How far do we let "us" go?

[ufk22 33]

This is the last post in "incidents" referring to the death in Port Aransas, TX, and it raises an interesting question.
How far do we go to regulate "unsafe" behavior in a sport that has as it's core (jumping out of an airplane) something that is by any standards "unsafe behavior"? I started in the sport long enough ago to have been part of the "we laugh at death" culture of the time. The sport has evolved considerably over the last 20 years,i.e. use of seatbelts, AAD's for NON-students, higher pull altitudes, much better and safer gear, etc, but as been said, "as we make each part of the sport safer, skydiver will just find new and better ways to kill themselves".
The question;
Where is the balance between personal freedom and responsibility, which is at the heart of this sport, vs. controlling what can be considered "unsafe" because of the ramifications such behavior has on all of us and our sport?


http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_view_flat;post=3828495;page=5;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;mh=25;
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Very interesting posts on this topic and this is the first time I'm speaking up.
First: I met Peter, hosted him in my home, and liked him. An humble gentleman and courteous guest. A joy to have around.

I've been reading some of your firsthand experiences of him and learning a lot about him and his habits. And frankly, it makes me wonder about others who want to visit here.

Here we go:
-The Mustang Island/ Port Aransas beach jumps were an idea I conceived several years ago and have been working on ever since. I live here, work here, know *everyone* here, and it's my home.

-I consulted a dude who calls himself "Skydive Atlas" to help me bring a quality Staff here to help make it happen.

-After reading previous posts about Peter's desire to "swoop everything" from churches, schools, buildings, crowds, etc. I realize how stupid I was and how much more I should have spoken up.

NONE of us in Port Aransas, Texas want people here whose intent is to show us how fast they can fly and how close they can come to our structures and families in OUR community. Sorry.

-Parachuting is BRAND NEW here and the public will be sufficiently impressed if you just fly a square pattern, land into the wind, and stand it up. That's cool enough.

-I hate Peter's gone. But from what some of you are writing, I guess I and my community should feel fortunate he hit a roof and not a group of children on the beach.

-After this incident, we'll be lucky if the new Mayor, Chief of Police and City Council allow skydiving to ever happen here again.

-Bottom line: If you and your peeps wanna do things YOUR way, stay at YOUR dropzone in YOUR town. If you wanna come jump the beaches of North Padre/ Mustang Island/ City of Port Aransas, Texas, check with us first and keep it conservative. There will be no more "Skydive-Atlas" style shenanigans down here. Ever.

Jason T
www.SkydiveSouthTexas.com

This is the paradox of skydiving. We do something very dangerous, expose ourselves to a totally unnecesary risk, and then spend our time trying to make it safer.

[wolfriverjoe 1,523]

That's a tough question with no real good answer.

MY OPINION for all that it's worth (which will buy you a cheap cup of coffee if you throw in a buck or two):

There's a big difference between what we can/should do in (relative) public vs (relative) private.

The incident you reference was a pretty "public" event. At any of those, safety has to be paramount. Period.
CSpence's roaming DZ events are another good example of this sort of non-demo "public" event. And I consider student jumps, especially tandems to be "public" too.

But even at our own DZs, we can be subject to the very inaccurate public eye. SkyKnights in East Troy WI has had (if I understand correctly) some issues with the local authorities during incidents. The cops know nothing about the sport, but don't allow anyone who does know near the incident site. And then screw up the investigation.

I guess the level of personal responsibility needs to be solid risk management. Know your abilities and don't push too far beyond them. And then only after serious consideration of all the consequences. And after receiving training/advice/assistance from someone who knows what they are doing.

Essentially, don't die doing something really stupid.

Although most of the jumpers I know who have gotten hurt have done just that.

"There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy

"~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo