winsor 236 #1 November 8, 2003 One school of thought is that safety should be regulated into existence. With enough safety rules, it becomes almost certain that someone will inadvertently obey one, thus avoiding danger. Another approach is to buy safety. By that theory if someone gets hurt it's because they didn't spend enough money - they should have bought another device or attended more seminars or paid for more advice. As luck would have it, USPA seems intent upon sparing us the dilemma of picking one or another - they ensure by regulation that we spend enough money to be safe! No longer does one have to corner someone with thousands of jumps and years in the sport in order to do low-key drill dives or get advice about how to stay alive and in one piece. We now have mandated that a Trained Professional (tm) will give the benefit of their recent personal experience with the training process, intent upon earning their fee. You get what you pay for, right? Man, that's progress. I get a warm, fuzzy feeling from the sure knowledge that our best interests come first and foremost with the people we entrust with the decision making in our sport. Blue skies, Winsor Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilotdave 0 #2 November 8, 2003 You can only buy or regulate so much safety. All 3 are necessary to some extent. I'm pretty much opposed to any regulation and I'm aware that a cypres or any other device doesn't replace knowledge and instruction (from an instructor, coach, or anyone else that knows more than I do). I think there's a lot of good that comes from requiring instruction from rated instructors and coaches, but I hate that required coach jumps cost over $90 at some dropzones, when there are plenty of knowledgable skydivers that would do it for free. But just because a few coach jumps are required to get a license now doesn't mean skydivers aren't learning a lot from their "elders" after getting licensed. It just costs more to get there. Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tombuch 0 #3 November 8, 2003 Quote but I hate that required coach jumps cost over $90 at some dropzones, when there are plenty of knowledgable skydivers that would do it for free. If you are qualified (either with the Coach rating, or an S&TA approval), feel free to provide the service at no charge. If you are not qualified under either criteria, or the DZ won't let you provide coaching services, then give your business to one that will. If you are a student and object to hiring a well trained, tested, or approved coach, then go to another school that will allow you to jump with "just any yahoo." Be a good consumer. Make a decision that balances your cost with safety. It's your time, money, and life. Tom Buchanan Instructor (AFF, SL, IAD, Tandem) S&TA Coach Course Director Author JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and EasyTom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
