akaGQ 0 #1 March 24, 2003 Just wondering how many people here use an A.A.D. and who does not and what type of AAD they use. Ive seen tons of people walking around with shirts saying "Fu*k an A.A.D. Pull or DIE!" And for me after seeing some of the cypres fires in my time Ill bet those that had them were truely overwhelmed to know that they lived thru it. But who has one and who doesnt? :::Cypres::: - GQ ... it was the love of the air and sky and flying, the lure of adventure, the appreciation of beauty ... -Charles Lindberg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,577 #2 March 24, 2003 I have two rigs; one has a Cypres, the other doesn't. The Cypres is nice to have, but I made the vast majority of my jumps without one. It would never dawn on me not to jump because I didn't have a Cypres. It's a tool. Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #3 March 24, 2003 I have a Cypres. When it goes in for a check-up later this spring, I'll probably still jump while it's being worked on.So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rhino 0 #4 March 24, 2003 Didn't have one till last year... Got a cypress.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WFFC 1 #5 March 24, 2003 I've got one, but did my first hundred or so without one. Jump as if you don't have one and don't rely on it one bit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #6 March 24, 2003 I honestly have no problem taking all safety precautions available to me. This is a dangerous sport...I just try to find the ways within reason to make it safer. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
btvr 0 #7 March 24, 2003 I have one. I don't think about it being there though. It is just a back up, but sometimes shit can happen beyond our control. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
akaGQ 0 #8 March 24, 2003 In reply to both of your responses I agree 100% Ill jump as well. However the thought of something possibly happening to me has come up in the few times I havent used one. All Id have to do is pull a George Bush going out the CASA and get knocked out and Id be screwed with my luck. - GQ ... it was the love of the air and sky and flying, the lure of adventure, the appreciation of beauty ... -Charles Lindberg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingnut 0 #9 March 24, 2003 about 1/4 of all my jumps to date( not that many) have been with one .... as it was told to me in my first jmp course and as i belive today.... it's jst a machine.. it can and will fail...use the two things you know work and pull both handles!!!! it is nicer to have though when ff because the ground might not be as easily in view and with the higher decent speeds..........ya also know what your best altimiter is???? your eyes........ don't really need an altimiter to jump with i can normly pick out pull altitude just from visual ques on the ground....... ______________________________________ "i have no reader's digest version" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jessica 0 #10 March 24, 2003 Yes, I have one, and yes, I subscribe to the "pull or die" philosophy. But if there's a life after death, then why not take advantage of it?Skydiving is for cool people only Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
akaGQ 0 #11 March 24, 2003 Quoteas it was told to me in my first jmp course and as i belive today.... it's jst a machine.. it can and will fail...use the two things you know work and pull both handles!!!! I agree with this too but like your saying the biggest key is to remain altitude aware at all times whether thru the use of a dytter or an altimeter especially in freeflying. (IMO) Id say about 75% of the AAD fires I have seen were from lack of altitude awareness while freeflying.- GQ ... it was the love of the air and sky and flying, the lure of adventure, the appreciation of beauty ... -Charles Lindberg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymedic 0 #12 March 24, 2003 I do not have one....my last 150 jumps have been without one...I have 187 jumps so far... I will buy one when the funds permit...just not right now... Marc otherwise known as Mr.Fallinwoman.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scottbre 0 #13 March 24, 2003 A guy at my DZ is alive because he had one. He had a hard pull and tried to deploy his reserve. The handle wouldn't budge. He kept pulling on it all the way down to where his cypres fired. "Your mother's full of stupidjuice!" My Art Project Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
beowulf 1 #14 March 24, 2003 I don't have an AAD and am not against having one. I just don't have the cash laying around to buy one. I also don't consider it a high priority. If I did have the cash I am not certain that I would spend it on one. I am comfortable with out one. The only jumps that I have made with one are Tandem, AFF, and rented gear. It bothers me that there are people that wouldn't skydive at all with out an AAD. That seems to me that they put too much trust in device that can fail and not enough trust in their own ability. In this sport and other high risk sports I feel you need to really trust yourself to be able to react correctly in emergency situations. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TB99 0 #15 March 24, 2003 I've got one, and all my jumps to date have had one. I don't even remember I've got one while I jump, I act like I don't, but there are many times where I could've been knocked unconscience and I would rather have a cypress when unconscience becaue I just CAN"T pull obviously. That's the only reason I rely on it for is when I'm unable to physically pull ... Trailer 11/12 was the best. Thanks for the memories ... you guys rocked! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #16 March 24, 2003 I made it for 12 years of jumping without one. I got one last year because I was planning to do some big ways - thus increasing my chances of a freefall collision - and because a good friend made it affordable for me. I'm glad I have it now. I turn it on at the beginning of each jumping day (only forgotten to turn it on once so far). I hope I never need it. If it ever saves me because I screwed up, I'll be rethinking the wisdom of me participating in this sport. I'd have no problem jumping without it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Magistr8 0 #17 March 24, 2003 Take with with a grain of salt due to my low jump numbers, But, I need to jump with an AAD at our dropzone. Having given it a lot of thought as I will be getting my own rig in good time, I feel that wearing one will not do any harm so I don't see why I shouldn't have one and be safe. I pose this question: Why Take the chance?, we are talking about your life here. "Impossible is a word to be found only in the dictionary of fools." Napoleon Bonaparte Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dkpbxman 0 #18 March 24, 2003 I have two rigs. One has a cypres, one doesn't. I don't agree with it but I still hear some people brag "I'm good enough to save my own life. I don't need some machine to do it for me!" I know I don't need it but I want it. To each his own. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RevJim 0 #19 March 24, 2003 QuoteA guy at my DZ is alive because he had one. He had a hard pull and tried to deploy his reserve. The handle wouldn't budge. He kept pulling on it all the way down to where his cypres fired. An AAD is not a substitute for poor rigging and/or rig maintenance. There is absolutely no reason for a hard pull on the main, but due to sloppy pilot chute packing it happens (It happened to me). There is absolutely NO reason for a hard pull on the reserve in a no pull situation, period. AAD or not, that reserve ripcord should be checked for tension every day, if not before every jump, as well as the cutaway cables. Was this his rig, or a rental? How long ago was owners maintenance done to the rig? Sure, the AAD saved his life, but with proper maintenance, the AAD wouldn't have needed to save his life.It's your life, live it! Karma RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hookitt 1 #20 March 24, 2003 QuoteIve seen tons of people walking around with shirts saying "Fu*k an A.A.D. Pull or DIE!" That's as stupid as No Fear T-shirts. Just some one with an inferiority complex.My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveMonkey 0 #21 March 24, 2003 Not at the moment, but am getting one at the end of the month. ____________________ Say no to subliminal messages Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
meatmissile 0 #22 March 24, 2003 And now for the one dissenting voice. Well, it's not that I would say "fu@k an AAD", it's a personal choice. Look at it like this - while you're freefalling (without an AAD), you are dead in a way. You are dead until you take the actions required to live, and pull. I would never, for a split-second, consider not pulling, but I like the feeling. Well, unto each his own. Since I married about 16 months ago, I have been giving it some thought. And if I get into RW again seriously, I will probably buy one. Or if it becomes a regulation. However, in my 300 and some jumps I have never jumped with an AAD. Not even as a student. -- ZZZzzzz.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brokeneagle 0 #23 March 24, 2003 Hmmmm, I have a Cypres, and use it as a back-up safety precaution (I am wanting in the future to jump with my baby granddaughter, and right now she's only three), but I could not afford to buy it; it was presented to me as a surprise six-month-early birthday gift by my kung-fu instructor and fellow training brothers and sisters, on the suggestion of Dutchboy, in front of the whole school along with the gift of free installation by a master-rigger friend to top it off- the ONLY reason I have one is because they gave it to me. I was taught to rely on my own pull every time and to observe what different altitudes look like during each climb to altitude, but that was many years ago and teaching methods differ widely- some instructors do not stress visual backup- I still try to incorporate visual altitude observance into every climb to altitude as well as sporadically during freefall- Brokeneagle. I'm really very gentle, no matter what my kung-fu teacher says... he is giving me a reputation I do not deserve! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mouth 0 #24 March 24, 2003 Both my rigs have them. Being a single parent I feel I owe it to my girls to use every possible safety device available in order to make my hobby as safe as possible. When my old rig had to get a 4 year it was only out for a week so my rigger took it out Sunday night and replaced it the next Friday so I didn't even have to miss it at all. Lisa -- Hot Mama At least you know where you stand even if it is in a pile of shit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ScottishJohn 25 #25 March 24, 2003 I don't have one at the moment but I will have to think about getting one if I want to jump in France or at Empuriabrava (spain) as they are required for these places. I've done all my jumps since getting off student status on gear without one. it doesn't bother me not having one .---------------------------------------------------------------------- If you think my attitude stinks you should smell my fingers Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
