PARACHUTE JUMPING

Evening Star, Issue 22365, 15 June 1936, Page 7

PARACHUTE JUMPING

SPORT OF THE FUTURE PSYCHO-PHYSIOLOGICAL RESEARCH IN RUSSIA We may no longer doubt that the Soviet Union has proclaimed parachute jumping as its national sport, says ‘ tie Sais Tout,’ Paris. But is parachute jumping a sport? A hundred times have we asked this question and always the reply was: “Yes; it is a sport, and, morevore, a sport indispensable to all those who fly; a few thousand people to-day, everybody to-morrow, when it will be just as simple a matter to take the aerobus as it is to take the street car now.” It is indispensable because safe flying or gliding is impossible without the parachute. Pilots, navigators, radio operators, and passengers should all be equipped with this lifebelt and learn to handle it. But to learn to handle a parachute and rise it once does not establish the habit. This is the theory of the Soviet leaders, and to a certain extent it is shared in Italy and in the United States, where parachute jumping has been cultivated for some time past. But the Russians have gone in for it very thoroughly and have evolved an organisation admirable in every respect. They have created a cult of the parachute, a mysticism. In Russia they are of the opinion that parachute jumping is at least as useful to everybody as swimming, which is, after all, only natural in people who are as air-minded as are the Russians of to-day.

For the benefit of future or potential parachute jumpers we give the following brief _summary of the analysis of the reactions of novices who were under observation while jumping from flying planes at an altitude of about 3,000 ft. It is taken from the findings of Dr M. Gleker, a'professor of physiology at one of the Soviet universities. The first essential premise of successful and safe jumping is excellent health and special psycho-physiological aptitudes. Hence the necessity of a very careful selection of subjects. Applicants who do not come up to requirements must, be mercilessly eliminated, The necessary tests and examinations must be conducted by specialised physicians and technicians in neuro-psychology, and such an examination is not a trifling matter at all. Certainly unusual phenomena take place in the organism and psyche of the novice about to plunge into the void for the first time. These unusual and abnormal phenomena and reactions are the object of systematic study by the Soviet Academy of Military Medicine arid by a number of individual scientists throughout the Union.

The first and most characteristic reaction of the novice is a great emotional excitation, which is the cause of all the other psycho-physiological perturbations. The most common variety of this specific reaction is an exaggerated tension of all moral faculties,, which are expressed in great daring and audacity. The face is flushed, the gestures are very quick and animated ; the subjects are stimulated to perform many apparently superfluous movements., This reaction is observed in about 75 per cent, of cases. . Another rather frequent phenomenon (14 per cent.) is the alarm reaction. The subject is pale, silent, and apparently self-contained. His eyes stare fixedly, the pupils arc dilated, the movements slow. The fear usually begins to be dispelled four or five hours after flight, but it leaves traces in the general condition of the subject. However, in the majority of cases this reaction changes into the one described in the first place after three or four jumps. The third abnormal reaction is the socalled oppression reaction. The subject complains of a general sensation of heaviness and dizziness. Frequent yawning is a symptom of nausea, which may turn to vomiting. The general weakness borders on fainting.

Finally we have the perplexity reaction, which is a combination of the alarm and oppression reactions. This classification is obviously not absolute. As is usually the case in psychology, we must beware, of generalisations and excessive simplifications. Psychological phenomena are far more complex and interlocking in practice than they appear to be in theory. The same subject may react differently under different conditions. Furthermore, it is only fair to admit that this' research is still in its teens, and its results are of necessity rudimentary. Nevertheless, it is upon this research that selection must depend. The" psycho-physiological behaviour and reactions of the novice are the only indication, or counter-indication, as the case may bo, of his aptitude for the sport. All parachute Jumpers are highly strung and excited after their first experience, even if they do not openly manifest their nervousness. This elemental reaction is an expression of the eternal instinct of self-preservation. Only will-power will overcome it in a normal subject. The functioning of the heart, which is intimately connected with the neuropsychic system, is a very eloquent record of the emotion which seizes the novice at his first jump. Our observations show that the rhythm of the heart is greatly accelerated. We _ have counted ah many as 120 beats a minute. There is often an increase in the percentage of sugar in the blood and an excitation of the reflex centres.

The most exciting phase of the jump is the preparation for it, and this is entirely regulated by the will. There are jumpers who cannot control themselves in spite of their determination. Instead of resolutely taking the plunge they remain footed to the spot, as though paralysed. There is no danger whatever in jumping from the training towers. Yet the reactions are usually the same as in jumping from the flying plane; sometimes they are even more obvious. Professional 'parachute jumpers attribute the dizziness to the nearness of the ground. When the plunge is made, the subject drops through space for a few seconds, until the parachute opens. Many, perhaps the majority of beginners,' become absolutely unconscious during those brief moments. Of a' group of 19, only two remembered the moment of the opening of the parachute in the first jump. The dynamic shock caused by the opening device brings the jumper back to his senses. The violence of the shock depends upon the position of the jumper and the strength of the wind. Sometimes it results in bruises and injuries due to mechanical pressure. The descent with the open parachute does not present any special difficulties —on the contrary, it is said to cause a pleasant sensation. It usually lasts from three to five minutes, if the jump is performed from an altitude of 2,500 ft 1 to 3,000 ft, and at an average speed of 15-20 feet per second. In unfavourable atmospheric conditions and when the wind

is very strong, this speed-may reach 200 feet per second. Air-sickness and dizziness may then be suddenly manifested and the jumper may lose his balance. The last phase of the jump, the landing, is of particular importance, as it is the most dangerous part of the act. The fear reflexes are very pronounced at this moment. The shock caused by contact with the ground affects the lower part of the body in particular. Correct posture and strong muscles and joints are essential for safety. Psychologically speaking, the jumper will feel more nervous if he knows that the ground upon which he is going to land is stony and uneven. Pathological conditions which may imply serious danger, or, at any rate, prejudice the health of the jumper are chronic or acute trouble of the circulatory and functional systems; certain internal affections; chronic inflammation of kidneys and bladder; muscular defect; weak’’joints, hernia, badly healed fractures, flat feet, varicose veins, etc. Some of these counter-indications disqualify professional jumpers and instructors, but not those who would like to learn parachute jumping for their own pleasure only. We may hope, however, that some of the inconveniences will be overcome in the future, when the technical equipment becomes more perfect. " A preliminary medical examination does not solve the problem of selection completely. A further selection must be made during the course of training by means of graded exercises. Generally speaking, the pupils must be kept under observation all the time, as must the professional jumpers too. For nobody is immune from internal trouble which may develop at any time, quite independently of the subject’s activities. As time goes on human material will improve in quantity and quality, but medical and scientific methods and technique must keep pace., too. The future of aviation lies in parachute jumping, and as such it must be _ completely tl purged ” of danger. This can only be achieved through improvement of technical equipment and methods of selection.