1. TECHNICAL & SAFETY COMMITTEE
International Parachuting Commission
FAI

2. 44 countries supplied data (these figures include Tandems)
2008 Safety Report
44 countries supplied data
5,770,169 skydives were made by
918,436 jumpers
70 people were killed skydiving
(these figures include Tandems)
1 Fatality per
82,431 jumps
13,121 jumpers

3. 70 Fatalities 18 Students (26%) 0-25 Freefalls
13 Intermed. (19%) Freefalls
39 Experts (56%) Freefalls
Total 70
Cutaway & Low/No reserve pull 7
No pull/low pull on main
Others

4. ‘Other’ Fatalities (58) Fast Canopies 17 Other Landing Errors 11
Medical Issues
Collision under open Canopies
Tandem Fatalities
Main/Reserve Entanglement
Equipment issues/problems
Hard Openings – 1 dead on landing, 1 ruptured aorta 2
Freefall Collision
Low Canopy Collision
Out of sequence Reserve Deployment 1
Total 58

5. Fatalities – Largest Groups
1 Fast Canopies 17 – 24% of 70
2 Landing Errors 11 – 16% of 70
3 Medical Issues 8 – 11% of 70

6. Significant Figures
48 of the 70 fatalities (69%) appear to have occurred with the parachutist having at least one good parachute on his/her back
35 of the 70 fatalities (50%) occurred after the successful deployment of the main parachute
10 of the 70 fatalities (14%) might have been avoided by AAD use
47 of the 70 fatalities (67%) appear to have been caused by human error
8 (11.4%) of the 70 Fatalities were First Jump Students
6 ( 8.6%) of the 70 Fatalities were Tandem fatalities

7. Some Trends & Issues
High numbers of fatalities, 35 – 50%, resulting from canopy handling and landing issues – a continuing concern.
Fatalities from Medical Issues, minimum 8 – 11.4%. See Medical Requirements Survey Report by T&S Committee and Elisabet Pettersson presentation – Medical and Disability Considerations in Skydiving

8. Tandem - Solo 5,073,891 Solo jumps – 696,278 Tandems
Tandems 12.1% of all jumps, Tandem + Solo jumps
9.6% in 2007; 12.2% in 2006; 10.4% in 2005
5,073,891 Solo jumps – 696,278 Tandems
Tandems ratio to other types of First Jump
To Static Line and IAD/JAD 6 : 1
To AFF : 1
To S/L, IAD/JAD, AFF combined : 1
Tandem Fatalities 6 (8.6%) Solo Fatalities 64 (91.4%)

9. Distribution of Reports
This report, along with 2008 AAD Report, and Power Point presentations for both reports, has been sent by to all respondents and to all other countries for which we have addresses. CDs are available to IPC Delegates and to those who request copies.
The CD has the following material -
2008 Safety Survey Report 2008 Safety Survey Report Power Point Presentation
2008 AAD Report AAD Report Power Point Presentation
Safety Survey 2009 Form Safety Survey 2009 Notes AAD Survey 2009 Form
Information Notices (6) issued in 2009 by T & S Committee
Medical Requirements Survey Report
Medical & Disability Considerations in Parachuting – Presentation by Ms Elisabet Pettersson
APPEAL
Those countries who did not report for 2008 are requested to make a special effort to do so for The compilation of data is to the benefit of the country gathering same, and to
the worldwide skydiving community.