Abedy 0 #351 July 6, 2012 Quote I'm looking forward to the day I get more of the basics on autopilot. If you don't waste time like me - doing freefly before I could decently bellyfly - and don't have an accident like me (that cost me quite some time and nerves and and and...) you should be around the "threshold" quicker, at 200 jumps or so I dare to guess. The sky is not the limit. The ground is. The Society of Skydiving Ducks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Namowal 0 #352 July 6, 2012 Quote and don't have an accident like me An accident? What happened? Was it something you could have avoided?My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Abedy 0 #353 July 6, 2012 Quote Quote and don't have an accident like me An accident? What happened? Was it something you could have avoided? Well, sort of a 1-in-5millions accident. Premature deployment, but in freefly at ~250 km/h at the end of a cartwheel. Pics of the torn rig. The loop was tight enough, the rig was packed thoroughly. But the rig wasn't really suitable for freefly. The bridle must have gotten a little free from under the flap and caught some wind, resulting a hefty BAMM at 1400m. My right arm got caught by the riser and yeah... ...resulted in smashed right scapula and compound fracture of right humerus. Had to steer/land with one arm. Pain kicked in right after tochdown, adrenalin in a nice invention of mother nature. Injuries sound bad, hurt like hell, but could have been fixed within 2-3 months. However, poor decisions and poor operation techniques at the local hospital resulted in 3 months of constant pain (a false joint [pseudarthrosis] had developed) and a revision operation at university hospital at Magdeburg - only because my local orthopaedist and I demanded it and took chances in our hands. The butcher at the local hospital told me "Be lucky you live. You're responsible for this. Who with a sound mind jumps out of a plane?" Really. What a fartknocker. Some impressing X-rays here. The surgeon at the Magdeburg hospital said "Well, tough one, but not too nasty an accident. I deal with worse accidents every week. Accidents happen at home or when biking, so no blame on you. We're gonna fix that and... can I have these X-rays? You don't see so many wrongdoing in one place very often nowadays..." I healed well and fast and resumed jumping next spring. I kept contact with him for more than 5 years. Thus I'm now obsessed with "everything tucked in?" and "everything covered?" and "doncha do any freefly with an older rig!" and "better learn bellyflying first" But I don't intend to scare the shite out of noobs, take it for was it was: A freak accident with some bad circumstances. Only thing I should have done was to not believe the dealer who sold me the rig telling that it was perfectly suitable for freeflying. Thus: Always ask your local instructors and rigger, and double check. Again: No intention to scare you, won't happen to you The sky is not the limit. The ground is. The Society of Skydiving Ducks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The_Don 0 #354 July 6, 2012 Quote Quote I'm looking forward to the day I get more of the basics on autopilot. If you don't waste time like me - doing freefly before I could decently bellyfly - /reply] See it all the time. I've got 35 jumps & working on my sit fly! I am NOT being loud. I'm being enthusiastic! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Namowal 0 #355 July 6, 2012 Quote Well, sort of a 1-in-5millions accident. Premature deployment, but in freefly at ~250 km/h at the end of a cartwheel. Pics of the torn rig. The loop was tight enough, the rig was packed thoroughly. But the rig wasn't really suitable for freefly. The bridle must have gotten a little free from under the flap and caught some wind, resulting a hefty BAMM at 1400m. My right arm got caught by the riser and yeah... Yikes! Quote The butcher at the local hospital told me "Be lucky you live. You're responsible for this. Who with a sound mind jumps out of a plane?" Really. What a fartknocker. Geez. Had you been hurt playing tackle football would he have said "What kind of person lets a bunch of guys slam into them?" Quote Some impressing X-rays here. Youch! Quote Thus I'm now obsessed with "everything tucked in?" and "everything covered?" and "doncha do any freefly with an older rig!" and "better learn bellyflying first" One of my main reasons for getting good at bellyflying is I want solid control of what I'm doing up there- whether I'm working with others or tracking away. Freeflying looks fun, but I want to be able to do the basics, and do them well, before I even think about freeflying. Quote See it all the time: "I've got 35 jumps & working on my sit fly!" I haven't been at this very long but I've heard similar stuff from a few fellow noobs. Sure, they're more skilled than I am, but freeflying? So soon? With rigs not designed for it? It's like racing a horse before you learn to ride one.My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TEB6363 0 #356 July 6, 2012 Quote One of my main reasons for getting good at bellyflying is I want solid control of what I'm doing up there- whether I'm working with others or tracking away. Freeflying looks fun, but I want to be able to do the basics, and do them well, before I even think about freeflying. You are a very wise young duck Once the plane takes off, you're gonna have to land - Might as well jump out!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Namowal 0 #357 July 6, 2012 Quote Quote One of my main reasons for getting good at bellyflying is I want solid control of what I'm doing up there- whether I'm working with others or tracking away. Freeflying looks fun, but I want to be able to do the basics, and do them well, before I even think about freeflying. You are a very wise young duck I'm hoping to live to be a wise old duck. My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Born2Late 0 #358 July 7, 2012 Holy Duck Crap, Carsten?! Ouch! I'm sorry for your pain, my friend. All that from 160mph??? Earlier this week. I figured out how to go head-down trying to catch some guys. Twice, I managed to go vertical. Twice, I backed right out of it. My rig isn't freefly friendly. I was afraid something bad could happen. Ooph! That looked rough. It tore it up like that, but didn't break your back? If I ever get the mad urge to go head-down again w/my current rig. I'll think of your experience. I'm glad you (finally) healed completely. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #359 July 7, 2012 Quote Quote and don't have an accident like me An accident? What happened? Was it something you could have avoided? EVERY skydiving accident is one that can be avoided. DONT GET ON THE PLANE. Jen you almost have ONE hour in the sportIll be there again next year, and you can load organise for meYou are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gonzalesna 0 #360 August 1, 2012 I had a premie at 11K during Fitz last year. Was doing a freefly, just transitioned from head-down to a stand and out she came and I waved goodbye to the rest of the group as they disappeared in the distance. I fly an Icarus Crossfire 119, and I don't know if it's just my canopy or all of 'em (they all seem to open like a dream to me... usually about 800 ft openings) but even at 180 MPH, she opened nice and soft. The problem for me was I was in the middle of jump run, so I promptly hauled ass perpendicular to jump run to get the hell out of the way of anyone above me. Once I knew everyone was already out of the plane and the plane was below me, I played along the clouds on the way down. When I got back down, I was asked where the hell I went. No one knew I'd even had a premie. 4 people flying camera, and no one caught it on video. The culprit to all of this was a BOC that had worn out elastic. The PC is new and slick, and with the reduced tension of the BOC, it made for a quick exit of my pilot chute when I transitioned to my sit. The thing to note here, is prior to getting on the plane, one of the folks jumping with me brought it to my attention and said "that's just askin' for a premature deployment." In my ignorance, I said it'll be fine. End result was everyone safe and fine, but it could've resulted in a much larger problem, had anyone been above me in my group, or had the following group left too early. Moral of the story: Safety affects everyone in this sport and failure to stick to it has the potential to cause serious consequences. Stick to it and although you'll wish you were in the air, you'll have a clear conscience and good health, ready to jump again when it's safer to do so. The more you jump, the easier you tend to forget little things and denounce minor issues. Go with your gut. It always seems to know more than you think you do.Some people refrain from beating a dead horse. Personally, I find a myriad of entertainment value when beating it until it becomes a horse-smoothie. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnRich 4 #361 August 1, 2012 Quote prior to getting on the plane, one of the folks jumping with me brought it to my attention and said "that's just askin' for a premature deployment." In my ignorance, I said it'll be fine. And how many jumps did they guy have that gave you the warning? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Namowal 0 #362 August 3, 2012 Here's the newest one: Guess who needs to learn to calm down? [ url http://tailotherat.blogspot.com/2012/08/blog-post.html]Relax![/url]My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mutumbo 0 #363 August 6, 2012 Sounds like your still makin progress! Thats great! Congrats on the good jump!!Thanatos340(on landing rounds)-- Landing procedure: Hand all the way up, Feet and Knees Together and PLF soon as you get bitch slapped by a planet. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldwomanc6 60 #364 August 6, 2012 Quote Here's the newest one: Guess who needs to learn to calm down? [ url http://tailotherat.blogspot.com/2012/08/blog-post.html]Relax![/url] You're making progress all the time. I love how those that are already relaxed tell those (of us) who can't just have a hard time being able just to "relax". Silly laid-back people. Now for my unsolicited advice Try laying on your tummy (no chance of "falling" out) and experiment with"peeking" out (if OK with the PTB). BTW this isn't a "just relax" comment. It will help you get comfortable with the open door beyond the "I'm approaching the door with the express purpose of going through it". Believe it or not, it won't suck you out! lisa WSCR 594 FB 1023 CBDB 9 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Namowal 0 #365 August 6, 2012 Quote Sounds like your still makin progress! Thats great! Congrats on the good jump!! I'm not progressing as fast as I'd like to, but it's still exciting when I'm able to do something I couldn't do before! :) Quote I love how those that are already relaxed tell those (of us) who can't just have a hard time being able just to "relax". Silly laid-back people. I suspect my brain has super-sized amygdalae. Dumb ol' amygdalae. Quote Now for my unsolicited advice. Try laying on your tummy (no chance of "falling" out) and experiment with"peeking" out (if OK with the PTB). BTW this isn't a "just relax" comment. It will help you get comfortable with the open door beyond the "I'm approaching the door with the express purpose of going through it". Believe it or not, it won't suck you out! Well, I am slowly getting desensitized to sitting by the door as I've found myself sitting near it lately. I'm still not crazy about the "on the floor just inches away from it" seat, but at least there's fresh air and a view. :)My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mrubin 0 #366 August 6, 2012 It's great to see you progressing. It took me a while to learn how to relax in freefall. What works for me is closing my eyes and taking some slow, deep breaths a couple minutes before the door is opened. It helps me clear my head so I can focus on the skydive."I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Namowal 0 #367 August 22, 2012 Here's the latest installment.Crash 'n' Bash My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnRich 4 #368 August 22, 2012 Quote Here's the latest installment.Crash 'n' Bash Re: "Half brakes, tug, tug tug... full breaks. The breaks were sloppy, yet, the landings were gentle.""BRAKES", not "breaks". You got it right once out of three. Wishing you many happy landings on the new canopy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pchapman 279 #369 August 23, 2012 So the question is, what you think improved your landings on the 190 vs the 210. Just a better canopy? More energy so more time in the flare to adjust it? Easier to get it to swing forward in the flare? Maybe that's for the other thread you had, where you asked about that downsizing move. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Namowal 0 #370 August 23, 2012 Quote Quote Here's the latest installment.Crash 'n' Bash Re: "Half brakes, tug, tug tug... full breaks. The breaks were sloppy, yet, the landings were gentle.""BRAKES", not "breaks". You got it right once out of three. D'oh! I know better than that. Geez.My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Namowal 0 #371 August 23, 2012 Quote So the question is, what you think improved your landings on the 190 vs the 210. Just a better canopy? More energy so more time in the flare to adjust it? Easier to get it to swing forward in the flare? Maybe that's for the other thread you had, where you asked about that downsizing move. I'm no expert at this, but I'm guessing my weight counteracts some of the forward speed when the canopy is "planing out" after half brakes. The smaller canopy can't fly me forward as fast. That being said, it won't surprise me if more experienced people have other opinions...My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TriGirl 341 #372 August 23, 2012 Quote Quote So the question is, what you think improved your landings on the 190 vs the 210. Just a better canopy? More energy so more time in the flare to adjust it? Easier to get it to swing forward in the flare? Maybe that's for the other thread you had, where you asked about that downsizing move. I'm no expert at this, but I'm guessing my weight counteracts some of the forward speed when the canopy is "planing out" after half brakes. The smaller canopy can't fly me forward as fast. That being said, it won't surprise me if more experienced people have other opinions... I also don't know why, but my landings also improved greatly when I went down to a 190 from a 210. Now I'm under a 170 that I just LOVE!! See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Namowal 0 #373 August 23, 2012 Quote I also don't know why, but my landings also improved greatly when I went down to a 190 from a 210. Now I'm under a 170 that I just LOVE!! Interesting. I wonder if there's other people out there with similar experiences?My blog with the skydiving duck cartoons. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hillson 0 #374 August 23, 2012 Quote I'm no expert at this, but I'm guessing my weight counteracts some of the forward speed when the canopy is "planing out" after half brakes. The smaller canopy can't fly me forward as fast. That being said, it won't surprise me if more experienced people have other opinions... Nah...you're just getting better at converting speed into lift (having a but more energy in the system due to higher suspended weight helps too). :) Is this still on a Pulse? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
beth0b 0 #375 August 24, 2012 Quote Quote I also don't know why, but my landings also improved greatly when I went down to a 190 from a 210. Now I'm under a 170 that I just LOVE!! Interesting. I wonder if there's other people out there with similar experiences? I was flying a 200 through AFF, then through renting went from a 200 to 170, and now I fly a 150. I'm still only loaded at 0.8, but have found that the response is much better as I have gone down. I have been told that when the wing is loaded too LIGHTLY, you don't have as much power to fly it and land it properly. I'm still learning though Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
