Apex BAGJUMP SOP Blue Mountain Resort
Procedure Owner: Graeme Dugale Procedure Author: Graeme Dugale Date of Implementation: June 2014
History Log Date Modified by Approved by Notes Modified 25/06/2014 Graeme Dugale Apex Procedures Drafted 29/06/2014 Graeme Dugale Edits
Parts of this SOP have been taken from the BAGJUMP Operations Manual NIP.
Apex BAGJUMP SOP Page 1 Contents 1. Description of Equipment a. Overview b. Top Sheet and Sidewall c. Air Pillars/Catching Zone d. Safety Zone e. Blowers f. How to Adjust Air Pressure g. Anchoring Straps h. How to Anchor the Air Bag 2. Rules and Restrictions 3. Staff Roles and Responsibilities 4. Opening, Setup and Inspection 5. Deflation, Daily Packing and Closing 6. Long Term Packing 7. Storage 8. Maintenance 9. Weather Closures and Evacuations
Apex BAGJUMP SOP Page 2 1. Description of Equipment a) Overview The airbag is composed of 2 compartments – the lower safety zone and the upper catching zone. The catching zone uses air pillars to absorb and dissipate the possible initial impact and the safety zone prevents jumpers from hitting through to the ground. The air pressure can be regulated by the speed levels on the air blowers and by the pressure valves on the corners of each bag.
b) Top Sheet and Sidewall The top sheet is mounted with a double-sided Velcro system. Attach the Velcro “V-Connection” of the top sheet to the “I-Connection” of the sidewalls. Make sure all Velcro fields are attached to each other.
Connect each of the 4 sidewalls to the main air bag by attaching the bungees through every loophole as shown in the picture.
Apex BAGJUMP SOP Page 3 For repairs, take the top sheet or sidewall off manually and use the appropriate approved repair material from the repair kit.
The air bag must not be used without the top sheet or sidewalls as it may harm the main air bag and may result in serious or even fatal injuries. c) Air Pillars/Catching Zone The air pillars are located directly underneath the top sheet. They are positioned on a certain pattern and are the first system to cushion the landing of the jumper. Due to the air spaces created within the air pillars and in between the air pillars, the initial impact velocity of the landing is reduced.
The air pillars are connected at their base to the main air bag/safety zone with 10cm of Velcro. If an air pillar is damaged in any way, it can be replaced by attaching a new one with the Velcro system. The top of each air pillar is connected to the main air bag/safety zone by bungees. These should be tied down at a length between 30-50cm. If an air pillar comes undone, re- attach it to the top of the safety zone via bungee.
Apex BAGJUMP SOP Page 4 The catching zone is approximately 70-90cm thick to reduce the impact velocity. The air bag has a constant air pressure to catch people as softly as possible and move into it’s original position after each jump.
The catching zone needs to be inflated at all times during operations in order to have the air bag in a steady and safe operational level. d) Safety Zone The safety zone is a protective zone which stops the jumpers fall fully. The safety zone is split into multiple chambers to raise the air pressure and direct the airflow towards the air pillars/catching zone. The safety zone has a minimum of 1 maintenance zipper located on the bottom. Make sure to keep the Velcro on top of the maintenance zippers closed during operation. e) Blowers The air bag is operated with 110v blowers called Grizzly blowers.
Apex BAGJUMP SOP Page 5 f) How to Adjust Air Pressure The Grizzly Blowers have 3 speed settings: “1” being the lowest, “2” middle and “3” the highest speed. To inflate the air bag, turn the blower to high with all the Velcro flaps open. Make sure the blower is connected tightly without any twists or obstructions.
Air pressure should be set to between 200 and 250 kPa (kilopascal) or 30 and 35 PSI (pounds per square inch) and can be regulated by adjusting the speed on the blower and the Velcro flaps.
Do not operate the air bag with a faulty air blower or broken/twisted blower hose as this may result in a loss of air pressure.
g) Anchoring Straps Every air bag is equipped with anchoring straps mounted on the bottom on each side and corner. For folding and unfolding, the anchoring straps will enable a fast setup and tear down. When the air bag is set up, the bottom straps need to be attached to the flexible anchoring system to hold it in position. A minimum of 4 anchoring points (each corner preferred) must be securely attached when the air bag is in use. This is particularly important to prevent the air bag from moving due to wind or jumpers momentum. h) How to Anchor the Air Bag The air bag needs to be in its final position before anchoring and inflating. Each anchor must be secured at an anchoring spot which can withstand a minimum of 150kg/330lbs in pull. The
Apex BAGJUMP SOP Page 6 anchoring bungees need to be securely attached between the anchoring strap and a solid anchoring point.
During operation always have the anchor bungees in between the anchoring straps and the anchoring point. Do not anchor without anchor bungees in between as this could result in the anchoring straps ripping out and damaging the safety zone.
Apex BAGJUMP SOP Page 7 2. Rules and Restrictions a. Rules i. Participants must take a running jump, lift their feet, cross their hands across their chest and land on their back in a sitting position ii. Participants must successfully complete a qualifying jump from one of the lower jumps iii. Participants must not land directly on feet or head iv. Do not jump until instructed by Attendant and wait for the previous person to leave the bag before jumping v. No inverted maneuvers allowed vi. Immediately leave the bag after jumping by moving off the bag in the direction of the red “EXIT” arrow vii. No jumping with sharp or breakable objects viii. Participants must secure any loose items ix. Participants must follow all directions given by staff
b. Restrictions i. Minimum 8 years of age for jumps #1 and #2 ii. Minimum 13 years of age for jumps #3 and #4 iii. Maximum weight is 250 lbs.
3. Staff Roles and Responsibilities a. Entrance Staff i. Positioned at the top of the staircase or on the landing between staircases ii. Responsible for restricting access to decks iii. Responsible for greeting guests, checking tickets and scanning tickets iv. Take ticket after scanning and attach wristband to each guest (one colour for 8-12 and one colour for 13+, same as Timber Challenge) v. Confirm participants have read and understand liability, rule and restrictions signage vi. Send guests to qualifying jump when directed by lower deck staff vii. Monitor traffic flow of guests who have completed their qualifying jump
b. Deck Staff i. Positioned on the decks at or between each ramp
Apex BAGJUMP SOP Page 8 ii. Responsible for both bags accessible from their deck iii. Ensure guests have appropriate wristband for their deck iv. Explain jumping technique and confirm understanding of rules v. Additionally, participants should be directed to jump into the logo on the bag vi. Ensure bags are clear of objects and people and are fully inflated vii. Direct guests to open and walk through the gate and to jump when ready
c. Ground Staff i. Positioned under decks at dismount areas ii. Instruct guests to walk, crawl or roll slowly to the exit of the airbag iii. Assist guests dismounting bags iv. Mark wristband to denote qualifying jump and subsequent jumps used v. Check marks on wristbands to see if they have jumps remaining vi. Direct guests back up the stairs if they have not used up all three jumps vii. Direct guests to exit if they have used up all three jumps viii. Notify deck staff of any issues with bags ix. Blow whistle to stop jumpers if they notice any deflation in bags
4. Opening, Setup and Daily Inspection a. Opening i. Opening procedure should commence no later than 30 minutes prior to scheduled opening time
ii. Remove “No Trespassing” sign from staircase
iii. Unlock the gate/rope on the stairs
iv. Remove “Closed” signs from the entrance to each jump
b. Setup i. Unfold tarp from around each air bag
ii. Unfold each air bag
iii. Position each bag
a. Never pull or drag the air bag by a single anchoring strap b. Bags #1 and #2 should be 6 feet from the poles under the lower deck
c. Bags #3 and #4 should be 8 feet from the poles under the upper deck
Apex BAGJUMP SOP Page 9 d. Bags should be positioned so that the Blue Mountain logo on the top sheet is in line with each jumping ramp
iv. Anchor the air bag with its flexible anchoring system according to the diagram in appendix A
v. Attach the blowers to the blower hose located on the safety zone of the air bag. Make sure the hoses are not bent or twisted.
vi. Turn each blower to 3/high
vii. Once bag is inflated, turn each blower to 1/low viii. Perform a test jump into each bag after the Daily Inspection Sheet has been completed and there is no damage to the air bags
ix. Daily Inspection
a. Complete Daily Inspection Sheet – See Appendix B
5. Deflation, Daily Packing and Closing a. Deflation i. Inspect airbags for damage ii. Unplug blowers iii. Loosen blower hoses, remove blowers and store blowers in shed iv. Disconnect airbags from rear anchors only and store anchors in shed
b. Daily Packing i. Fold the blower hose onto the air bag ii. Fold the air bags in half from back to front iii. Fold tarp that bag sits on over bag and attach to poles or anchors
c. Closing
i. Place “Closed” signs at the entrance to each jump ii. Lock the gate/rope on the stairs iii. Place “No Trespassing” sign on staircase
6. Long Term Packing If transporting an air bag it will need to be completely packed according to the following procedure.
Apex BAGJUMP SOP Page 10 7. Storage Frequently wipe soiled areas using a mild cleaner (such as Simple Green). Never soak the air bag as mildew may form. Do not use Methyl, Ethyl, Ketone or Methyl Hydrate to clean the air bag as this will damage the vinyl. Do not use chlorine based cleaners or bleach to clean as this may damage the threads. Do not use spray paints as this will damage the material.
Apex BAGJUMP SOP Page 11 Store the air bag, electrical devices and all accessories in a warm and dry place. Never store these items in a place colder than -10 degrees Celsius or warmer than 50 degrees Celsius.
8. Maintenance In the event of any deficiencies or damages, do not operate the air bag until they are fully resolved. Warranty claims will only be accepted if properly documented with high quality pictures BEFORE repair attempts.
Please make sure to follow the Daily Inspection Sheet during daily inspections and this checklist during monthly inspections: a. Check the following parts for wear and tear, cuts, broken seams, ripped material, etc. i. Top sheet ii. Pressure valves iii. Blower hose iv. Sidewalls v. Maintenance zippers vi. Blower inlet vii. Air pillars viii. Modular connections b. Ensure that all Velcro connections are attached properly and tightly without any air leaks or folds i. Velcro connections between safety zone and air pillars ii. Make sure the air pillars are attached without any leaking c. Check bungee connection between air pillars and safety zone. This should be measured between 30-50cm. In case a bungee opens up, re-attach it to the appropriate latch on the safety zone.
9. Weather Closures and Evacuations
a. Do not setup or operate the airbags if winds are above 25 km/h b. Do not setup or operate during rain, thunder or lightening i. In the event of thunder or lightening, operation can resume when 20 minutes has passed without further instances of either thunder or lightening c. Do not operate if there is water on the surface of the airbag
In the event of any of the conditions listed above, immediately stop all jumping and exit guests from the decks via stairs to the ground and direct them to the GCL base lodge or to Activity Central for shelter.
Apex BAGJUMP SOP Page 12 Blowers should be disconnected from their power sources and the airbags covered with tarps and tied down.
Appendix A – Apex Bagjump Anchoring Diagram
Apex BAGJUMP SOP Page 13 Appendix B – Apex Bagjump Daily Inspection Sheet
Apex BAGJUMP SOP Page 14 Apex BAGJUMP SOP Page 15