yardhippie

I wrote this after this past weekend, and I'll be submitting it for our weekly newsletter that comes out of our DZ. We've had a couple incidents lately, and I felt like it never hurts to get a little reminder once in a while. Enjoy. So you’ve been skydiving for a few decades, years or only a few weeks. You’re probably jumping with your friends for much of that. I’ll bet you didn’t know you or someone you jump with may have some bad habits. Maybe just little ones that aren’t any big deal, like a little back slide, some orbiting, reaching for docks, or even going a little low. Are you aware of these habits? Have others told you of these habits? What are the potential dangers of these habits? Well as two jumpers experienced this past weekend getting low and under a formation can quickly end a weekend of skydiving. On a three-way freefly jump, jumper 1 was a little outside of the other two. When jumper 1 realized this, he drove into the formation. While making this move jumper 1 sank a little low. As the low jumper drove in and now a little low, he ended up under jumper 2. Always keeping his eyes on the formation jumper 1 accidentally ended up on his back with a slower fall rate than the other two jumpers. The difference in fall rate, and relative positions caused jumper 1 to impact with jumper 2, who was in a sit position, hyper-extending jumper 2’s shoulder. This now caused jumper 2 to become unstable while he tried to evaluate his altitude, seriousness of injury, and ability to continue. Knowing that Jumper 1 and 3 were still near, he regained some stability, but lacked the ability to effectively use his left arm. Also with tandems and students behind him, deployment could have potential catastrophic consequences. He then did the best he could to continue the fall rate associated with a freefly jump, and remain in the relative airspace of jumper 1 and 3 until break-off. Jumper 2 deployed normally and landed without incident. Jumper 1 was uninjured. The pain associated with his injury kept him from skydiving for the rest of the weekend. Luckily it was only a minor injury. What can we learn from this? Complacency can hurt or kill. Jumper 1 has over 1000 skydives and jumper 2 has over 700, these being made in the past 5 years. They have been jumping together for over a year making approximately 100 two ways within that year. Each are skilled freefliers, but this does not prevent accidents. So what went wrong? Making so many skydives together the two became complacent with the “little” bad habits they had. While if either had been on a skydive with another jumper who went low or was “out” of the formation there would have been some discussion. Don’t let the fact you jump with someone repeatedly every weekend allow you to become complacent. What if? There are plenty of what “ifs”. What if the jumper who was injured was on his head rather than in a sit? What if the injured jumper, who flies a highly loaded elliptical canopy, had a dislocated shoulder and had been forced to land with one arm? The idea we want to present to jumpers new and old is: do not let the small bad habits continue. This can happen in any discipline, not just freeflying! If you have video of your dive look at those great docks, and awesome formations but also the things that were not executed as they should have been. Note bad habits to others and to yourself. Just because you or another jumper has hundreds or thousands of skydives more than another, they can still make a mistake. Talk about it, listen to it, learn from it. If someone TALKS you about your flying, or canopy piloting or even packing, LISTEN to what they have to say. If you hear the same thing over and over, they may be right. It doesn’t mean they are right, and if you doubt their input, seek advice from your S&TA, or other source of information and LEARN why the comment was made. It doesn’t mean they are trying to be rude or bossy. Skydivers are a tight niche group. We look after each other. We care for each other. Those we care for, we want to protect. I’m ready for the next load, are you? Goddam dirty hippies piss me off! ~GFD "What do I get for closing your rig?" ~ me "Anything you want." ~ female skydiver Mohoso Rodriguez #865

Too bad I had to send my demo back to PD today. and my new one wont be here till Aug sometime. I could make a showing, especially if Kelly is floating in the pond! Goddam dirty hippies piss me off! ~GFD "What do I get for closing your rig?" ~ me "Anything you want." ~ female skydiver Mohoso Rodriguez #865

While I hate to see any DZ close. (I know I was bummed when my 1st home DZ closed) We're glad to have a good portion of you with us at our DZ now. Hopefully were doing a good job of making you guys feel "at home" as much as possible. Best of luck to you all! Goddam dirty hippies piss me off! ~GFD "What do I get for closing your rig?" ~ me "Anything you want." ~ female skydiver Mohoso Rodriguez #865

Dont listen to kelly she really likes it. Now, let me turn this camera on... and ok... pinch away! Goddam dirty hippies piss me off! ~GFD "What do I get for closing your rig?" ~ me "Anything you want." ~ female skydiver Mohoso Rodriguez #865

No. but I did stay at a holiday inn express last night. Goddam dirty hippies piss me off! ~GFD "What do I get for closing your rig?" ~ me "Anything you want." ~ female skydiver Mohoso Rodriguez #865

arent you a little late? You dont get two birthdays, and I'd say he had a pretty good one friday night! happy b-day! Goddam dirty hippies piss me off! ~GFD "What do I get for closing your rig?" ~ me "Anything you want." ~ female skydiver Mohoso Rodriguez #865

4 jumps~ quite the slow weekend for me. a full altitude hop-n-pop with a much more experienced Velo pilot to work on my slow flight, turns, and other stuff. an awsome 9 point two way head down dive. one awsome party! two gallons of rum, some jeager, some beer. and hangar full of hotties wearing grass skirts and coconut bras! I love my DZ! Goddam dirty hippies piss me off! ~GFD "What do I get for closing your rig?" ~ me "Anything you want." ~ female skydiver Mohoso Rodriguez #865

what do you think about AADs? Goddam dirty hippies piss me off! ~GFD "What do I get for closing your rig?" ~ me "Anything you want." ~ female skydiver Mohoso Rodriguez #865

WHAT!? YEA! Ok, so I know what you mean. I hate coming back from a trip and finding projects that aint mine on my desk. Although ususally im headed back out again so I just put them back on the person's desk who put it on mine. I'll do my work all day, but I aing doing nobody elses! Goddam dirty hippies piss me off! ~GFD "What do I get for closing your rig?" ~ me "Anything you want." ~ female skydiver Mohoso Rodriguez #865

No kel, tell us how you really feel? Goddam dirty hippies piss me off! ~GFD "What do I get for closing your rig?" ~ me "Anything you want." ~ female skydiver Mohoso Rodriguez #865

I do have an an awesome DD that sounds like Jen though, sounds like much fun was being had.

My boss is a tool. Goddam dirty hippies piss me off! ~GFD "What do I get for closing your rig?" ~ me "Anything you want." ~ female skydiver Mohoso Rodriguez #865

60% of the time it works every time! Goddam dirty hippies piss me off! ~GFD "What do I get for closing your rig?" ~ me "Anything you want." ~ female skydiver Mohoso Rodriguez #865

QuoteA warning lable??? yes, and it should read: Plays well with others. Danger: contents volitile! What the hell man?! Am I really that bad? Noooo, you dont scare me! So I will tell you how it is. well, Im waiting... And Clay beware Dynamite Comes in Small Packages!! Clay- she speaks with great wisdom my friend. Goddam dirty hippies piss me off! ~GFD "What do I get for closing your rig?" ~ me "Anything you want." ~ female skydiver Mohoso Rodriguez #865

Judging by the Flames and Smoke still emanating from my ass.. I would highly advise against such an endeavor. She is small but Fiesty!! I dont know that "fiesty" is the best description... shes hell on wheels... no matter how hot she is... she should definitely come with a warning label. Goddam dirty hippies piss me off! ~GFD "What do I get for closing your rig?" ~ me "Anything you want." ~ female skydiver Mohoso Rodriguez #865

too bad the mental part is the most difficult. Im not sure where I was but last monday I was hanging out with some friends, and I would have killed for a smoke. the kicker was I wasnt even drinking. doubling the pain is that ive been quit since nov 1, 2004. Goddam dirty hippies piss me off! ~GFD "What do I get for closing your rig?" ~ me "Anything you want." ~ female skydiver Mohoso Rodriguez #865

holy voyerism topman! Goddam dirty hippies piss me off! ~GFD "What do I get for closing your rig?" ~ me "Anything you want." ~ female skydiver Mohoso Rodriguez #865

I now see that.. Cold, I tell you. That girl is Cold. Shoot a Man down like that in front of EVERYONE.. No love at all. Pardon me.. I will be over here scraping up what is left of my ego and hinding in the corner for a while. We had a conversation about that last weekend. We decided that the poor bastard that took up with her wouldnt even know what hit him. she's a man eater I tell ya! look out boy she'll chew you up. ooooohh ooooh oooooohhhh oh-ohhhh Goddam dirty hippies piss me off! ~GFD "What do I get for closing your rig?" ~ me "Anything you want." ~ female skydiver Mohoso Rodriguez #865

all right! Krelly quit again. I say NO! You need no smokes. good luck. Goddam dirty hippies piss me off! ~GFD "What do I get for closing your rig?" ~ me "Anything you want." ~ female skydiver Mohoso Rodriguez #865

just cause you have a bazillion jumps doesnt mean you should be giving advice. ive seen jumps with 1k plus jumps and can barely land a canopy. but same as the low number jumpers, just cuz you have 'x' rating dont mean you have all the right answers either. as with ALL information related to ANY subject. do your research. Listen carefully. ASK lots of questions. Evaluate what you are told. the world is filled with ideas and opinions. whether those theyre right or wrong is often up to the perception of the those involved. I know I help lower number jumpers. I give advice once and a while. I try to assisist up and comers with video and drills. BUT, I am NOT a coach nor an expert. I relay this information to each individual I try to help. I merely do the best I can, as does the majority of the population. just my .02 Goddam dirty hippies piss me off! ~GFD "What do I get for closing your rig?" ~ me "Anything you want." ~ female skydiver Mohoso Rodriguez #865

apparently the "love" dont go that deep J! Goddam dirty hippies piss me off! ~GFD "What do I get for closing your rig?" ~ me "Anything you want." ~ female skydiver Mohoso Rodriguez #865

what? did someone call me? Goddam dirty hippies piss me off! ~GFD "What do I get for closing your rig?" ~ me "Anything you want." ~ female skydiver Mohoso Rodriguez #865

let help out the world population problem. say no to kids! Goddam dirty hippies piss me off! ~GFD "What do I get for closing your rig?" ~ me "Anything you want." ~ female skydiver Mohoso Rodriguez #865

1. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was your first thought? Im not shaving 2. What rhymes with the word "DUCK"? Cluck 3. Favorite planet? Earth, it keeps me alive. 4. Who is the 4th person on your missed call list on your mobile? I don’t miss calls, I avoid them. 5. What is your favorite ring tone on your phone? that one that goes beep beep be-beep 6. What shirt are you wearing? company logo polo 7. Do you "label" yourself? as a “dirty hippie” 8. Name the brand of shoes you're currently wearing? Ecco 9. What is the closest holiday to your birthday? july 4 10. Bright or Dark Room? dark, no one wants to see that. 11. What do you think about the person who took this survey before you? they’re wierd, but that’s ok, I like weird. 12. If you're in a room with two beds, which one do you sleep on? The one with the hot chicks on it. 13. What were you doing around midnight last night? sleeping 14. What did your last text message you received on your mobile say? You’re the stuff hippie! 15. How do you like your eggs? cooked 16. What's a word/words that you say a lot? fuck 17.Who told you he/she loved you last? my hottie 18. Last furry thing you touched? my dog 19. How many drugs have you done in the last three days? no comment 20. Do you love yourself? too much really, its starting to chafe now. 21. Favorite age you have been so far? 30, im loving it. 22. Your worst enemy? myself 23. What is your current desktop picture? Spruell Park near Thomaston, GA 24. What was the last thing you said to someone? Youre just in a mood aren’t you. 25. Least favorite color? baby shit green 26. The last song you listened to? a set performed at the Colorado PST party, performed my Eric Deren 27. Do you like someone? sure 28. If the last person you spoke to was about to get shot at, what would you do? tell them to duck 29. If you could punch 1 person in the face right now, who would it be? violence is not the answer 30. What is the closest object to your left foot? my sock Goddam dirty hippies piss me off! ~GFD "What do I get for closing your rig?" ~ me "Anything you want." ~ female skydiver Mohoso Rodriguez #865

It will be very painful for the vegetables. They won't feel it. how do you know what vegetables feel? Youre a turtle not a vegetable. Are you sure? last time I saw him he was walking and talking, very un-vegetable like. Goddam dirty hippies piss me off! ~GFD "What do I get for closing your rig?" ~ me "Anything you want." ~ female skydiver Mohoso Rodriguez #865