clrarch

Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go - TS Eliot

It's definitely more dangerous than driving, even in Boston (I lived in Cambridge for four years.) It depends on how you add it up, but it's hard to play with the stats or definitions to make it as safe as driving. My own analogies (and these, of course, are something of a WAG) are that it's more dangerous than driving, safer than flying your own plane. Although since you don't have the benefit of metal landing gear, you're still more likely to get injured than a GA pilot. As a very simple test of this, add up the number of people you know who have been seriously injured or killed skydiving, then the number who have been seriously injured or killed driving to and from the DZ. For me it's about ten to one. I'm new to the sport of skydiving, so at this point in time I'm very lucky to be able to say the number of people I know who have been seriously injured or killed skydiving is zero. I'm not delusional, though, so I know the longer I stay with this sport, that fact will sadly change. I have lost a number of friends to driving accidents, though, from the time I was a teenager to the present. I joke about the drivers in Boston. I'm well aware of the dangers and risks involved with skydiving, and I take the training very seriously. In the spirit of the original post/thread, if I could make this 100% safe, I would---and I would still love to jump.

So you're one of the crackheads!

I started skydiving in June----thought I would do that one tandem jump and the next thing you know I'm enrolled in AFF. Hooked? Oh yeah My family and friends have felt it is their duty to remind me on an almost daily basis since June that I have some kind of a death wish because I'm doing something that is so DANGEROUS But I look at it like this: Skydiving isn't more dangerous than skiing (something I've done since I was 4 years old), or driving in Boston (ever driven a car in Boston? Bunch of crackheads behind the wheel out here). Sorry if any of you are the crackheads I'm referring to It feels like a greater risk because it's not "normal". So, for me, I don't see it as being any safer or more dangerous than some of the other things I do...it's just a different thrill.

I would stay in school---you'll be glad you got the degree when all is said and done. Pursuing a major that leads to a job/and or career you have a real interest in can make the experience much more rewarding. About eight years ago, I had a choice between going to grad school or deferring for two years to train for a spot on the US National Rowing team in hopes of making one of the women's boats for the 1996 summer Olympics. It was a tough decision, but I choose school and coached rowing while I was in school to stay involved with the sport. When I finished school and could support myself and pursue my interests on my own time and terms, I realized I had made the better choice.

You're in Michigan, right? (I read your posts about changing dropzones) I moved to Boston from Michigan (grew up outside of Detroit)----anyway, if you want to fix the wobbly knee you should see Dr. Carpenter at MedSport in Ann Arbor. He put my knee back together--he's also a surgeon for the U of M football team. I figured if he could put those guys back together, he could handle my knee! Say Hi to Michigan for me

The irony is I tore my ACL playing basketball---I've never hurt myself skiing (except for a bruised ego after some stellar wipeouts leaving equipment all over the slope ) Maybe I've just been lucky. After I had my ACL reconstructed (five years ago) I debated giving up skiing, but it's hard to give up something you love. Now I stay away from moguls, icy conditions, blah, blah....I'm probably better off packing my bags and going down to Skydive University.

I was going to say the same thing to Sunshine! Definitely take Aikido---it may be one of my winter activities..... My other winter activity is skiing. I've been skiing since I was four. I still love it---despite having to wear a massive knee brace from an ACL reconstruction on my left knee (I also wear the thing skydiving since I'm still getting the hang of this whole flare/soft landing concept). I have to say skydiving with the brace is a lot easier than skiing with it!

I'll be off student status in three jumps---I'll invest in a knife soon enough. How many student jumpers out there right now have a knife? Curious to know how different DZ's equip students....

I'm a student jumper---getting closer to finishing up AFF (Level 7---if the winds would ever cooperate!) My question as a student: I'm not given a knife when I jump (I've noticed my JM's always have them). If I were in a situation with a premature reserve deployment that malfunctioned, I wouldn't be able to cut it away without a knife (I should probably note my equipment: Vector, SOS system w/RSL, Nav. 220). Should I be concerned or is the likelihood small enough that it's not really an issue? Should students always have a knife as a safety precaution? Also curious to know how long it takes to cut the lines with a knife....

University of Michigan and Skydive New England. A firefighter saw the SNE sticker today and told me I was insane and had a death wish......this comes from a guy who enters burning buildings for a living---go figure

Good luck this weekend, Lila. I think Michele covered the bases---get to know the area, review the aerial photo until you feel comfortable, ask all the questions you want, smile, and remember to have fun! Levels 6 & 7 I think are pretty exciting---you're making a great transition in your skydiving. I've also been trying to finish up my AFF, but the weather hasn't been student friendly lately when I've been able to go to the DZ (10 AFF levels for me, I'm stuck at 7). As for the cold weather dilemma, I'm having the same problem. Most of the East Coast dropzones shut down in a week or so....I'm thinking of making a trip down to DeLand for Skydive University's Basic Body Flight course (and maybe to finish AFF). Otherwise, looks like I'm sitting out the winter months, which bugs me because I also want to try to stay current....any alternatives to heading south that people know of????

I'm a newbie just like you---a few jumps away from graduation from my AFF program (I sat out my level VII jump yesterday because the winds were not "AFF-able"). From talking to other students or recent graduates at my dropzone, I've pretty much figured out that certain skills come more easily to some people than to others, and this isn't a big deal---just be patient and persistant and listen to the advice of your jumpmasters. I know it's sometimes easier said than done, but really try to relax when you jump and remember to have fun

Definitely follow the advice of experienced jumpers. I sat out my AFF Level VII today for the same reason---strong and tricky winds. I knew it wasn't good when I saw one of the most experienced guys at the dropzone change his clothes and put his feet up. I'm glad to hear her injuries weren't as serious as they could have been---hope for a speedy recovery.

I usually skip the make-up when I jumping....who needs flaking mascara at 14,000'? Actually, who needs flaking mascara at all? I have problems with wind burn more than anything, so I use a lot of sunscreen, moisturizer, and lip balm. The only stuff I found that keeps my skin from turning into a desert is Prescriptives "Flight Cream". How appropriate is that????

I'm Chris (Christine if you're working with me because we have four people named Chris in our office).....I'm an architect

Now I'm going to have to reconsider balling up my chute and stuffing it into the container.... Shrooms or acid? Nah, has to be crack

You're right---it sites Joe Jennings "skydiving cinematographer and skydiving coordination specialist, designed, coordinated, and filmed skydiving stunts for numerous television commericals, including Mountain Dew, Pepsi, MTV sports, Coca-Cola and ESPN" in the back of the calender. This has to be a joke, right? Damn, now how am I going to know if "How to Survive if you are attacked by leeches" will actually work????

I think you need to start writing for the "Worst Case Scenario" people Ferocious farting would certainly create lift

Today I received the "Worst Case Scenario 2003 Survival Calender" by Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht as a birthday gift----a "week by week guide to surviving a year's worth of peril". The third week in October has instructions on "How to Survive if Your Parachute Fails to Open" I had to share with all of you this really valuable advice! "1. Signal to a jumping companion that you're having a malfunction. Wave your arms and point to your chute. 2. When your companion (and new best friend) gets to you, hook arms. 3. Once you are hooked together, the two of you will still be falling at terminal velocity, about 130 mph. When your friend opens his chute, there will no way either of you will be able to hold onto one another normally, because the G-forces will triple or quadruple your body weight. To combat this, hook your arms into his chest strap, or through the two sides of the front of his harness, all the way up to your elbows. Then grab hold of your own harness. 4. Open the chute. 5. The chute opening shock will be severe, probably enough to dislocate or break your arms. Your friend must now hold on to you with one arm while steering his canopy (the part of the chute that controls direction and speed). 6. If your friend's canopy is slow and big, you may hit the grass or dirt slowly enough to break only a leg, and your chances of survival are high. 7. If there is a body of water nearby, head for that. Once you hit the water, you will have to tread with just your legs, and hope that your partner is able to pull you out." I really hope their advice on how to cross a piranha-infested in water is better than their advice on parachute malfunctions. I don't know....think the above should be incorporated into AFF Level 1 training?

I think we actually agree with each other----I don't think it benefits anyone to "sugarcoat" comments, and if there's a good reason to call someone a dumbass, then call them a dumbass. It's a necessary wake-up call if it can prevent you from turning yourself into a pile of dust on the ground. But, I'm also looking at this from the perspective of someone who's very new to this sport and doesn't always know what constitutes "too fast" or "too small" for someone's experience level. If an accident that results in serious injury or death can simply be attributed to being a dumbass, well...then, attribute it to being a dumbass. Explaining some of the facts surrounding an accident, though, can be helpful. Explain 'em however you want....but give a little something to work with beyond being a candidate for a Darwin award

True, everyone has a different comfort level....but, "CarrieFisher" doesn't sound like he/she (wookie?) is very shy, IMO

How is saying someone was a candidate for Darwin award going to prevent accidents or death? It's your right to honestly express your opinion, but saying someone got what he/she deserved doesn't teach anyone anything valuable about preventing it in the future.

I've never been convinced of that "perfectly good" part....which makes me more than happy to go out the door But if I had a dollar.....

You don't have to listen to your friends and family say repeatedly, "You're going to die doing that" (looking either scared or like they smell something foul)