Dec 15, 2025

The Sky Chooses—Survival Psychology in Skydiving

Karim Elemary, Ph.D.
 

 

Back-Tracking Photo by SFC. Joe Gonzalez/U.S. Army

Published on Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Back-Tracking Photo by SFC. Joe Gonzalez/U.S. Army

Back-Tracking highlights interesting, lesser-known moments in skydiving through the years. These photos are often unearthed from boxes in the attic, old photo albums and dimly lit DZ closets. Please send submissions to communications@uspa.org.


In November 1965, the U.S. Army Parachute Team incorporated a week of high-altitude training at Brooks Air Force Base in Texas into its demonstration schedule. While the course was normally for pilots, it was adjusted to qualify thirteen skydivers to use a pressure suit (the MC-3A) that could be jumped from altitudes exceeding 43,000 feet. Here, Sgt. William Wise prepares for a ground-chamber simulation of a flight to 75,000 feet.

Rate this article:
No rating
Comments (0)Number of views (8736)
Print
 
Photo by David Cherry

At Skydive Arizona in Eloy, (clockwise from “driver”) Carlo Manuel, Dan Baker, Sam Laliberte and Joel Tremblay perform a car-drop stunt to promote Cleared Hot’s Vet Boogie.

Skydive Store

 

SDEgypt

Return To the Sky
Five Minute Call | Oct 01, 2018

Return To the Sky

SDEgypt

B.J. Worth | D-3805
Profiles | Oct 01, 2018

B.J. Worth | D-3805

A Great Idea
Tales from the Bonfire | Oct 01, 2018

A Great Idea

Monday, October 1, 2018

Letters | Oct 01, 2018

Letters

Monday, October 1, 2018

Letters | Oct 01, 2018

Letters

SDEgypt

"Sunset Load"
Featured Art | Oct 01, 2018

"Sunset Load"

Think About Your Vote
Gearing Up | Oct 01, 2018

Think About Your Vote

Skydiving Nationals a Wrap
Industry News | Sep 19, 2018

Skydiving Nationals a Wrap

SDEgypt

First126127128129131133134135Last