GD64

Coat, first some qualifiers about myself, NOT current, NOT an instructor. My opinion is you need to find away to get fear to "manageable levels". Everyone is different on what is manageable. Look at the good in some of your thoughts.......you're constantly thinking of malfunctions. That's a GOOD thing, so tweak you're thinking slightly by thinking you will do the right thing when it happens. This can be totally reinforced by practicing them in front of a instructor you trust and keep that procedure going on your own with an occasional "look see" by said instructor. You have the visualization part down, but now you can see yourself (in your own minds eye) of doing it properly just like you practiced. That exercise should take your fear level down a notch or two. The whole time I was active, I practiced emergency procedures in the harness (a lot of times with no one around......I wanted to focus with out the inevitable jokes from fellow jumpers. Active jumpers face fear all the time. Or as I call it "a heighten sense of intensity". There are millions of examples from hundreds of thousands of jumpers both active and inactive. When you hear these stories you can sort out what they did right (save that thought) and what they did wrong.....learn from it, but discard once learned....... sort of throw away negative reinforcement. As far as things like your family coping on your death....maybe putting something on paper (not necessary legal BS), how you want your private property distributed, or just basic thoughts about the individuals you care about could help overcome your anxiety. I'm just throwing out thoughts here as I never worried about that aspect of the sport. Yes, I suppose that's selfish. As far as the "hanging at the DZ" part, and not wanting to be a burden and all..........EVERY DZ large or small needs an extra hand from time to time. Picking up out jumpers....bad spot or winds, riggers can literally use a extra hand or a extra set of eyes, and there is always a phone ringing, etc., get active and the "burden and all" mindset goes away. No one wants to be around "a Debbie Downer", getting active also helps to thicken your outer skin.......something you will need around jumpers. The laughs and humor (some of it dark) will be your reward. I have to run to a job site, however, try some of this .02 advice. Work your way through it, because it will carry over to daily non-jump life and the rewards there are forever. A good and trusted instructor, a mentor (an experienced jumper you "click" with) can be invaluable on your adventure. Be Well.

Hey, that guy that wears the bison horns and skin in that 100 degree heat could keep most bears at bay......except maybe grizz.

Whoa.......bear stew and you're the dish.

Sounds like "The Herd" 10 man speed star team, only at a FL hotel. "Those ain't Baby Ruth's floating".......Rodney Dangerfield (I think)

"What difference at this point does it make" in her hysterical screech.

Hickenlooper is a lying POS. Magpul(IMO, superior products), leaving and taking hundreds of jobs to another state along with CO's loss of millions in taxable income did not go unnoticed. Just another case of a statist who is smarter than his constituents. Also a very poor liar.

Sweet!

I could get down with that

I am NOT current, but do have a comeback plan in motion so equipment research has been in the works and fun! A lightweight form fitting (maybe some form of injection molding machine based on the users head shape scanned by computer)......to get a carbon fiber helmet (F1, Indy Car, Le Mans drivers use carbon fiber). Even though carbon fiber is laid-up and not injection molded, perhaps a new process to get same or better end results. JeffCa mentioned protect dental work. A little story here, and I'll try to keep it short. One upon a time long ago I was playing hockey and got hit with a slap shot. My face exploded with the impact....multiple fractured upper jaw, three teeth knocked completely out with two others broken in half and, twenty-six stiches in my lower lip. Then years later while on a night formation dive a Brit (Brian are you out there?) punched the formation in with too much horizontal heat. He was wearing a helmet and hit me in the face. I was double gripped with no way to protect myself as his helmet hit me EGGZACTLY where I was previously injured. Broke my upper jaw in multiple places and busted out three false teeth that were drilled into my upper jaw by attaching them to posts. We stabilized the formation and everyone got in. I was a little out of it and had a very short canopy ride that night. By the time I got back to DZ one eye was completely swollen shut and the other on it's way. The boy's had some pain killers, but it was really hard to get any kind of a seal around my mouth to drink the celebratory beer

Not addressing your question, but commenting about LLC's from my business experience. Minimal, if any protection in lawsuits. Main reasons I see..... Bias judges who use their power in court to engineer outcomes. "The law be dammed". Another reason.....you can only throw out so many potential jurors. Jeeez....."a jury of your peers".....you have to be bullshitting me! Some are sleeping, some don't understand English let alone math, economics, (usually factors in lawsuits). I believe a justice system of trained professional jurors would be better (their full-time job). Then there is the lawyer aspect...... Out of respect for Andy (whom I've never met, and any other lawyer on the forum), I'll pass on commenting. Bottom line for me is LLC's and Corp's are pierced with ease. My company uses" big city" experienced five-hundred dollar an hour litigators, but if any of the above factors mentioned come into play, you will have a serious financial decision to make. Roll the dice and appeal, or pay the "blood money" (even when 100% innocent) and move on........not easy to do. Just my .02 worth.

Welcome back to the world!

Yes, funny, even after the things I said about it (Starlite)....I loved mine too.

Fellow Starlite owner here. Made about 800 jumps on one. I liked the fact they packed up a lot smaller than a traditional PC. But damn, openings really thumped me. I would sit up and tuck my chin to chest knowing what was coming....bruised thighs and or the wind getting knocked out of me. Blew panels out of it on about 4 separate occasions and cut it away. The last time when it went back to factory for repairs they installed what was called (OSI strap......I think that's what it was called.....foggy memory). Basically, a wide strap that held the lines together for a short time and unwrapped, slowing openings down. BUT sometime the damn thing would just streamer as I would be trying to spread the risers to help it(or so I thought). As a low opener back in the day, I always put on a good show at the DZ. It was the largest DZ in the country at the time and no one wanted to buy a Starlite after watching me. I did make the cover of the local phone book doing a stand-up in packing area with it (rainbow colored canopy). I guess your mention of a Starlite had me drifting into memory Ville....thanks

Rounds pound.......600 hundred or so jumps on old military surplus canopy. Great canopy for humming it :) However, it sucked in the wind.

a meticulous pack job and make sure all your gear is tight......an old military expression for checked and re-checked and checked again. As a number of people have mentioned protect your and everyone else's night vision. Don't be the asshole in the aircraft that has a bright lite go off by accident. I've seen jumpers almost come to blows over this.....especially when doing night big ways. I can't comment on helmet lights since I didn't wear one (helmet), however I did wear a small mag light around my neck on a lanyard under jumpsuit to check canopy. Consider the source er my two cents worth. I'm NOT current, but I do have a few night jumps, and was in a night formation world record years ago. I love night dives. Have fun and "welcome to the dark side" :)

I can relate as I am near the border and there are piles of snow in the yard with the large lake out front covered in ice. Fishing opener is this weekend and for the second year in a row it's ice fishing or not at all. Global warming sounds go to me right now.

I see your points. We may lean slightly different directions, but want the same thing......no innocents hurt or worse.

I believe in the free market. He can sell whatever he wants. If works for him great. If not, that's business.

Jeeez, is there a anti-personal responsibility campaign going on here? I know these are different times but some people do a damn good job of parenting! FYI...grew up in family of 10 kids and the gun cabinet was full with ammo stored in unlocked bottom drawer. Since we were ranchers/farmers there were firearms on tractors, in pick-up's (varmints, and to deal with badly injured livestock). Not one of my brothers and sisters touched a firearm without permission and/or supervision. Same goes for neighbors kids (also large families). We don't know each other, but maybe you are showing a little anti-gun bias? or not?

So you hear "bump" in the night at your family residence, you grab the equalizer and the armed bad guys are inside your perimeter moving toward you and your family. You attempt to "double tap" the nearest threat.....a "no fire" your "smart weapon" has been hacked/electronically jammed and YOU are "double tapped" and your FAMILY...................... A Stupid Fucking Idea!!

17 Years ago Clinton and Gore invited all the talking heads to the WH and told them that they should report more on this "global cooling". When the newspaper (WP or NYT) reported on the meeting, they described the tv people as" mostly white and shorter then they appear onscreen." Apparently a bit of a rivalry back then History repeating itself only some of the names have been changed to protect the profiteers. For these politico's it's all about the "Benjamin's". Nothing more, nothing less! Now top those tanks with Jet A-1, and lets go to LA for a burger.

+1

Can't have those militia book clubs gathering to often. Someone could get a serious paper cut.

+1 Oh, Craddock.......you seem like a smart guy.......that electric clothing can feel toasty from time to time.....yes