USPA Skydiving B License Practice test

The critical steps for handling a hard landing involve several key actions that ensure the body can absorb the impact without injury. Preparing for impact is essential; this means adopting a position that allows for maximum stability and control as you descend, which helps to manage the forces involved in landing.

Keeping the knees bent is particularly crucial. This flexion allows the legs to act as shock absorbers, which helps to reduce the impact on the joints and spine. A rigid stance, with straight legs, can lead to more severe injuries upon landing, as the body does not have the ability to effectively dissipate the forces generated during a hard landing.

Rolling upon landing is also important. This technique distributes the impact forces across a larger surface area of the body, rather than concentrating them in specific areas. When rolling, the momentum is redirected, thus reducing the likelihood of injury. The combination of these elements helps to create a safer landing experience by minimizing the risk of damage to the body, especially the legs and lower back.

The other choices focus on methods that do not effectively mitigate the risks associated with a hard landing, highlighting the imperative nature of bending the knees and rolling to transfer forces safely.