USPA Skydiving B License Practice test

Why is it crucial to stay clear of the area directly above and below other jumpers during free fall?

1. To improve visibility

2. To avoid being seen by ground crews

3. To prevent collisions from accidental canopy activation

4. To maintain better formation flying

The correct answer is: To prevent collisions from accidental canopy activation

Staying clear of the area directly above and below other jumpers during free fall is crucial primarily to prevent collisions from accidental canopy activation. When jumpers deploy their parachutes, if they are too close to another jumper, the deployment of one canopy could inadvertently affect another jumper, leading to dangerous situations such as entanglements or collisions. By maintaining a safe distance, skydivers minimize the risk of one jumper's parachute interacting with another, which can compromise safety and lead to potentially life-threatening scenarios. Awareness of the vertical air space is essential in ensuring that all jumpers can deploy their canopies safely and manage their descent without interference from others. While improving visibility could be a secondary consideration, it is not the primary reason for maintaining this distance. Similarly, avoiding detection by ground crews does not pertain to safety in free fall, and maintaining better formation flying is more relevant to group jumps instead of individual safety during free fall.