Quote:
Originally Posted by Dusty
I think injuries have remained fairly consistent all the way back to the Spartans, but the snivelling has inceased exponentially with each generation.  |
How many parachute jumps with PAE bags, (with 300 lbs. medical equip. & supplies) main chute + reserve + weapon & basic load of ammo 120 rounds, 2 canteens of water & helmet" steel pot") Total wgt. incl. your own body wgt.(mine was 165 lbs.) was close to 500 lbs.+ hitting the ground at 27ft./sec. DID the Spartans make? The main concern was not the hard impact but getting twisted up to the connector link; which would likely cause a malfunction with the main chute and probably the reserve. Fortunately I did not have to make very many of these jumps, but one of them on Yomitan DZ on Okinawa, the old Japanese coral airbase busted me up. Bottom Line in 2008 had a bi-lateral knee replacement.
PS. The CG. of the 173 Abn. Birgade Francis Kelly (no relation) broke his leg during a "Hollywood" jump on Yomitan and as a result every jump he made while stationed on Okinawa was a water jump hence he earned the un-official nickname "Splash Kelly"....Regard's, TK