sistaluv 0 #1 June 7, 2005 Well I personally don't think so. I think that if you do your research, girl or guy we are all human. I've read things in different post that made me think and some don't make much sense. I'll tell you a bit about me.... I only have 21 jumps and I thought that because I was a girl, I was progressing faster than some guys because I overheard students complaining they had way more jumps then me and wondered why I was already at "The Roof" (highest altitude plane goes without oxygen) I'm a few jumps away from rw and I did one 2-way that kicked ass! That made me wonder at first as well, but the difference was, I was the one on the picnic tables reading the pims, practicing on ground and getting ready for the next level and not just doing fun jumps. I want to be in competitons and go to as many boggies as possible once im back up in the sky. I hurt myself in a car accident, which wasn't my fault and I tried to avoid and waiting to get back up in the sky, which might be this summer:) Now for those girls or guys that think there all that and special and stuff...and think they progress faster because there cool or something and don't need to read pims, jump to try and look cool and stuff.......good luck! They call me the queen of questions and I'm proud of it. I love to learn, want to know it, and if I make a mistake plan to learn from it! This is just my opinion and thanks for listening... Hope to jump with you guys soon! Blue Skies and Terminal Memories 4 Life Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vt1977 0 #2 June 7, 2005 My experience suggests that there are girls who come into the sport who are more interested in flirting and being flirted with than they are about actually learning about what they are doing. Generaly they don't seem to keep jumping for long. Equally there are girls who are hungry for knowledge, want to learn everything they possibly can and seek good advice and ask questions. Those girls will quickly become competant, safe skydivers. I don't think gender comes into it here, it's far more about the attitude of the individual. Vicki Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tigra 0 #3 June 7, 2005 THANK YOU! The flip side is there are guys who are in the sport strictly for the adrenaline and the "cool factor". They generally think they know everything, theya re difficult to approach, take too many risks, etc. One way or another, their skydiving careers don't tend to last long unless they undergo an attitude adjustment! Then there are guys who love the sport, hunger for knowledge, seek advice and ask questions. Those GUYS become competent safe skydivers. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vt1977 0 #4 June 7, 2005 Very true! I have a personal theory that girls with a good attitude will generally be safer than guys with an equal attitude because (and I am only half joking here!) we don't have testosterone to cloud our good judgment... (Sorry guys... ) Vicki Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gmittar 0 #5 June 7, 2005 QuoteVery true! I have a personal theory that girls with a good attitude will generally be safer than guys with an equal attitude because (and I am only half joking here!) we don't have testosterone to cloud our good judgment... (Sorry guys... ) Vicki Competent guys don't let testosterone cloud their judgement. |>.<| Seriously, W.T.F. mate? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tigra 0 #6 June 7, 2005 You may be on to something. I hear men's testosterone levels fluctuate wildly throughout any given day! Us women are on a much more predictable cycle! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
superstu 0 #7 June 7, 2005 QuoteThey call me the queen of questions and I'm proud of it. I love to learn, want to know it, and if I make a mistake plan to learn from it! That is a great atttitude in this sport! I wish more people have this attitude. Just remember one thing; knowledge doesn't mean a damn thing unless you apply it, and this even less people do in our sport. but you're half way there if you're listening. on to your original post; i don't think it's more dangerous for either sex when it comes to skydiving, we all take the same risks. however, I personally think ones attitude plays a major role when it comes to how at risk one person is. just my .02Slip Stream Air Sports Do not go softly, do not go quietly, never back down Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #8 June 7, 2005 I think it can be more dangerous, especially if the girl is small, because it's harder to find gear that fits right, and a 135 loaded at 1:1 is very different than a 220 loaded at 1:1. It can be hard to find a balance between the safer factor of a larger canopy and not flying backwards at the slightest gust of wind or not having the strength to flare a canopy that you're loading at 0.4:1 Also, generally, women don't tend to ask as many questions as men do. There's been a bunch of studies on this happening in schools, and it probably extends to AFF classes to some extent, although women who skydive tend to be a bit more daring and outgoing than others. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sistaluv 0 #9 June 7, 2005 *** That is a great atttitude in this sport! I wish more people have this attitude. Just remember one thing; knowledge doesn't mean a damn thing unless you apply it, and this even less people do in our sport. but you're half way there if you're listening. thanx I can't wait to apply my knowledge is seems like it been so long....to me its safer to fly than to drive Blue Skies and Terminal Memories 4 Life Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jenfly00 0 #10 June 8, 2005 I sure seem to read a seemingly disproportionate number of these: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1678712;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread If you factor out the testosterone driven swoopers who drive themselves into the ground, yes a disproportionately large number of women in skydiving die. BSBD, jen----------------------- "O brave new world that has such people in it". Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bob.dino 1 #11 June 8, 2005 Paraphrasing you: QuoteIf you factor out one of the largest causes of injury and death for male jumpers, then female jumpers die in disproportionate numbers. You don't say? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
happythoughts 0 #12 June 8, 2005 Q: How many single women does it take to change a lightbulb? A: THAT'S NOT FUNNY! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lostinspace 0 #13 June 8, 2005 QuoteI sure seem to read a seemingly disproportionate number of these: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1678712;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread If you factor out the testosterone driven swoopers who drive themselves into the ground, yes a disproportionately large number of women in skydiving die.Are you sure? I'm not sure. There are 90 fatalities in the database here. Remove the tandem passengers 2005-02-06 Mexico Malfunction Low reserve deployment - Tandem Passenger 2004-08-10 United States Malfunction Impact under malfunctioning Tandem - Passenger 2004-01-11 Japan Malfunction Tandem passenger: Reserve-drogue entanglement Female: 11/87 total (13%) Male: 76/87 total (87%) Women compose about 15% of USPA members. Remove 2 Women: 2004-01-21 Australia Landing Hard landing while making a low turn 2004-08-21 United States Landing Hard landing while making a low turn Remove 14 Men: 2005-04-23 Switzerland Landing Hard landing while making a low turn 2005-04-16 United States Landing Held front risers after hook turn until impact 2005-02-14 United States Landing Hard landing after low turn on borrowed canopy 2005-01-04 United States Landing Low turn over main landing area 2004-12-11 Denmark Landing Impact with the ground after a low turn 2004-10-26 United States Landing Hard landing while making a low turn 2004-09-20 Norway Landing Low turn 2004-09-13 Colombia Landing Hard landing while making a low turn 2004-08-19 France Landing Hard landing while making a low turn 2004-06-26 United States Landing Hard landing while making a low turn 2004-05-15 Russia Landing Hard landing after low turn in swoop competition 2004-05-03 United States Landing Hard landing while making a low turn 2004-01-18 Netherlands Landing Hard landing while making a low turn 2004-01-03 United States Landing Hard downwind landing after a low turn Female: 9/71 total (13%) Male: 62/71 total (87%) (sorry if I missed some) The database here does not seem support your feelings. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chaoskitty 0 #14 June 8, 2005 I think what she was trying to say is that the majority of fatalities in skydiving come from swooping. Swooping is a male dominated discipline. She thinks there are more female fatalities in the other disciplines of skydiving than male. I dont know. To me it doesnt matter. When I'm at the dz.. I'm not a "girl".. I'm a skydiver. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IFallFast 0 #15 June 8, 2005 Quote I dont know. To me it doesnt matter. When I'm at the dz.. I'm not a "girl".. I'm a skydiver. what about at night, around the bonfire I like Beans Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chaoskitty 0 #16 June 8, 2005 .. nothing to see here! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sistaluv 0 #17 June 8, 2005 Quote I dont know. To me it doesnt matter. When I'm at the dz.. I'm not a "girl".. I'm a skydiver. Good answer! Blue Skies and Terminal Memories 4 Life Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Conundrum 1 #18 June 8, 2005 Everyone has the potential to be or not to be dangerous, it has nothing to do with gender. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Girlfalldown 0 #19 June 8, 2005 QuoteEveryone has the potential to be or not to be dangerous, it has nothing to do with gender. That's exactly what I was thinking when I read this thread. If anything I think being a girl could possible get you more training and helpful information making you less dangerous. You just have to be smart about who you listen to and ask a lot of questions. I have this bumper sticker on my desk at home that says "Bad things happen to stupid people". Stupidity and ignorance are totally different things but both can kill you in this sport. -------------- (Do not, I repeat DO NOT, take my posts seriously.) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
livendive 8 #20 June 8, 2005 Quote I have this bumper sticker on my desk at home that says "Bad things happen to stupid people". Finally an explanation! I've been wondering why so many bad things happen to me! Blues, Dave"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wartload 0 #21 June 8, 2005 When I first started, I would have said that it was more dangerous for girls for two reasons: 1) The gear was military surplus, designed to fit men, and required more strength to wear and deploy than today (by far!) 2) Most American female children of 50 years ago were taught that the "femine" reaction to something perceived as a danger was to scream and cower -- not so much these days. Going into the fetal postion wasn't a very good long-term solution to a malfunction. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smiles 0 #22 June 8, 2005 is it more dangerous to be a girl skydiver? ...what is the number of female jumpers/ compared to men at Canadian Skydive Centre? ...does your dz have female skydivers with more experience than yourself, (female mentors) enough ladies to manifest a "ladies load?" I think that if you jump at a dz that is male dominated (most are) you may feel less confident about your skills as it may feel that male jumpers feel more responsible- to ensure your safety. Their over concern may be interpreted that as a female, you are more dangerous in this sport. At the same time, they inspire to have more females in the sport. gotta love them all!! I have been so fortunate to have female jumpers as mentors with 1,000's of jumps more than myself. They shine with enthusiasm, communicate effectively their joy in taking you under their wing, relate to your level with ease...inspire to build your confidence and give back to the sport by sharing their skills with you on every jump made with them. Debbie Harper at Skydive Vancouver B.C. not only operates dz with her husband, is a mother, pilot, been skydiving for over 20 years, professional demo jumper, +++rigger skills, jumpsuit designer and seamstress, aff instructor, runs the parachute shop, does video, cooks awesome meals, avid gardner, on top of making time for fun jumps!! What a woman!! Seeing how much women are respected as skydivers by all around the dz, their attitude, their pride.... develops the structure that woman are just as competent skydivers as men. SMileseustress. : a positive form of stress having a beneficial effect on health, motivation, performance, and emotional well-being. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MissBuffDiver 0 #23 June 8, 2005 ...SandySandy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
happythoughts 0 #24 June 9, 2005 This sucks for me. I definitely feel that I am a mindless testosterone-laden flying penis, but my canopy skills suck. What am I to do? I may have to dash myself to the ground in a non-swooping related type of thing like golf cart driving on weather days. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MissBuffDiver 0 #25 June 10, 2005 Damn, a flying penis? Let me know what golf course, I'll drive the cart, and you can try for a hole in one. Man you woke me up! Best thing I've read on DZ.com!!!! Sandy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
