Skydivesg

This is a response I posted to kallend's statement in another thread. ****************************************** " a lot of skydivers, even experienced ones, suck at tracking. " ****************************************** I would have to agree with the above statement. Our sport has coaching and "camps" for just about everything, other than the one skill that could and does save our life on any jump with more than two people. TRACKING At my home DZ a friend of mine and I help out on Safety Day and we spend a good amount of time talking about and teaching how to properly turn out from a formation and then the finer points of tracking. This includes pictures and video of good and bad tracking. I also go up with people (when asked) and watch and film them while tracking). And then debrief. I only do this if they are willing to spend the entire jump working on tracking. Seldom a weekend goes by where I'm not talking one-on-one with someone about tracking. Often it's over a beer on the deck or at the fire. For those of you who think you could improve your tracking skills, I challenge you to seek out someone you trust to have good skills and ask for help. Then shut up and listen for as long as he or she is willing to talk. When I see someone who has a kick ass track, I still go up to them and ask them to tell me about their technique. I then shut up and listen. It's amazing what you can learn while your not talking. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

I have to say that organizing these kinds of meets is a ton of work. I've been organizing the NPSL for ten years. Let me just say, it only works when the director is in love with the discipline and has a desire to help it grow. It would be easy for him to say "Oh, I'm not going to make this meet because my leg is hurting, someone else can take over for me." Kudos to Al. Maybe a handle of the "Captain" is in order. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

Helmets- you can get good protection, attractive, and comfortable. Pick any two Or maybe its attractive, comfortable and cheap. Either way, every helmet is a compromise. ****************************************** I would have to say that Cookie is in the process of changing all that. Especially with his new flip up, which will be available later this year. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

I seldom get fogging issues unless I fall into very humid air from cooler air at the bottom of the skydive. I use a lens cap all the time while on the ground. I take it off as I'm getting geared up. I never use a cap in the plane. And I have never used a condom. Bare back all the way, baby. But I digress. I also had to dry out my camera once a couple of years ago. I took the lens off and opened up everything I could on the camera (flaps, protective covers, battery compartments etc) and then set it about 18 inches away from the front of a blow dryer (hair dryer). I set the dryer on low heat and low air and let it blow gently on the camera for about 20 minutes. I've never had any problem since. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

You're in auto sales. What's the best way to find the right car for someone? Start test driving cars. You first have to decide if you want a hard top (full face) or a convertible (open face) or one that you can put the top up and down (full face flip-up). Then ask people to let you look at their helmets and try them on. Ask what they like and dislike. You'll quickly narrow it down. Then go to a DZ with a gear store and try many of them on. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

I'm sure Nick is very happy......... now that his "sqeeze" is there. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

Wow ....... nice. I have the toggles by UPT with the fabric finger on the top and the straight pin on the bottom. And I'm very careful how I stow my brakes and the excess steering line. I think I'd be hard pressed to end up with your ball of crap. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

"So why are we returning the tent for a refund today Mr. Customer?" "Well, it's all wet and muddy and it smells like beer." "Oh my ..... we can't have that now can we. Here's your $75.00 back." Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

I wasn't asking for the benfit of the individual jumper. I've heard that the feds will be more proactive in checking jump operations since that scathing report by the NTSB last year. I'm just wondering how many DZs have experienced it first hand this year. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

I know the FAA visited a couple of west coast DZs over the weekend. I'm just wondering if any other DZ's around the country have been checked since the first of the year. Bueller?? Bueller? Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

You would be well served to call this person and ask her everything you want. Sherry@fireflysuits.com (515) 280-6691 She makes one of the best suits in the world. And she will be happy to educate you about many things, including fabic choice. Look at any skydiving magazine published in the last 10 years and you would be hard pressed to find one without a picture of someone wearing her suit. The great thing is she won't put any pressure on you to order anything. Tell her Sandy told you to call. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

We use Bev suits on everyone unless they request no suit. We warn them of the downsides. The suits are colored based on size. We like to have the outside leg grippers on the suits. We instruct them to grab the gripper and use it to help hold their legs up on landing. Works great. Many, if not most can not hold the legs up for any length of time without assistance. Using the grippers, they can hold them up for a cuple of minutes. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

So how about it DSE or others who have first hand info on the CX550. Is it good for skydiving use and is it better quality? Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

I've noticed on some ebay ads that the CX100 is bundled with cables like RCA and Component. Can you plug a cable into the camera and record directly to a DVD recorder without going through the capture process of the computer? No editing just a direct burn, avoiding the use of a computer? Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

timmyfitz, you're waisting your typing skills my friend. Some people have so much arrogance that they think they can teach anything to anyone regardless of physical and mental ability. I certaintly would not want them working on my DZ. We don't always get to hear about the students who left the sport not because they died but because they got hurt, really bad. We certaintly aren't going to read on this forum from the instructor who just insisted they could teach anyone anything. I've always wondered how many people our sport has maimed over the years. Especially the ones who were hand held during the initial training and then moved on to some other area or DZ and hurt themselves. That's one thing Jim Crouch has been frustrated about, the lack of reporting of serious injuries. But hey, were not responsible right? Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

1973........... 11 total. 28' double L Made 80 jumps on that same canopy before getting a PC and I have the ankles to prove it. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

When I still had all my ratings (back in the day), I trained a group for S/L. One small young girl could not release the capewells to cutaway. I worked with her all day even during the lunch break. She just didn't have the physical strength to handle the EPs. She could cutaway one side using both hands and all her effort but then didn't have enough strength to handle the other side. I had to tell her that I couldn't let her jump. She was pretty upset and so was her family after sitting there all day waiting. But I still slept well that night. Sometimes you have to man up and tell people, not what they want to hear, but what they need to hear. While I agree some instructors are better at getting through to people than others I don't agree that a good instructor can train someone with poor physical fitness or lacking mental acuity. Regardless of how good our equipment gets, there are still times where quick decisions and actions are needed in our sport to survive. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

Seriously, you need to call Nick next week and ask him. He loves explaining why. (386) 738-2224 ask for tour Nick (aka Junior with a soft "J") Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

Are we sure this thread wasn't started to help promote the latest advertiser located on the banner of this forum? *************************** Cat Urine Behavior problems? Products and advice that really work at CatFaeries.com www.CatFaeries.com Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

Did you know that "red" canopies pack bigger and fly slower? Just ask Nick at PD. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

Hmmm........... I've got a feeling there is soon to be a canopy for sale. All buyers use caution....... Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

Great post. It's nice to have a new jumper's fresh perspective. All of your advice is spot on. (just make sure any meds taken during skydiving don't impede your reaction time or make you drowsy) Nice job and welcome to skydiving. Your life will never be the same. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

You'll need much more than just a head start.............. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

Lippi is right about saving your contacts in your mouth. I've been doing it for years when I have to wear goggles. I only wear goggles when I'm filming tandems otherwise I wear a flip up full face. I'm very particular about the lenses I put in front of my eyes. I hate anything that distorts my vision which most goggles do. That's why I like the flip up. It goes up just as soon as possible. However I have found some goggles that are pretty dark and don't distort. They look very much like sunglasses and have have a wide strap around the back. When I snug them down I never loose my contacts. I highly recommend them and they're only $13.00. www.I-gogs.com There web site is under construction but you can get there phone number. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

Does the number of pixels affect the shot speed on a camera such as the Canon G10? In other words if I shoot 14 megapixels instead of 9 will the camera take more time between shots? I'm using a class 6 card. Will a class 10 make any difference with this camera? Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.