ZoneRat

How was your main connected to you? One end of the RSL is on the main riser RSL ring and the other is on a ring an inch away from the reserve pull pin. Surely the Reserve side RSL ring slipped off your cutaway cord. But... maybe not.... Do you know what it was hung on? Also, shouldn't emergency procedures be geared to protect in worse case scenarios? What if a storm front came in... I've seen it happen. Wind's were fine a minute ago... someone jumped out... now they're gusting like crazy, and that person's under canopy. Actually, I've seen it twice. The whole DZ goes apeshit. Thankfully, no one landed on a building... but they could've. What if the reserve popped out over the side of a building and caught an updraft? Hell, I don't know... But it seems to me that if you fly an RSL you should know when to disconnect it and why. And if you're not sure exactly why, one should follow the SIMS, and train your emergency procedures to prep for worst case events. Unless of course, the SIMS are wrong. In the case of your hung main, they weren't. “There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophies.”

Ah well... You'll get there. There's nothing that says you have to learn absolutely everything all right now. Keep working at it. It'll come.

Why you would want to disconnect your RSL in a two out situation? What's the point? you already have your reserve out.. Because the RSL is just something else the reserve can catch and hang on? Yeah. I'm not sure why they decided to put that in the SIM. There's a lot I don't know. But it seems to me that in a 2-out situation, the RSL bridal is disconnected (very probably) from the cuttaway cable and would just be sorta flapping about harmlessly- the other end connected to the RSL ring on the riser. Should it turn downplane and you cuttaway... I can't see the RSL strap being a problem, but I find it hard to visualize the cause and effect on this. I dunno. A rigger can answer it better, I think. Although you replied to my post, Lummy, I'm a bit out of my depth here. Just kinda goin' with the SIM's... “There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophies.”

Well. Maybe I'm wrong. Let's look at them. You're right about the high wind thing. The odds of your deployed reserve inflating and dragging you is pretty slim, I'd expect. Odds are you'd just look the fool. The SIMs do state to disconnect though. Water: Right. Don't cuttaway over water. But what if you've landed in running water? A river for example. Ocean waves. Best bet... You should already have the chestrap off by the the time you've landed, have loosened the legstraps and are swimming against the current out of the harness... but ya never know. Odd things happen. Again the SIM ask that you disconnect the RSL in case of some unforseen need to cuttaway. Buildings. Right. Probably it will just plop out. Again the SIM asks that you disconnect the RSL and cut. The 2-out scenerios. I've never heard of a complication either. It's hard to believe that the RSL strap could mess anything up. But again the SIM says disconnect. All that said, I tend to believe that RSL's are really good thing overall. And solve more problems than they typically create. I'd recommend them for all new jumpers. I also recommend that they follow the SIM guidelines for use. It's all risk management. Still... your reasoning is pretty solid. If an experienced jumper decides not to follow SIM rec's for disconnecting, I guess that doesn't bother me much. For that matter maybe the SIMS should be less picky about asking folk to disconnect... the risks are minimal, but the confusion is more. At the end of the day, it's always up to the individual to decide whats best and act. I have heard some Freeflyers claim that the exposed RSL bridal (where it connects to the rings) could catch air in head down causing a reserve premy. I don't know if thats true. But if so, that really would be a case where an RSL adds risk. I'd be interested to read some FF comments on that. Robin “There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophies.”

I find it calming. I pack first thing after the jump- I don't talk to people. I don't watch the tape. I think about the jump and I pack. Once done, I know it's ready and right. I know how tight my pin is and whether it's time to replace the closing loop. Too many times I've been hovering over a packer at a 2 minute call... teamates yelling at me to hurry to the mock up. Running to the plane threading my chest strap. Never again. That stress I do not need... and now, do not have. Angela, has someone showed you the trick about only putting two folds into the canopy, bagging it, then folding the rest in? Makes it a little easier. “There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophies.”

RSL's, by and large are not bad things, but they do complicate emergency procedures in some ways. High winds? remember to disconnect. Water landings? remember to disconnect. Landing on a building, gotta remember. 2 canopies out? remember... etc. Not saying you shouldn't have one. Do whatever you want. But adapt your thinking to allow for it. Don't forget it's there. “There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophies.”

Post: Is that just jumps, or is gear factored in? Yes...Very used gear. However, I failed to account for something equally important. Please add a grand to the Beginner & Novice levels, for Cases of Beer. “There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophies.”

Packing scared me more than jumping. I blew it off as long as I could. Oh, sure, I got through that one pack job for my A licence, but vowed to never pack again. Rationalization #1: "This is borrowed gear. What if it put a line burn in it?" Rationalization #2: "My new canopy is just too darn slippery to pack". Then I joined a team: "There's not enough time to de-brief, pre-brief, pack and make the load". Then I started to feel guilty. I was qualified for my "C" licence, but couldn't, in good conscience, apply for it. Plus, my friends wanted to visit smaller DZ's in the area that didn't have packers. I was too embarassed to go. How stupid is that? No. All REAL skydivers can pack. So I re-learned. Fed a buddy beer after beer to watch/ teach me to pack. Practiced every night for a while until I got comfortable with it. Since then I've packed every jump. Never looked back. I kinda even like it.

[tongue in cheek] $300.00 to $4,000... Beginner. $4,000 to $15,000... Novice. $15,000 to $30,000.... Intermediate. $30,000 +... Advanced... USD [/tongue in cheek] “There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophies.”

To my way of thinking it sorta depends on the alt where the premature deployment occured. If it's right out the door, you'll be long gone by the time the next jumpers get out. The biggest worry is getting hit by a plane. To avoid that it would seem to be best to spiral down to 6K. I don't know why 6k is a magic number, but our planes usually circle high pullers (planed) down to that alt. to protect them from plane traffic. If you premy at 7-6k then the worry of jumpers falling through your canopy would be a concern. That's where I'd think flying perpendicular to jump run would be a good idea. Not sure that it would create much separation owing the decent rate dif between the other jumpers and a canopy... but then again, it wouldn't take much to turn a lethal hit into a near miss... a few feet might be all you'd need. Dunno for sure. But those are the conclusions I came up with... “There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophies.”

How cool is THAT! Hey, I got some friends in that pic... Hmmm....What an awesome gift idea!

Carpe Nocturn via C-182! I did my first couple night jumps out a 182. I'd only jumped a 182 a few times prior to that. Better than the night jumps from the otter or caravan. The longer ride to alt gives you more time to enjoy the nightime lights 'n stars. Plus there's more excitement and comeraderie shared in the coziness of the 182. Additionally, I think it's a tad safer as fewer folk are in the air. Finally, night jump otter loads have to be so carefully planned and scripted... it tends to bring out the anal nazi in the LM's... While I understand it's needed, it takes some of the fun out of it for me. Naw, for future night jumps, I choose the 182. If unavailable, I choose beer instead. “There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophies.”

Hoop dive. Made it through and joined the round with three others. Ignored 1st 5k audible break-off alarm with the three other folk. (How stupid is THAT). Turned to track on second alarm set at 3k. 2 tracked right F'ing beside me. Like 25' away. One on each side just LOOKING at me. Pitched main (at the time a Spectre 170) when the Oh Shit alarm went off at 1750'. Snivelled through the Cypres hard deck (it starts ticking at about 1250' or so I've been told) and my reserve fired. I saddled at about 850'. Landed stable biplane off. It was on "Safety Day"... Never again. “There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophies.”

I don't intentionally brush anyone off at the DZ. I was just being flip on my earlier post. I'm not qualified to teach someone a hook turn setup, and wouldn’t try. (Certainly not while walking off the LZ to the hanger). I'd direct him to a qualified canopy pilot or instructor. There's plenty around where I jump. Now... let's say the scenario was different. Let's say we're sitting on a bench watching jumpers land, and Mr. Fresh A license starts asking me about swooping. I'd remind him that hook turns kill folk more than anything else. I'd remind him that skydiving is the only sport in the world that uses "femur" as a verb. Then I'd ask him to watch those hook set-ups closely. Those people are timing it down to the last second. What if a gust of wing catches them? What if they catch a burble off the hanger? What if a toggle slips from their hand or a legstrap slips in the buckle? What if that jumper catches a glimpse of color from the corner of his eye and gets distracted for a split second? What if he's tired and loses focus? What if anything ANYTHING goes wrong right then? What happens? They hit the ground at 80 mph. That's what happens. Imagine jumping off a motorcycle into a wall at 80 mph. That's the risk you take when learning to hook. When you watch 'em come in, watch their timing, and think about that. I'd ask him if he's ever heard the sound made when someone hits the earth hard enough to shatter their bones inside their body. It's a bad sound. Sickens your stomach to hear it. I'd tell him about the time this guy biffed in 50' away from the benches. He'd upsized to a canopy that was only 10' bigger than his usual. It threw his timing off. He didn't acount for the change of recovery arc. Femured bad. Femure, pelvis, almost paralyzed. His 9 year old son watched it happen. When he started to cry, well... it was hard not to cry too. Death is real. See that 540° hook setup that gal just did? That's the most likely way to get there. Right there. I got 350 jumps (that'll sound like a MILLION to Mr. Fresh A license... he doesn’t know how paltry that is...) you won't catch ME doin' that shit... I don't want my friends crying over MY broken body. I owe 'em better than that. Then I'd lighten it up...give him the good news. You don't need hook turns to surf. You can generate good speed in a controlled, safe, straight-in approach using front risers. Then I'd tell him how to incrementally dial that in. .... I'd keep my eye on him for a while... But that's just me. (jeesh... would ya look at that?!?... I really should wait until after my first cup of cofee before I start posting, huh...) “There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophies.”

Man... I found it REALLY hard studying for my C & D exams! Talk about the mind wandering. It'd take me 1/2 hr to get a 1/2 page through the study guides... I hit that daydream tree more times than George of the Jungle. “There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophies.”

Ah yes, young grahsshoppah... I will teach you to swoop as my sensai taught me... First you must snatch this pebble from my hand. Then you must walk across the peas barefoot leaving no trace... or peas stuck on those big feet of yours. Then you must catch a fly with some chopsticks Then you must wash and wax all the jump planes Then you must paint the hanger Then you must attend a canopy control class Then you must attend another canopy control class Then you must learn to rub your hands together really hard and fast until they're very hot and have the magic ability to heal all wounds... you'll need that. Then, and only then, young grahsshoppah, will you be ready to learn the mystic arts of swooping. Now, go get me a Red Bull... and be QUICK about it. “There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophies.”

Here's a proof is in the pudding example: Scroll down to the rookie division. ~Gravity Assist is a rookie team that trains. ~Pinky V is a team of rookie RW folk that doesn't train. ~Your Moma's Booties is a team consisting of very capable & advanced freefly folk that just wanted to improve their belly skills and have some fun. I think one did have a suit with grippers on it...well... leg grippers anyway. http://www.txsl.com/2003_meets.php Your Moma's Booties switched out the camera position for every jump. Being FF's they all had one. lol. I think it sorta shows that if you want to fly good enough to be able to turn points, FF doesn't help much. It might also indicate that FF's can have a better sense of fun when it comes to skydiving. “There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophies.”

Let's see..."Robin, Robin, what a sweet swoop!!!" Nope. Just can't seem to visualize that. lol. But here's a few handy sitting-in-front-of-my-computer-type-responces-to-keep-in-your-pocket for next time: 50 jumps-100 jumps: • Oh, that ol' thang? Heck. I jes land like dat when I don't care HOW I look. . • Sure, I can teach you. You signed a waiver, right? • Oh, I'm sorry. You cant swoop. Your feet are too big. No. Really! Look at my feet, now look at yours... see? Too big. Sorry. 500 jumps: • If time and money are no object, I can teach you anything. Come on in. I'll tell what to do while you pack my parachute. (btw... I'm on a load in 15). Robin “There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophies.”

btw...Skymick... I just noticed that I hijacked your thread... sorry 'bout that. “There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophies.”

We had a 8-way team camp last weekend. My performance was satisfactory, but I was disgusted at my body position. I could barely watch the tapes. My knees were a little down, my arms were too far out... ugly ugly ugly. I've gotten lazy. Later that day I was on a 32-way formation load. I was right in my slot, patiently waiting for those I were to dock on to make their grips and settle out... the second they did the fomation floated. Couldn't catch it. A couple others exceeded target fall rate as well. I can't stick with the position I'm flying, I can fly it ok at the level our teams are at now, but I can tell that it will become a limitation later on when things heat up. Not sure what I'm going to do. Nationals is coming quick and I'm uncertain that I should dink around too much with things just now. Sigh...I guess I'll just re-examine and tighten my box position for now and integrate some mantis theory post nationals in a tunnel camp. I'll ask my coaches. They're top FS folk (Marian Kramer/ Rick Duran from Rave). They'll know what to do. Thanks for the input, guys. I learned a few things.

The world can always use another medical practicioner. Important, wholesome work, that. Not suprising that she, being a paramedic in training thought that you should go into medicine too. A lot of people like medical shows. That's why they're on tv. I don't really hold with people being prophets... I tend to think they're just folk that really wish they were more than they actually are. She probably meant well. Just has a need to be something special. Or maybe she thought "Minority Report" was a really great movie... subconsciously wants to be a pre-cog. That said, the fact that it got you thinking might be an indicater that medicine does hold an interest for you. Kinda like when you shake a magic 8-ball. If it answers "No" or "Yes" and you find yourself shaking it a second time with the same question... well, that sorta tells you something doesn't it. Same thing here. She said medicine and your eyes lit up. No need to shake the ball a second time on that one! As for your financial aid coming in at the last moment: That was lucky! And you know what luck is doncha? It's when people take the laws of probability ~personally~. Prophet or not, it got ya thinking... and that's a good thing! Do what you thinks right for you and good "luck" in your classes! Just my 2 cents... Robin “There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophies.”

Excellent! If it's windy, which it shouldn't be... but if it is.. when trotting about after your canopy you can step on the PC bridal to keep your main from pulling you around. Sorta walk up the bridal and grab it where it connects to the canopy. Plus, your instructor might mention disconnecting the RSL for certain circumstances... “There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophies.”

Your list is a good one! When you're glancing at the clouds, it doesn't hurt to notice what altitude they are. I personally rely heavily upon ritual in my skydiving to keep me out of trouble. Upon arrival at the DZ, I turn on my cypress and do a thorough gear check... looking the whole thing over for problems. Top to bottom front then back. Including where the legstraps/ chest strap connects/ how frayed the little keeper cloth that secures the pin to the bridal is... plus all the rest. Prior to donning my rig, I do a main pin check. Everytime, everytime. When doing pin checks: • I look to see that the pin is well seated. • I look to see that the closing loop is not frayed. • I look to see that the bridal is properly routed. • I look to see that the PC is cocked. During taxi/ takeoff I re-zero my visual alti. Whenever I feel nervous going to altitude, I breath deeply, look at and: • Touch each leg strap buckle (right then left), • Look/ touch my chest handles (right then left), • Look/ touch my chest strap buckle, • Touch my hackey, • Touch/ push in my main closing cover. I don't touch my pin. I'll do this at least once and often several times to altitude. About 5 times I've caught my cutaway pillow folded beneath the harness strap. Eventually I hope that merely performing the exercise will invoke calm... as a mnemonic key. As I chat with the other divers on the load I'll sorta scan their gear... especially their chest strap buckles to make sure they look right. I've never caught a misrouted chest strap, but I've caught a few other things...One quite alarming. I was the hero on that load.

Lots of people experience that nervousness. Sometimes due to a lack of currency. Sometimes if they had a close call of some kind. Sometimes just because. It's very common and normal. But ya know, you were brave enough to skydive before. You are brave enough again. Might try this: Go and hang out at the DZ. don’t go to jump. Just go to hang out. Watch the canopies come in. Re-familiarize yourself with the sport and the people. See how it feels after a few hours... Also: There's a book called "Mental Training for Skydiving and Life". By John Derosalia $15.00 at Amazon.com. It has tons of info about controlling anxiety. How to recognize it. How to measure it, and techniques for controlling/ eliminating it. It's an easy read. Informal, to the point, and non-pretentiously written. Once you get in the air again, you might try "The Inner Game of Tennis". It's not so much about tennis as it is about how mental/ emotional aspects of sport affect intuitive learning. It talks about how internal dialogue effects anxiety and how anxiety effects learning and performance. Good luck and let us know how it goes! Robin “There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophies.”

A shirt collar can whip a nasty hicky onto your neck in freefall. “There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophies.”