PeteW

I crashed paragliding 7 years ago and compression fractured my L1. My doc said the next accident could be worse. My injury was nowhere as bad as yours thou. Since I returned to skydiving this yeah I promised myself I would stay conservative and be safe. But I'm a dad and husband now too. It's a tough call to make.

No it's not. I stood down from a load the other day whilst we were walking to the plane. When I told manifest they said "good call". Our dzo has told me a few times to get a wind check at altitude. If you feel it's too strong ride the plane down. I won't charge you.

Good job! I posed in here about a toggle that popped off. My canopy was flying straight and level so I landed it. Any bad behaviour and I would have cutaway.

That was my thought too. It was flying normal except for the trailing brake line and toggle in my hand.

It's great to know I can. Although I would rather not try it again lol. Everything was good at the time. I had altitude, clear mind, lots of traffic but it was manageable. The pattern was also luckily into the wind. Later that day an entire load landed downwind. And the spot was good. I agree thou if anything didn't feel good I would have chopped it for a flare able reserve.

The only thing I would have done differently than you is that I would have saved my arms for landing by using the still good left toggle to set up a left hand pattern, or at least avoiding turning right if the pattern was set. Lol I thought about that later. Sadly it was a right hand pattern.

Still curious what would you guys have done? Cutaway or landed on rears?

I totally own the decision to land on my rears. I did a controllability check as soon as it happened. Did three or four flares, and decided I could land safely. I had also practised using rears on all my previous flights. I also made no attempt to be a hero and stand it up. I totally ate shit/plf'd. I flared on landing just like I did up high. So no worries of a stall. I considered it a good flying canopy, steerable and able to land safely. I thought long and hard about cutting away but didn't find it necessary. I also don't think I lucked out and walked away. Although I'm happy I did walk away completely uninjured. It makes me want to practise canopy manoeuvres more.

Who installed those toggles? Funny enough I saw the previous owner at the boogie. He asked how I was liking the rig. He was shocked when I told him the toggle popped off. He said he jumped it that way for years.

For sure. Luckily the first two jumps I did hop n pops from 6500' and played around. Made my decision much easier.

I flew a solo 270 student rig and I'm 210lbs. One rig would open harder than the other. But when I purchased my own gear with a Safire 2 the bruises went away. It opens so nice and smooth!

Finally got my own gear, main is a Safire 2 210 loaded 1:1. I've jumped it six times and I knew the guy I bought it from. The main Dom is 07 but it's still crispy with 100 jumps on it. I had a great jump. Reached up to pop the brakes and the right toggle come off in my hand. I'll be honest I spent a second just staring at it. My first thought was nooooo. I contemplated chopping it, I was at 3000'. I did a quick controllability check and decided I could land it. I practise flared six times or so. I was also at a boogie with 19 other Canopies in the air. I found my arms getting sore from constantly using the rear risers. I purposely set up long to give my arms a rest before flare. I flared like I had practised. Found that I levelled out but couldn't flare enough to slow down. Slid on my feet for a bit then ate shit. Got up unharmed. A rigger came out right away and showed me the other toggle was installed wrong as well. It popped off easy. He showed me the correct way to attach them. I'm thankful our dzo and one of the coaches I worked with really drilled into me the importance of learning my new canopy. Luckily I had practised rear and front riser turns a lot. I feel what I did was correct for me and the gear I was flying. I'm curious thou, what would you have done? Cutaway or land it?

I only have just over 40 jumps but I have considered quitting numerous times. But I'm always drawn back. Between jump 36 and 37 I had 9 years. Even my last few jumps some are easy and some are terrifying.

Link goes to a survey about nurserys.

............. Agreed! I finally quit drinking when I realized how alcohol aggravated my insomnia. I sleep much better sober and was able to wake up in time for the (free) sunrise load. Bob and Judy Celaya were supportive of my sobriety and the rest of the jumpers were respectful. Free skydives are the best incentive to change behaviour! I am being to think that heavy drinking is a phase that most young men go through. Fortunately, their young bodies quickly recover from the damage. Sadly, a few get addicted to alcohol and continue that dangerous habit (heavy drinking) later in life, when their/our bodies heal slower or never heal from the chemical damage. I was the same. I am 37 now and drank heavily from 17-21. Luckily I found it boring after that and just go for the occasional bender.

Awesome to hear that it's helped you. Couldn't've put it better myself! It's been a huge help. I'm open and honest to anyone that will listen about anxiety and depression. I should also add that I have never smoked or done drugs. I drink occasionally but not very much. Drinking the last few years has really screwed me up. Even just a couple beers and I can't sleep.

Lol is that standard dz etiquette? It probably wouldn't be considered a foul... ....................................... Just do it in the middle of the student landing field! Hah! Hah! Ha ha wouldn't that freak out some newbies. Two more jumps today and the shakes are gone.

Great topic. I returned to skydiving to help deal with my anxiety and depression. It has definitely helped. But I crave it more and more. Addicted!??!?! I just feel happier when I am doing it. Partly the activity and partly the social scene. I just think it's good for the soul.

Such irresponsibility. Put a helmet on that baby lol.

Had a great jump on Saturday. Still had shakey hands after but it went away quicker. What an amazing sport thou.

I hadn't jumped for 9 years, but I was a paraglider 6 years ago. I did a clear and pull, then two jumps from 8500'. I did have my solo very and they cleared me off student status.

My third jump back from a 9 year break I did backflips. While slowly rotating I felt the same. Completely relaxed and at peace with the world. Funny thing is I have really bad anxiety and depression. Returning to skydiving has been the biggest help so far. I'm way less irritable, more patience with our son ect. It's a strange but wonderful feeling.

What a bunch of hosers eh.

Damn it still not available in Canada.

Lol is that standard dz etiquette?