Skydiving Promo on MSNBC

[docjohn 0]

Skydiving, tandem jumping especially got some nice publicity this morning on the MSNBC website.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4980771/

I'd like to see much more of this!

Doc
http://www.manifestmaster.com/video

[napaguy99 0]

And of course it's loaded with errors. I like this one: "Both solo methods (AFF and SL) cost at least $100 more than tandem." Excuse me? SL costs $100 more than tandem? Uh huh.

"Poynter’s book estimates that there are 300,000 jumps in the U.S. each year, but over the course of a decade there were only 2,500 injuries—mostly sprained ankles or wrists—and 33 deaths. That’s one fatality for every 97,000 jumps."

Something about these numbers doesn't seem right. For one thing, we are averaging more than 33 deaths per century.

"Plus, if the main chute malfunctions, an emergency unit opens automatically."

Is this that cool neat-o new wristwatch I saw in Skydiving a few months ago?

I wish the general public would cross check their info before they post it. When you see them jack up stuff like this you know they are doing it to other info as well. It just goes to show you that you really have to stop and think about everything you see/hear in the media.

"Let the misinterpretation and attacks begin."

[wildblue 7]

In general, it was decent though. Made some good points. Looks like some of it was just editing mistakes.

This one confused me though (along with the 33 deaths in a decade):

"New parachutes are highly flyable machines," says Sazz McGreevey, of Skydive DeLand in Florida. "There’s an accelerator and a braking system to assist in landing."

Makes it sound like we've got a gas pedal somewhere!

it's like incest - you're substituting convenience for quality

[skyedivr 0]

one of my bosses brought me into his office and asked if that pic was of me......I was like...nope.

my power is beyond your understanding.

[mr2mk1g 10]

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Makes it sound like we've got a gas pedal somewhere!

Perhaps that's not a bad way of describing a dive loop to a whuffo.

[FrogNog 1]

I thought Poynter's book said an estimated 33 deaths per year, not decade. I haven't checked the book recently enough to be sure, anyway.

-=-=-

Our gear is complex when you get to describing all the details of it. I dislike the shortened, screwed-up version reporters describe, but it's a compromise.

-=-=-=-=-
Pull.

[BikerBabe 0]

well, the blatant spelling error in the first sentence is a clear indicator of the quality of article it is to me. I was tempted to stop reading.

errr...it's "exhilarating" not "exhilerating"

grrrrrr

Never meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup!

[dbattman 0]

It's possible Poynter was refering to tandem jumps as opposed to sport jumps. 300,000 tandems a year in the US sounds in the ballpark.

Overall, that was an excellent article.

[jumperconway 0]

I don't understand the numbers but I think it was suppossed to be estimated 300,000 total jumps a year in the USA, with 33 deaths per annum the rate would be roughly 1/9,091 jumps and although more realistic, it wouldn't explain to the wuffo public about how many deaths that occur because of stupid pilot error under perfectly good parachutes over their heads!

[kelpdiver 2]

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I don't understand the numbers but I think it was suppossed to be estimated 300,000 total jumps a year in the USA, with 33 deaths per annum the rate would be roughly 1/9,091 jumps and although more realistic, it wouldn't explain to the wuffo public about how many deaths that occur because of stupid pilot error under perfectly good parachutes over their heads!

I thought they missed a zero in there - 3million and 33 deaths/year seem as close to the truth as one can get.

[Dougiefresh 0]

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With g-forces tugging on you, you’re literally grinning from ear to ear the entire way down.

I'm pretty sure my smile in FF isn't due to G forces. Besides, it's only 1 G. Whatever.

Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. --Douglas Adams

[skymedic 0]

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Something about these numbers doesn't seem right. For one thing, we are averaging more than 33 deaths per century.

where in there are they saying there are 33 deaths in the century? in the year yes...we average in the low thirties...but we also average more jumps than that a year by far...

Marc
otherwise known as Mr.Fallinwoman....