clrarch

Thanks for the replies to my post---I appreciate all of you taking the time to answer my questions. I'm sure I'll have many more as time goes on! Glad to hear all of your emergency training resulted in you being here to start the thread

Warning---Newbie with questions! I've been lurking and reading posts, trying to wrap my brain around the sequencing of the cutaway, the use of an RSL, and deployment of the reserve. I'm very close to finishing up my AFF program, and for the time being am still using an SOS system with an RSL that activates the reserve. I expect to transition to the two action system when I'm off of AFF (I know I'll be trained when I transition, but I'm trying to learn everything I can about gear/emergency procedures). It sounds like utilizing an RSL with a two action sysem acts similar to an SOS--the action of cutting away triggers the RSL and thus activates the reserve. This may seem like a dumb question, but do you need to pull the reserve ripcord if you use an RSL on a two action system? If I'm figuring this out correctly, is that considered an advantage or a disadvantage when you need to perform a cutaway? I'm also curious about flexing the 3-ring release....Is that the process of flexing the white locking loop that holds the small top ring to make sure it is soft? Thanks for the post----it's VERY helpful to read about these experiences to help bump up the learning curve!

and this was my post to the original. i checked the poster's profile, he's a student at SDC (3 jumps) not that this says anything about his credibility, that is not in question here, but my question remains unanswered. passmore is dead, this information is not going to save anyone's life, we all know if you jump impaired you could die, therefore rendering the original post useless, it should have never been posted, IMO, because it serves no purpose other than to let us know passmore was stoned when he crashed and burned. if passmore was the poster's brother/son/son-in-law/father, do you think he would have posted it? True, the only purpose the post served originally was to let us know passmore was stoned, but that doesn't necessarily mean it was useless. Who can say if the post would have made it to this forum if the poster was related to passmore? Maybe, if it makes someone think twice about taking a hit or drinking some beer before jumping, it has served it's purpose. I agree everyone knows if you jump impaired you could kill yourself, or potentially kill someone else. Debating drug tests and policy won't change that fact. Talking about our personal use habits also won't change that fact. I personally don't think it's about regulation or being a narc. People lost someone they care about because he made an impaired decision. The skydiving community lost someone because he made an impaired decision. For me, this means the next time I see someone taking a hit or a sip while waiting for the next jump, rather than keeping my mouth shut because I believe people can do with their bodies whatever they please, I'll them pull aside and say, "hey, maybe you should sit this out because I want you to be safe". Someone who is high can't make that decision....it doesn't register. If it's someone you care about (hell, if it's someone you don't care about), maybe it's the right thing to do to talk to them. Maybe that's what the post was trying to encourage....just my opinion.

ESTP - Extraverted Sensing Thinking Perceiving First line of the description says, "ESTPs are spontaneous, active folks. Like the other SPs, ESTPs get great satisfaction from acting on their impulses. Activities involving great power, speed, thrill and risk are attractive to the ESTP. Chronic stifling of these impulses makes the ESTP feel "dead inside." hmmm.....

I can replay September 11, 2001 so clearly in my mind---where I was sitting, what I was doing at work, the look on my coworkers face when he came to work that morning, looked at me, and said "Two planes crashed into the World Trade Center within minutes of each other this morning". I spent the entire day at work on e-mail and the phone trying to locate the many friends I have living in NYC. I was fortunate to learn everyone was safe. I will never forget what happened that day, how many lives were taken senselessly, and how many people were forever changed. Peace.

I started skydiving about two months ago, and have heard from many people "You're going to die doing that".....I could also die getting up and going about life every day, but that hasn't stopped me so far. I've found talking to my parents and friends has helped quite a bit to help them understand the risks associated with this sport, and how you train to be able to handle those risks. As I learn, I try to teach my parents and friends as well, so that their perception of skydiving is closer to what it actually is. Just an example: When I explained landing upwind/canopy speed/ground speed, etc to my mom and then compared it to me skiing (where I fly down the side of a mountain going close to 60 mph), she got a better understanding of what it's like---she had something to compare it to. I would just try to keep talking to your parents about the sport and why you love it. Good luck!

Damn right ! It rocks having a brother who's a season-ticket holder. Got my pick of several games, and my boys are on the road at Ohio State this year, and I've seen them play everyone in the Big Ten except PSU, so.....

Skydive New England Twin Otter, Cessna 182 (but I've never seen the Cessna move

Damn, I'm jealous you're going to the Michigan/Penn State game (not jealous you're jumping since I'll be doing the same this weekend at Skydive New England). Go Blue!

Not to mention there's not enough space to track away from the tile wall.....haven't figured out where to practice diving exits in my apartment yet....but I'm working on it

Oh yeah....and when I started practicing floating exits into my shower in the morning using the shower rod

Two weekends ago I was at the DZ, bitching about how I have to clip my nails....when asked why? I said, "Because they're digging into my palms when I use my front risers".....I was then told I am officially a skydiver

With a line over malfuncation, I was taught in my AFF Level 1 to do the following: 1. Check your altitude to see if you have time to try to correct the problem. If you're too low, don't mess around--go for your reserve. 2. If you're high enough, do a smooth and steady flare to see if the lines slide over the edge of the canopy and back into their proper place. If they do correct, check the canopy for damage. 3. If it doesn't work the first time, check your altitude again and if you have time to try to flare again. No go? Pull the silver handle. The general rule of thumb was try once, try twice (ONLY if you have malfuction you can try to correct and only if you have the altitude to work with) and then move on. I've never had a lineover malfunction, and have wondered about the emergency procedures in this situation----if you're spinning you're going to be losing altitude quickly---how much time should you spend trying to correct a lineover???

QuoteI had plenty of horizontal seperation. I made the rookie mistake of watching him pull at 4,500 and as he came up I tried to time my release to meet him. Course that didn't work Hmmm, this "rookie" mistake concerns me a bit (bear in mind I'm a rookie, as well)....shouldn't you be watching your altimeter to make sure you wave-off and pull at the proper altitude--rather than trying to time it off of someone else? What if your buddy lost altitude awareness and pulled low? Would you have recognized that or continued to follow him? Losing altitude awareness can happen, especially when you're a student getting preoccupied with maneuvers---happened to me on my sixth jump (which got me a good talkin' to by every JM I'd jumped with---and those I hadn't) Given the situation you described in your first post, had you been low, it could have been disastrous...

5 cases? Wow....my DZ holds it to one case per jump with firsts (I threw in the second case for the rigger who packed the reserve). Definitely a party in Bakersfield ....but back to the subject of canopies. I'm jumping a Vector Nav 220 (I'm 5'-9", 150 lbs) and have felt very comfortable with this canopy (even got to take it on an off-site landing not too long ago with good results). If all goes as planned next weekend, I'll graduate from my AFF program and be cleared to jump solo. My thinking is to stick with that 220 for a nice, long time...but, my question is this: when does it make sense to transition to a throw out system (I'm still using the ripcord/SOS)? I've heard it's better to transition as soon as possible, but right off of AFF seems a bit soon. Any thoughts?

From one student jumper to another---take the advice of the experienced guys who have posted a reply. If they sound a bit harsh, it's because they want you to learn from your mistakes. I started my AFF program a little over a month ago (10 levels, I've passed 7) and have been studying a lot since I got hooked on skydiving. Things that have helped me: I bought a few books (Poynter's books on skydiving and rigging) and read them several times (as well as using the USPA ISP manual). I talk to the JM's about what I've read and ask questions about things I don't understand (both dive and canopy related). I review my A license yellow card before every jump and talk about skills I should be working on. I review emergency procedures before every jump (including knowing where to track in relation to the jump run and how to check the air) and have had a JM look over my shoulder several times while I do my gear check. Say out loud everything you're checking, what it's called, and why you're checking it so that if you miss something or misunderstand something, they know and can correct you. Sound a bit much? Maybe...but as students we have A LOT to learn and being disciplined early on to develop good habits can make a big difference (at least that's my opinion

Nice. You've got passion and determination---hope you get to make your first jump. Let us know how it goes and good luck!

Great post for those of us new to skydiving. I hope her injuries aren't really serious and she'll be alright. Any news on how she's doing? I have eight jumps to my credit at the moment (getting closer to graduation from AFF)---jump #6 was my first off-site landing. I landed in a long, narrow field south of the dropzone, going downwind (fortunately no buildings to contend with) because trying to get upwind was just not an option. If you find yourself in that position, go with it, stay calm, flare as you would at the dropzone and be prepared to PLF if you feel you're going in with a lot of speed (you don't have to try to stand up every landing!). I walked away with a bruise and bought a case of beer for the DZ for the ride back. If your dropzone offers canopy classes, I highly recommend taking them. I had my first advanced canopy class the night before my first off-site landing. Good timing!

I'm new to skydiving as well (just passed my Level 6 AFF) and have a few tips that may be helpful for stability in freefall. Sounds like from what you've described it would be helpful to work on developing your flexibility in your spine, hips, and hamstrings. If you're not flexible in these parts of your body, you'll clench too many muscles and won't be able to relax. I've been praticing yoga for four years (never imagined it would benefit skydiving!) and it's really been helpful in freefall because practicing backbends consistently has taught me how to relax an arched position. You'll definitely be working your muscles but the trick is to relax the muscles lower back so that you can fold up from your hips. Also try lifting your legs by thinking about pressing the quads to the hamstrings (your glutes will contract but try not to clench them or your lower back will tighten up) Once you get it on the ground, it gets easier in the air because you don't have to work as hard. Check out Yoga Journal's website (www.yogajournal.com) for poses you can try that would be helpful. And feel free to make fun of the yogi skydiver But I swear by the stuff!

Let me slightly amend the last sentence....you might want to try a tandem your first time out so you know how freefall feels----a tandem jump won't teach you the skills you'll need for an AFF Level 1. Once you experience freefall, you'll be hooked. I know I am....

I'm half-way through my AFF program (10 levels, have cleared 1-5). The training I had for my Level 1 AFF jump was amazing---I had the dive flow so embedded in my brain I was doing it in my sleep (our class was broken up over one night/one day). You'll understand the risks when you go through the training.....if you're really concerned about going apeshit in freefall you might wanmt to try a tandem your first time out so you know what to expect.

Bought two cases of beer for the experience, actually: one for the DZ for my first off site landing....and one for the JM.

I'm in the middle of my AFF program right now(didn't have S/L as an option at my dropzone). I flunked my level 6 jump a couple of days ago because I had a total mental lock at pull time and misread the JM pointing and waving his arms to the left as "track" rather than "pull". Lost a lot of altitude before being tackled by the JM who pulled my ripcord and we both landed off the dropzone safely (thank god) Serious error on my part---one I don't intend to repeat. The experience definitely got me thinking about skydiving training and the AFF program. I'd performed very well on my level 1-5 jumps and always felt very prepared when I exited the plane. What's the thinking out there on doing more extensive preparation for the upper level jumps where you're really starting to go solo out of the plane? For me it seemed like a BIG (but definitely exciting) transition....and I obviously got overwhelmed in the air by it. Now, I'm trying to get my confidence back and feel good about getting back up there. Any thoughts on asking to work with a specific JM for several jumps???? It seems like it would be really helpful to be with the same person for several levels (if not all of them) so that you're with someone who has a grasp of your skills and how your progressing.

If you've read the other reviews of Skydive New England, you know this dropzone consistently receives rave reviews, and for good reason. I signed myself up for a tandem jump in June thinking it would be a "once in a lifetime" experience. I had such an amazing experience, I signed myself up for SNE's AFF program and am now just a few jumps away from graduation. If you're considering jumping out of a perfectly good airplane, SNE is a great place to go. Great people, great atmosphere, always friendly and supportive. I'm actually looking forward to buying that case of beer for my graduation to show my appreciation.