to see your Instructor or Coach's rating card.  It should show the appropriate rating and expiration date.  Also note that currently, most Tandem Instructors are certified by both the the equipment manufacturer and USPA. USPA affiliation is not required, and does not guarantee a DZ to be a "good" DZ, and non-affiliation does not mean the DZ is "bad".  However, the USPA, through their diligence and caution, has compiled an excellent safety record over the years. Use the Internet to do some research of your own. Reading the DZ reviews in the Dropzone Database is a good idea. Remember to always take everything online (good and bad) with a pinch of salt. If at all possible, one of the smartest things to do is to visit the DZ before you make your jump.  Ask if you can sit in on a FJC. Hang around, talk to some people and pick up on the vibe. Set a date and jump! You know how we are.  We plan and plan and don't get to it. Set a date, get out there and make the jump!  If at all possible gather some friends together to do it with you.  Doing a first jump course or any skydiving in a group is always a lot more fun and you'll have other people around to motivate you! When you arrive and the dropzone, all jumpers will be required to fill out a registration form and sign a liability release before jumping.  This release will verify that you understand that there is risk involved in skydiving and that you freely agree to accept that risk.  The legal release will usually contain a contract or covenant by which you agree not to sue the skydiving school or anyone else if you're injured.  Yes we know, this sounds all too horrid but if you want to jump you'll have to sign these forums. Its part of any adventure sport. Freefall sounds scarier than it is. In reality you barely have a sensation of "falling" while skydiving.  You'll feel the stresses and excitement of the air rushing past you.  However, because there's nothing up there for your brain to use as a reference point to tell you that you're falling, it will feel more like you're lying on a column of air, floating. Upon opening your parachute it'll feel like you're being pulled upwards.  You're not going up. You're just decelerating pretty quickly and that causes the sensation. Your parachute can be steered by a simple steering mechanism.  A "toggle? in each hand will enable you turn the parachute left and right fly it where you need to go.  At most modern skydiving centers you'll be able to hear instructions from the ground passed to you via a radio receiver and speakers in your helmet.  At some dropzones instructors will guide you in with batons or hand signals once you get close to the ground. All of this will be covered in your FJC.  In both cases your Instructor on the ground will guide you in for a nice soft landing. Student canopies are relatively large, docile and forgiving square parachutes.  This "big wing" makes landings slow and soft.  Keep in mind that the skydive is not over till you've landed safely.  By far the majorities of skydiving injuries happen during landings so keep your wits about you, listen to your instructor and have fun! That's great, but you may ask: "But what if the parachute doesn't open?" This is always a risk when skydiving, but if you keep your training in mind and keep your cool you should be able to deal with this.  By law, anyone making a skydive has to be equipped with both a main and reserve parachute.  Your reserve is your second chance in case of any malfunction of your main.  Reserve parachute technology has come a long way and is very reliable.  All reserves must be inspected and repacked every 120 days by an FAA-rated parachute rigger, even if it hasn't been used during that time.  Activating your reserve is something you have to do, though.  This will be taught and practiced a lot during your training. As an additional layer of protection almost all modern training parachutes are also equipped with an Automatic Activation Device (AAD). An AAD is a computerized release system that keeps a watch over your descent rate and altitude.  If you reach a certain altitude and your decent rate is still high enough that it is clear to the system that you did not deploy your main canopy, it will automatically release your reserve.  Never rely on your AAD alone.  Do what you've been taught during your training but take comfort in knowing you have a guardian angel. Next - Get licensed! You've done it! You loved it.  We know you did but don't mind you telling us anyway!  We gave you a nice cheesy certificate and if you wanted them, you also got some cool photos and a video to impress the whuffos with.  So what's next? Do it again! Come back next weekend, and do it again and again... It takes about 15 to 20 jumps, each with more tasks, until the student is competent enough to jump without instructor supervision.  However, if you learn with the AFF method, you can start jumping on your own after seven jumps. Each successive jump costs a little less.  Once you're certified and have sold the shirt off your back to buy your own equipment you only pay around $20 for your slot on the plane.  That's it! Each country has its own system of skydiving licenses.  The USPA has four skydiving licenses, from the basic "A" license (25 jumps) to the D license (which you are eligible for after 500 jumps.) Once you're a seasoned skydiver there are many disciplines that you can try.  Each of these has their own experience and proficiency requirements.  Talk to your Instructors before you try something new.  It is always prudent to get additional formal training in your discipline by someone qualified.  We also strongly suggest you find yourself a mentor.  Approach some one whom you respect and trust and ask him or her to coach and guide you through your skydiving career and progress.  It is important to have someone you can bounce your plans and ideas off just to test them and get some experienced input. Remember what we said up front: Knowledge, Skill and Attitude.  Never stop learning and developing these. Dropzone.com is loaded with useful information at all levels but make sure to talk to your Instructors and Coaches often.  Ask them about the advice you get online.  They know and understand your skill levels and can help guide you safely on this journey.  We'd love to hear your stories in the Dropzone.com forums, and most of all, we'd love to share the sky with you somewhere at a boogie in the near future. Set a date and jump! Blue skies! I will do my best to keep MeryRose.com upgrade.  Pretty soon new features will be flying here with hundreds pictures!