The principal responsibility of the S&TA is to promote safe skydiving. Toward that goal, the S&TA serves specific advisory and administrative functions:
 

• Observes skydiving operations to verify compliance with the Basic Safety Requirements
• Informs the Regional Director of all flagrant and/or recurring safety violations
• In grave cases, takes summary action under Section 1-6 of the USPA Governance Manual
• Provides safety and training advice to skydivers, drop zone operators, and rating holders
• Reviews plans for exhibition jumps
• Verifies that drop zones qualify as “sanctioned” by meeting the minimum drop zone requirements (see the BSRs in the Skydiver’s Information Manual)
• Assists and advises with extraordinary skydive operations (see the BSRs)
• Verifies the requirements on D-License applications and rating renewals
• Promotes USPA policies and programs, for example, USPA Safety Day
• Unless excused by the Regional Director, attends an annual S&TA meeting called by the Regional Director

Plan For Safety Day At Your DZ

1. Announce the Theme to Your Jumpers
   Inform your community that this year's Safety Day will focus on the "Stay Alive - Practice Five" theme, emphasizing five key areas: Rear-Riser Turns, Braked Turns, Half-Braked Flares, Reverse Turns, and Low-Turn Recovery. Highlight the importance of mastering these techniques for skydiving safety.
2. Incentivize Attendance
   Encourage a higher turnout by offering attractive incentives such as discounted jump tickets, free food, reduced prices for reserve pack jobs, door prizes and more. Culminate the event with a celebratory gathering to reinforce community bonds.
3. Choose a Comfortable Location
   Select a venue that comfortably accommodates lectures, training-harness drills and rig inspections. Consider options like a spacious hangar, local restaurants, school gyms, motels or veterans' lodges.
4. Develop a Training Syllabus Around the Theme
   Prepare a training program incorporating the "Stay Alive—Practice Five" theme. Additional resources will be available by the end of February, including the 2023 Fatality Summary and related video, along with the "Stay Alive—Practice Five" PowerPoint presentation and accompanying video. Your curriculum should encompass:
   
   Gear Check and Review:
   Have jumpers inspect their rigs with a rigger. Check closing loops and flaps, pilot chute snugness and condition, Velcro, three-ring condition, RSL routing, AAD compliance with battery and factory check, etc.
   Skydiving Emergency Review and Drills:
   Tailor emergency drills using the five canopy skills jumpers need to practice to stay proficient.
   Canopy Flight and Landing Patterns:
   Use aerial photos to show acceptable and unacceptable outs, review hazards, establish or review landing patterns and discuss canopy handling toward preventing low-turn accidents using this year's five highlighted canopy skills.
   Aircraft Procedures and Emergencies:
   Review exit order and loading procedures, seat belt and weight-and-balance concerns, spotting procedures, visibility minimums and cloud clearances, air traffic control requirements and aircraft emergency scenarios.
   
5. Engage in Public Relations
   Give recognition to attendees and contributors. Engage local media for coverage. Please take pictures and send them to Parachutist with a brief write-up on this page's form. Remember, those who don't attend might need extra attention when the season begins.
6. Emphasize Fun and Socializing
   While focusing on safety, don't forget the fun aspect of skydiving. Plan social activities for post-event relaxation, allowing jumpers to connect and share their experiences.