2008 Skydiver's Information Manual
A United States Parachute Association Publication

Contents:
Summary
4-1: Student Skill and Knowledge Sets (.pdf)
4-2: Categories A-H: Objectives Overview
4-3: USPA Integrated Student Program: An Introduction

Section Summary:

Regardless of discipline, the USPA Integrated Student Program advances students through eight categories of proficiency (A-H) to qualify them for their USPA A license.

Each student completes a series of required skills and knowledge sets while making the prescribed training jumps in each category. At the end of each category, a student in any training discipline has achieved similar skills and knowledge. The number of jumps to complete each category depends on the training discipline and the student's performance.

When a student completes the requirements for each category, the USPA Instructor records it on the student's USPA A-License Proficiency Card and Application and administers an oral quiz. Especially in Categories A-D, the student should complete all the objectives of one category before making any jumps in the next.

An appropriately rated USPA Instructor must directly supervise each student jump until the student is cleared to self supervise during Category E. A USPA Coach may conduct freefall training and supervise jumps for those students in Categories E through H. A USPA Coach may also supervise static line and IAD students following a successful clear-and-pull in Category C. Until the USPA A license, all student training remains the responsibility of the USPA Instructor.

Once meeting all the requirements listed on the USPA A-License Application, the student may then make a check jump with a USPA Instructor to be issued the USPA A license. The check jump consists of an overall review of the training and includes an oral quiz taken from the quizzes at the end of each category.

The USPA Integrated Student Program provides one effective and detailed progression for training students for their A license. It is not a required program or the only good training outline. However,
students should ensure that the training program at their school meets the USPA standards outlined in the Basic Safety Requirements.

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Contents:
A. Recommendation
B. What is the ISP?
C. Choosing a school
D. What to expect
E. Student equipment
F. Training priorities

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A. Recommendation

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USPA recommends that skydivers complete training in the Integrated Student Program (ISP), an effective means of preparing a student for the USPA A license.

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B. What is the ISP?

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1. USPA developed the ISP as a comprehensive training outline that meets the USPA Basic Safety Requirements (BSRs) for student training in all training methods.

a. Some schools have developed equivalent programs that train the student to meet all the qualifications of the USPA A license.

b. A prospective student should be able to ask a school to compare its program against this industry standard program.

2. USPA recognizes the following training methods, or disciplines:

a. USPA Accelerated Freefall (harness hold), where the student exits with two instructors who hold the student by the parachute harness for guidance and observation.

b. instructor-assisted deployment (IAD) and static line, the same method using different equipment during the initial jumps

(1) pilot chute deployed by the instructor as the student exits (instructor-assisted deployment)

(2) deployment via a static attachment to the aircraft that separates once the parachute deploys (static line)

c. tandem, where the student's harness is attached to the front of the instructor's harness as part of a specially designed and built parachute system for tandem skydiving

d. vertical wind tunnel training, where a student receives instruction and practices basic freefall control and maneuvering

3. As ISP students progress, those training in one method demonstrate an equivalent level of knowledge and skill as ISP students trained in other methods.

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C. Choosing a school

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1. Many regions are served by more than one skydiving center, so shop around.

2. Ask questions (personal observation is even better) about the types of training offered, the type of equipment used, staff qualifications, etc.

3. Skydiving schools are often listed in the local yellow pages under "parachute" or "skydiving."

4. USPA maintains a list of current Group Member drop zones on the USPA website. Click here to see the list.

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D. What to expect

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1. Registration

a. Upon arrival at the jump center, register with the skydiving school.

b. All jumpers will be required to fill out a registration form which will usually ask for name, address, age, height, weight, occupation and the name, address, phone number, and relationship of someone to contact in case of emergency.

2. Liability release

a. Each participant will also be required to agree to and sign a liability release.

b. This release will verify that the person understands that there is risk involved in skydiving and that the participant freely agrees to accept that risk.

c. The legal release will usually contain a contract or covenant by which the participant agrees not to sue the skydiving school or anyone else if the participant is injured.

3. All participants in skydiving must meet the USPA BSRs for medical fitness.

a. A person should be in good health and physical condition to skydive and should not be onmedication; however, some conditions can be properly managed if the instructor knows about them.

b. A FAA flight physical or a doctor's statement of fitness for skydiving may be required in some cases.

c. The instructor also needs to know about any recent donations of blood.
d. People who participate in SCUBA diving should not fly for at least 24 hours afterward.

e. Click here for more information on medical fitness for flight.

4. All participants in skydiving must meet the BSRs for age.

a. 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 school policy.

b. The person providing consent for a minor may be required to observe all pre-jump instruction.

5. Upon completion of ground school and before the first jump, students should be required to pass written, oral, and practical tests.

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E. Student equipment

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1. Students are provided with additional safety devices not usually found on equipment used by non-students.

2. Special requirements for student parachute systems are listed in the BSRs.

a. From the start, a student should be taught to be self-reliant and to respond quickly to emergency situations.

b. Safety devices and features should be designed as emergency overrides or backups only, in the event that the student does not properly perform emergency procedures.

c. Students should never use these features as a substitute for proper training and supervision

d. Emergency back-ups give confidence to the student and peace of mind to the instructor.

3. Student equipment should be well maintained.

4. Standardization

a. Changes in type of equipment and procedures should be avoided or minimized whenever possible during student training.
b. When changes are made, adequate transition training must be provided in compliance with the BSRs.
c. Foresight should be used to minimize the need to change emergency procedures as a student progresses.

5. Canopies used for students should be large, docile, and appropriate for the student's weight.

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F. Training priorities

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1. The most important skill a skydiver must develop is the ability to cope with and respond to emergency situations.

2. Development of these skills should start with the first jump rather than at a point where supervision of jumping activities is reduced.

3. Initial training, even if the student intends to make only one jump, should be designed to establish a foundation for the continuing growth and development of skills.

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