How Many Lives Do AADs Save? The Truth About Skydiving Safety Devices
Table of Contents
- What is an automatic activation device (AAD)?
- How does the AAD work?
- What is the purpose of the automatic activation device?
- Are AADs actually used?
- How much does an AAD cost skydiving?
Key Takeaways
What is automatic activation in skydiving? Automatic Activation Devices (AADs) are small computers designed to automatically deploy the reserve canopy in the event that the skydiver is unable to do so themselves. AADs cost around $1,000 and have saved hundreds of lives! They are critical pieces of skydiving gear and are considered one of the most important innovations in modern parachuting safety.
What Is An Automatic Activation Device (AAD)?
What is “AAD” in the world of skydiving? Automatic Activation Device! An AAD is a critical component of skydiving gear. Situated inside the container, AADs are small computers that are designed to automatically initiate deployment of the reserve canopy in the event that the skydiver cannot.
Who is required to have an AAD? AADs are inside every tandem skydiving rig, AFP student or rental solo skydiving rig, and are required by most dropzones for those who own their own gear. Even highly experienced skydivers – who are technically not required to use one – often choose to because of the additional safety margin they provide.
An AAD for skydiving is one of those pieces of equipment you hope never to need, but you’re incredibly grateful to have if it activates.
How Does The AAD Work?
When it comes to Automatic Activation Devices, skydiving gear would be incomplete without them. AAD skydiving devices may be small, but they are mighty!
The AAD works on a barometric pressure and velocity system. What does this mean? The device is built to determine how fast the skydiver is falling and to know what altitude they are at, based on air pressure. If an AAD determines that a skydiver is falling at freefall speeds at an altitude they should have their parachute deployed (and hence, be falling much slower), the AAD is designed to activate and cut the reserve closing loop. This will release the reserve closing pin and initiate deployment of the reserve canopy. AADs are turned on prior to the first jump of the day. It’s important that an AAD is turned on while on the ground at the dropzone so it recognizes that altitude as “0”.
Think of an AAD like an airbag in a car. You don’t plan on ever getting into a car accident and needing to use the airbag (who would!?), but would you opt to buy a car without an airbag system? Probably not. Airbags are there as a ‘just in case’, and it’s the same way with the AAD.
What Is The Purpose Of The Automatic Activation Device?
Are there parachutes that automatically deploy? Well, not without AADs. AADs are designed to save lives. Here are some real-world scenarios during which an AAD would come in handy:
- Loss of altitude awareness. Yes, it may sound silly, but skydivers are just people, too. Skydivers can become overwhelmed or distracted, resulting in tunnel vision and loss of altitude awareness. Although rare, our industry likes to be prepared for the unthinkable. A skydiver who loses altitude awareness and forgets to deploy their main parachute may experience a life-saving AAD fire at a low altitude.
- Unconsciousness or hypoxia. Skydivers can become unconscious for many reasons, such as medical conditions or freefall collisions – if jumpers run into one another too fast during freefall. Jumpers may also experience symptoms of hypoxia and become disoriented from loss of sufficient oxygen, which is a concern when doing HALO skydives. If a skydiver is knocked unconscious or severely disoriented, they will be unable to deploy either parachute, and the AAD is designed to fire and save their life.
- Main malfunction and cutaway, no reserve pull. If a skydiver is jumping without an RSL (Reserve Static Line) or MARD (Main-Assisted Reserve Deployment) – which aid in deploying the reserve canopy after a cutaway of the main canopy – they may cutaway too low and fail to deploy their reserve in time. AADs are designed to fire in instances like these to save the skydiver’s life.
The purpose of AADs is to make sure that every skydiver can continue to do what they love – skydive!
Are AADs Actually Used?
Yes – AADs save lives! Two of the most popular AADs are CYPRES and Vigil. To date, CYPRES has recorded over 5,200 lives saved, and Vigil has recorded over 620 lives saved.
AADs can be purchased individually for different skill levels, or some – such as the AAD from MarS a.s. – offer a 5-in-1 design. Based on the setting, AADs are designed to activate at different altitudes.
- Student & Intermediate: ~1,100 feet activation
- Expert: ~885 feet activation
- Tandem: ~2,000 feet activation
What does AAD maintenance look like? Each manufacturer is slightly different, but AADs do need to be serviced at the factory about every 5 to 10 years. Do they ever die? AADs will eventually reach their manufacturer-defined lifespan limit and need to be retired. This age-out is different for every model and is generally between 12 and 20 years.
How Much Does An AAD Cost For Skydiving?
An AAD will run you about $1,000 to $1,500. Pricey? Sure. Worth it? Absolutely. An AAD is designed to be your last line of defense in an emergency, and it’s easy to see why most experienced skydivers consider it an essential investment rather than an optional accessory.
Feel free to reach out with questions or concerns regarding skydiving technology and your safety. We can’t wait to skydive with you – book your jump today!