We do not allow full face helmets on AFF skydives for several reasons. First, and most important, the instructors need to be able to communicate with you inside and outside the plane with no interference. In order to do this, you must be able to hear them. Second, during freefall, the instructors need to be able to see your eyes unimpeded and to show you hand signals. A full face helmet can block this or make it more difficult. Third, a student must be able to hear radio communication under parachute. A full face helmet can prevent this. Fourth, for an inexperienced skydiver, a full face helmet may interfere with the ability to recognize and properly handle a parachute nuisance or malfunction. Fifth, full face helmet lenses can fog up during freefall in certain weather conditions. This could create a hazard for an inexperienced skydiver trying to or unable open the lens after parachute opening, especially during a parachute nuisance or malfunction. Once a student has graduated AFF and is cleared to self supervise, they are allowed to purchase and use their own full face helmets.
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