airdweller 0 #26 October 9, 2007 How do you feel about that? Is "it's no riskier than driving a car" the new catchall analogy for "risky" sports? ____________________________________________________________ To me this is just a cop out for those who do not want to come to terms with the real risk in our sport, as well as showing a lack of understanding of how statistics works.------------------------------------------------------ "From the mightiest pharaoh to the lowliest peasant, who doesn't enjoy a good sit?" C. Montgomery Burns Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanuckInUSA 0 #27 October 9, 2007 QuoteBTW, I'm actually more nervous about the first couple thousand feet of the plane ride than the jumping. Yes we are vulnerable for that first 1000 feet and it's extremely important to listen to and follow the pilot's instructions should an emergency occur. Plus if you are presented with the need to bail out of a disabled aircraft below 2k, don't forget to immediately go for your reserve. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #28 October 9, 2007 Quote Then again your Pink Mafia jump was priceless for entertainment purposes... especially after Barbie was passed and it was time to "play " a little.... Thanks for some good memories Jaye.. I need those today really really bad. I love you Big Red. ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The111 1 #29 October 9, 2007 QuoteQuote2) Driving is much more dangerous than the general public thinks. And what is your read, or perception, on how dangerous the general public thinks driving is? As you pointed out, it's difficult to quantify. But the easy answer is that they don't respect its danger nearly enough, at least where I live (Orlando). Every time it rains, people are sliding off the highway left and right as if they've never heard of friction. I have a game, when it's raining and I'm driving home from work I count the cars that I see washed out on the side of the road. I usually average about 1 per mile. Everybody on the highway rides everybody else's bumper, and any simple 2 car collision often turns into a 12 car pileup because the morons couldn't plan ahead.www.WingsuitPhotos.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 2 #30 October 9, 2007 QuoteHow do you feel about that? Is "it's no riskier than driving a car" the new catchall analogy for "risky" sports? ____________________________________________________________ To me this is just a cop out for those who do not want to come to terms with the real risk in our sport, as well as showing a lack of understanding of how statistics works. Driving does not have the CERTAINTY that if you suddenly have a 100% failure of all equipment systems while the vehicle is in motion, you WILL die. A possibility, yes. A certainty, no. But if you jump from a plane with an undeployed parachute and then have a 100% failure of your parachute equipment during the jump (regardless of how improbable that may be), it is a certainty that you will die. (Or, if you jump from a plane with an undeployed parachute not equipped with a static line or AAD, and then for some reason do absolutely nothing else, it is also a certainty that you will die.) Even whuffos who are absolutely clueless about parachuting from an aircraft - or our mothers - do understand this one essential fact. Pretending that this essential fact does not exist is a fool's errand. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
countzero 7 #31 October 9, 2007 i disagree. due to the car seperating me from the point of impact in the accidents i've been in, i'm still alive today. in skydiving i know with my jumpsuit being the only thing between me and the point of impact. i know, accept and respect the the risk of injury or death is very high. i think saying "it's no riskier than driving a car" is a misleading and short sighted statement.diamonds are a dawgs best friend Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lawrocket 3 #32 October 9, 2007 QuoteHow do you feel about that? I do not feel, but I THINK that anyone who fails to see a risk that is so in-your-face apparent is not to be trusted. Anything where the chief risk is impact with a planet is not safe. My wife is hotter than your wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 2 #33 October 10, 2007 Quotei disagree. due to the car seperating me from the point of impact in the accidents i've been in, i'm still alive today. in skydiving i know with my jumpsuit being the only thing between me and the point of impact. i know, accept and respect the the risk of injury or death is very high. i think saying "it's no riskier than driving a car" is a misleading and short sighted statement. I hope you mean that your disagreement is not with me, but with the people who say "skydiving is no riskier than driving." If that's the case, then you & I are in agreement. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Baksteen 84 #34 October 11, 2007 QuoteQuoteI have been saying for a long time, that whether or not that is true, it still has merit because it brings attention to two important facts: 1) Skydiving is much less dangerous than the general public thinks. 2) Driving is much more dangerous than the general public thinks. And what is your read, or perception, on how dangerous the general public thinks driving is? I heartily agree with your closing statements. Most (90% ?) people are way too casual in their driving habits. Or to put it bluntly, most people are pretty shitty drivers. I found the following comment on youtube, in reply to one of the gazillion Lutz-videos: Quote get over yourself you jump and then you pull cords, not friggin brain surgery. I wonder what your coffins look like when you go SPLAT. flat but extra wide -mayziemayzie What else are you gonna tell such a person? Not all people saying stuff like this are trolls. You have to have something to get their attention - or vent your anger and frustration. As to the perception of the danger involved in driving, people keep "safely" doing stuff like: 1) (usually) old people doing 20 on the highway 2) People steering with their knees because their hands are occupied with other stuff, like unwrapping a sweet or changeing their glasses for their sunglasses. 3) People drinking and driving 4) People phoning while driving etc. etc."That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
