This surgeon-scientist spends his weekends jumping out of planes.

The UAB Department of Surgery is highlighting faculty, residents and staff who have an intriguing out-of-the-office hobby. The goal of the series is to connect individuals across the department by helping illuminate out-of-the-office moments and achievements.

Jan Jansen, MBBS, Ph.D., joined the UAB Division of Acute Care Surgery as associate professor in August 2017.  He obtained his medical degree at the University of London, England, and his Ph.D. from the University of Aberdeen, in Scotland. Dr. Jansen served in the British Army as a reservist and was awarded a Queen’s Commendation for his service in Afghanistan. He serves as director of research for the Division of Acute Care Surgery, director of the Center for Injury Science, and associate vice chair for clinical trials for the Department of Surgery.

Jansen is also a skydiver.

What inspired you to start this hobby?

I am now in my late 40’s, so it was time to take up a lower-impact sport, that I could enjoy on a Sunday morning, with friends of different abilities– something outside, getting some fresh air, and taking in the scenery and the smell of freshly cut grass. Skydiving was the obvious choice! 

On a more serious note, I first jumped out of a plane in my early twenties, when I was a reservist in the British Army. However, skydiving is very different from military parachuting. We skydive from 14,000 feet, using small, fast, and highly maneuverable rectangular canopies, which we open after about a minute (10,000 feet) of freefall. We do fun stuff in the air, like building formations, or flying in different positions. Military parachuting is mostly low level (around 1,000 feet), using static line round parachutes, which deploy as soon as you exit the plane, and can’t really be steered. Also, you have lots of military kit strapped to you, which isn’t much fun.

What does participating in this hobby mean to you?

Skydiving is a great way of “switching off”. When I am in the air, I can reset and not think about my responsibilities, which ultimately makes me a better provider and researcher. I skydive most weekends, when I am not working, at Skydive Alabama in Cullman. I obviously love the jumping – both the freefall part, and the canopy flying – but I also love the people. Skydiving attracts a diverse crowd, which is fun. Also, Skydive Alabama is a really friendly dropzone, and I have made many friends.

What part of this hobby are you are most proud of?

I am most proud of the fact that, within only a couple of years in the sport, I have progressed to holding a “C” license, and a coach rating. This means that I can help train people to skydive. The initial training has to be done by an instructor, but once this has been completed, a coach can help students work towards their “A” license. It’s awesome to be able to help others discover this sport. 

I have also recently starting videoing tandem jumpers. A lot of people want to experience skydiving – but maybe only once! A tandem skydive (attached to a tandem instructor) is a great way to do it. Most people want a video of the event. Videographers jump alongside the tandem, and film it. We have cameras attached to our helmets to shoot video, and take still photos. It is harder than it looks!

By the Numbers:

I have been skydiving for two years now and completed over 250 jumps. To non-skydivers, this sounds like a lot – but I am still very much a beginner, and learning all the time. Several of the people that I jump with have done thousands of jumps. I will do my best to catch up with them!