Save Stories – Khaled Ameer (Kuwait)

The deployment process of a modern skydive is highly dependent on exactly what you are doing. We all need to open our parachutes at the correct altitude, with basic stability, and in enough space to be safe. The way you choose to jump can add layer upon layer of complexity to how you achieve these things, and it is always important to engage properly with every single element.

Wingsuit technology has come a long way and moves forward every year. The performance athlete types push harder and harder at the edges of what is possible, and the results reward their work – but at the same time, the realities of task loading and risk management increase alongside ambition…

Thankfully it was Soft Sand

“My name is Khaled Ameer from Kuwait. I was saved by my CYPRES while flying my wingsuit during training for the world championships. I was flying the CR+ Worlds (experimental performance design from Squirrel) with extensions. It had been a while since I had flown this particular suit, so I was aware that my whole body was getting tired as it is quite demanding to use well. At 6000ft I decided to begin my flare, and at 5500ft I was ready to pull. I wanted to pull high as I had some time since I was training in this suit.

I tried for my handle several times. I have never had a problem deploying with big wingsuits before, but the hand extensions allowed in the performance competition rules go out past the end of your fingers, so add even more effort to make sure your reach and pull are clean. At around 4500ft I decided to go for my reserve. I was holding the handle but couldn’t quite peel it off. I also tried to grab it with both hands, but doing so flipped me over once.

Training

I train wingsuit flying seriously. My CYPRES is set to A4 (+400ft above the default of 750ft) and I am aware that while training for performance in the most powerful suit designs I can possibly be falling slower than the Expert mode activation speed. Just to be sure that I would be fast enough, I made sure I was a bit head low while trying my handles rather than completely flat and spread out.

Progression

I worked my way up to the CR+ in the right way. I progressed from a student suit, then to Swift, to ATC. Then through Freak to C-Race to CR+, then finally when I was ready to the CR+ with the extensions. Modern wingsuits are amazing to fly, but they are also very powerful and should be trained carefully. I also now use the performance foam in the arm wings for a more efficient leading edge, but this also adds more pressure to work against for deployment. You cannot really collapse the air out of these types of suit when they are fully inflated and designed for speed and distance.

After my CYPRES activated I tried to quickly open my arm zippers but was super tired after fighting, so decided to just turn with my harness to land properly. We jump over the desert so a good spot to land is no problem. Luckily I found some soft sand and was pretty much uninjured. The medics checked me out and I was alright, with just a little ankle pain. Everything was ok so we went to the mall and ate.”

…

Task loading is something we should all take seriously from the very start of our skydiving careers. Skills are hard-earned, and it is in our nature to try and push at the very edges of what the next jump might deliver. Using knowledge and skill to stay  ahead of the risk is crucial, but no matter your level the risk elements are always chasing you – so structured and thorough training is always the way forward.