riddler

To clarify - you are saying turn with front riser? Or try with toggle first, then front riser if you have time?

Sure, as long as the parents don't mind that your educational sources are blue-haired freaks

I have been told by three people that the container *may* be too big for the main (but not by a rigger). It's hard for me to believe, considering how hard it seems to be to close

I don't have a fishscale, but I just tried it, and I'm guessing about 10 pounds of force straight up to extract. I'm guessing that because the rig weighs about 20 pounds, and I can barely lift the edge of the rig off the ground before the pin comes out.

OK, my packing still sucks, but I'm getting better. At least I think I'm getting better, until I pack as shown in the pics. FYI - Vector 2 (DOM 1988) V8 (I believe), packing a Triathalon 190 (DOM 1994). I have been told by DZOs (not riggers) the container *may* be too big for the main. You can see from the pics that some corners of the bag really want to lump out to the sides. I've been told the sides should be smooth. Also, there is a "soft" space on the side closest to the reserve (I circled) and the BOC is "bowed" inwards. Can anyone see a potential problem with deployment because of this pack job?

Cripes - the longest I had to wait for a security clearance was five weeks, including people interviewing my neighbors. SC - on a personal note - what is your motivation for getting a rigger's ticket? And how long does it typically take? You can PM me if you don't want to share. Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

I've never seen southpark, but I mountain biked through there once. My g/f made me watch the movie with her. What is he saying? Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

Well, you could interview them all, then take strategic commercial breaks during the actual show Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

Good job on the reserve mal d2 - they are rare and unexpected. If I were you, I would consult the manufacturer - they might have an idea what caused it or even a better procedure for handling that issue based on their understanding of the canopy. I have *heard* (note - not experienced) one manufacturer say that if you have a lot of altitude and no luck with flaring, rear risers, etc, that using your *front* riser may be the best way to get air into your cells. Can anyone comment on this? I'm not sure I would do it unless I really felt I had no other options. I've only had good luck with reserves, so I'm not an expert, and don't pay much attention to what I say. Please consult the manufacturer.

I keep thinking about ways that I can put 300 skydivers in perspective. Here's one. If Discovery gave just a 60 second interview with each skydiver, the program would be five hours long. That's a lot of people in the air at once. Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

Do we get to hear the story on the reserve ride? Or have you already posted it? Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

Winter fat. If you are diligent about working out and aren't opposed to taking concentrated supplements, look into creatine - I use the liquid form. More muscle, less fat, but you shouldn't take it unless you are committed to your workout program. Anyway, just wanted to comment on wing loading - you have a very good point that people often forget. Gaining/losing weight affects your wingloading the same as changing your canopy size. I'm 10 pounds heavier now than I normally am, and that has made an impact on my canopy performance. Fortunately, the colder (and denser) air of the winter does offset that to some degree (I think), plus I have a fairly large canopy (190), so the changes aren't drastic. But just the 5 pounds that people often gain or lose between weekends makes a difference. Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

I love it when you get all demanding like that. Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

3:5:0 A pretty good day for jumping yesterday, but a tad chilly. Cheers to Heather and Anthony (AFF1) for hanging out with a bunch of stupid drunk skydivers and having Margartias with us! Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

This should be part of every DZ waiver in the legalese. Something like: "I understand that skydiving will have a negative impact on my financial situation, up to and/or including bankruptcy, quitting my job and living at the dropzone, eating bread and water to save money for jumps and more." Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

Heehee. Yes, but if it's lubricated, the insertion should be much easier. Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

I definitely should've added that one to the list. Not really a body part, but probably the most relevant. Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

I think the key is lightening it first. You have to lighten with stuff made for color changes - I used Manic Panic Lightening formula (have to get it at beauty supply, not the grocery). Sorry to hear about your hearing. I lost my voice for a week to an hard opening and a strangling chest-strap last year. It's interesting the differnent ways you can get hurt in this sport, which is why I started this thread. Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

Which of your body parts has been most traumatized by jumping? For me, it's been my hair, but I'm still a youngster and I've been pretty lucky so far. Attached three files - the brown is my natural color. Last year I bleached it. And today ... well, see for yourself. Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

Here is a good explanation of integrity risers, why they started to become popular, and why they lost fashion: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=18285;search_string=integrity%20risers;#18285

You are right about the "point" of coaching, and I need to keep this in mind during the course, but my biggest concern is the jumps, because that's where I feel weakest of all the requirements. Also, I think that many students that come to me as a coach will expect me to be some sort of skygod because I'm a coach, and I think I need to impress on them, just like you do to me, that I'm not necessarily a great flyer and the important parts of skydiving are being safe, keeping separation, flying canopy with awareness, landing well and understanding what others expect of them. And so, on to the next question: About the number of coach jumps required for the ISP program. It looks like with USPA ISP that coaching is going to go on for categories E-H, with coach sign-off in categories F, G, H. This kind of implies that there should be at least three coach jumps to sign the students off, but whether three are required is nebulous. In the 2003 IRM Edition 2, page "Coach 7", Section 3, "Document Layout", Part B. "The A license Proficiency Card", Number 2.a.2., it states: "each category recommended to be completed prior to advancing to the next" Does this "recommended" mean that it is still my (as a coach) discretion about what to sign off for all the levels? In other words, I can, as a guideline, only sign off portions in category E, until category E is completed, then move on to category F, and only sign off portion in there until F is completed, and so on. But alternatively, it looks like it may be my discretion to sign off parts or all of category F, even though the student may not be done with category E yet. Is this correct? Or do I and other coaches need to only work in one category at a time? You can probably see where I'm going with this. If the students know that multiple parts can be signed off, there may be pressure to get more of the ISP signed off with fewer coach jumps. This may be reasonable if the student is a good all-around skydiver and they don't feel they can afford $75 each time for three coach jumps. But it may be a bad idea if the student is just trying to save money even if they need more coaching. These are the sorts of problems that are inherent in formalizing coaching and turning into something for profit.

More importantly, Peter, can you be both hot and unemployed? I think that works OK for women, but not men. I dunno. Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

Here's my favorite: "and **worming up** is important when exercising any part of the body." Talk about an unfortunate mis-spelling. Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

Embarrassing - hmm. Did a three-way that went fine and after I landed I was vaguely aware of a tight-itchy feeling on my cheek, but I paid it no mind 'cause I was getting my stuff together. During the informal after-jump chat near the van, one of the guys pointed out to me that I had a very large amount of snot on my face. They said they both watched it come out in free-fall and solidify on my face. (Damn - there should be a green puking icon for gross things like this). Nowadays, if anyone watches me after I land, you will always see me check my nose area to avoid further embarrassment. Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

Definately true - I love my tri. I would suggest for a newer person to get the tri if they want a good overall canopy. But if they don't mind spending more money, the Spectre opens a tiny bit softer (IMO), flares a tad better (IMO) and lands just a little better (IMO). It is much nicer packing my tri, though