Kind of odd the article talks about the instructor's English, but nothing of his experience or qualifications, or who packed the parachute (oftentimes it's 1 or 2 expert individuals, not the instructor; but we don't know if that's even a factor).
They probably rushed through the video since it was tandem. There's not really much you are supposed to do as a passenger, more what not to do. Doesn't seem like it would have helped here anyways. I've thought about skydiving before. I think I'd want to go AFF. Partly because I want to actually learn about it, but also I'm near the weight limit for most tandem jumps.
There are things you have to do while tandem but they're things that make it easier for the instructor to control the descent, and also things that lower the risk of you breaking something when you reach the ground. My instructor spent about 15 minutes explaining it before we hopped in the plane. It was pretty straightforward.
Hm, somehow I missed that line. That makes a big difference as far as possible liabilities. I assume it doesn't vary much if the equipment is the same. The physics are standard.
They probably rushed through the video since it was tandem. There's not really much you are supposed to do as a passenger, more what not to do. Doesn't seem like it would have helped here anyways. I've thought about skydiving before. I think I'd want to go AFF. Partly because I want to actually learn about it, but also I'm near the weight limit for most tandem jumps.