Page 111 - JSOM Winter 2019

An Ongoing Series

United States Military Parachute Injuries

Part 2: Interventions Reducing Military Parachute Injuries
in Training and Operations

Joseph J. Knapik, ScD

ABSTRACT
This is part 2 of an article detailing the reduction in airborne- Introduction
related injuries over time. Part 1 examined the early history of US Army military parachuting injuries have progressively de-
airborne operations and provided evidence for the reduction creased over time. This decrease appears to be due to multiple
1
in injuries over time; part 2 discusses interventions associated factors, including formal and informal analysis of the risk in-
with the decline in injury rates. In 1943 at the United States volved and modifications in equipment and techniques. Some
(US) Army Airborne School, data showed that injuries were of these innovations have been documented in the medical lit-
substantially reduced from 120 to 18 injuries/1000 trainees. erature including improvements in training, ground landing
Credit for the reduction was given to development of the para- techniques, equipment, and aircraft exit procedures. Medical
chute landing fall (PLF), better supervision of students while personnel, trainers, and leaders were all involved in integrat-
in initial airborne training, intensive ground training prior to ing these safety measures into airborne operations.
actual jumping, and elimination of dangerous and unneces-
sary training procedures (like practice jumps from 11-foot This is part 2 of a two-part article discussing the changes in
heights). Compared to the older T-10 parachute introduced the incidence of airborne injuries over time. Part 1 examined
in the 1950s, the newer T-11 parachute introduced in 2010 the early history of airborne operations and provided evidence
reduced injuries by 43% in operational training (9.1 vs 5.2 demonstrating that injuries have declined substantially over
injuries/1000 jumps). In aircraft with jump doors on both time. This article is part 2, the purpose of which is to discuss
sides, alternating jumps between the doors so that the jump- documented changes that have improved the safety of para-
ers exit at slightly different times reduced high-altitude and chute training and operations.
mid- altitude entanglement injuries by 85% (0.13 to 0.02 in-
jury/1000 jumps). Data from six scientific studies involving
more than 1,300,000 jumps and two systematic reviews in- Ground Landing Techniques and
dicated that the parachute ankle brace (PAB) reduced ankle Training Procedures at the Airborne School
injuries and ankle fractures by about half with an estimated When airborne training began in the United States in 1940,
return on investment of at least $7 in medical and personnel trainees were taught to land with feet shoulder width apart, an-
costs for every $1 spent on the PAB. However, the PAB is not kles held firmly, but not rigidly, and on ground contact to fall
currently used or even well-known within the airborne com- forward rolling with arms outstretched. The British developed
2,3
munity because of a lack of acceptance and promotion. While an alternative landing method in which the jumper landed with
some airborne injury–reducing innovations are discussed here their feet and knees together and rolling sideways. As practiced
3
it is likely that there have been others that have not been doc- today, the parachute landing fall (PLF) involves the jumper as-
umented. It is important to detail these interventions so future suming a specific posture as he/she approaches the ground. In
paratroopers and leaders can better understanding their ratio- this posture the jumper holds his/her feet together with the hips
nale and effectiveness.
and knees slightly flexed. The chin is tucked into the chest, the el-
bows tucked into the body, and hands clasping the parachute ris-
Keywords: T-10 parachute, T-11 parachute, parachute an- ers. The jumper contacts the ground with both feet together and
kle brace, Controlled Alternating Parachute Exit System rolls to their side such that the feet, legs, thighs, and buttocks
(CAPES), airborne school
successively contact the ground. The jumper finally rolls onto
their upper back and opposite shoulder to complete the landing. 3
Correspondence to joseph.knapik@JSOMonline.org
MAJ (Ret) Knapik served in the US military as a wheel vehicle mechanic, medic, Medical Service Corps officer, and Department of Defense civil-
ian. He is currently a senior epidemiologist/research physiologist with the Henry M. Jackson Foundation and an adjunct professor at Uniformed
Services University (Bethesda, MD) and Bond University (Robina, Australia).

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