Speer

Sled14, Not sure if you're asking me or the original poster, but I did not have LASIK. I had PRK, and will likely have PRK again if I have any touch up correction done in the future. It is similar to LASIK, but there is no flap. Reshaping of the eye is done from the surface down. It does not have to go as deep into the eye tissue to obtain the same results as LASIK, and there are no concerns about the flap becoming dislodged due to accident or "high speed air". A downside to PRK is the moderate discomfort for a day or two, and your vision is a little blurry for a couple days (mine was not much worse than pre surgery). I was conscious during the procedure, but experienced no discomfort. I certainly recommend you study all your options prior to getting a procedure done... LASIK is what is pushed currently, but there may be better options for skydivers... Get educated, and good luck! Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

Thanks for the update Matt. I may have misunderstood which groups were restricted to PRK... of course I had mine in '97, and LASIK was still fairly new, so the views on LASIK have no doubt matured since then. If you had a choice, what did you see as the benefit of LASIK over PRK? Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

Nate, There are probably thousands of people who have had LASIK and apparently jump safely... your goal should be to do the same. I had PRK a few years back, chosen on the basis of belief that any other vision correction surgery had additional risks that were not as compatible as PRK for jumping... rightly or wrongly. I'm a little surprised by Matthew's response (or just behind the times) as I was told that it was a DoD mandate that no aircrew or jump qualified personnel receive any vision correction surgery other than PRK. The stated issue is the one of corneal flap healing (or lack therof) and the possibility that the flap could become dislodged by excessive wind in the event of goggle or face shield loss during freefall or ejection. The risk to you is probably more than you are aware of, so a little education is probably in order. A search here on DZ.com will shed a little light on the subject, but I have a better suggestion... Your doctor may have an excellent reason, beyond disdain for skydiving, for a longer "time out" than you would like... it is after all your vision that is on the line. If it were I, a frank discussion about the reasons for refraining from jumping would ensue. The bottom line is that you should get your information from your doctor, not those of us who have had laser eye surgery here on DZ.com... Tell the doctor you fear their instruction to not jump is based more on their feeling that skydiving in unnecessarily risky, rather than sound eye care concerns; then ask for them to explain why you're wrong. It is possible you'll receive an answer that make you want to obey their instruction... Blue Skies, and safe jumping, Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

Skydive San Diego is open on Fridays... and every other day of the week... but they do not accept "Skyride" certificates. Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

Skydive San Diego does not accept "Skyride" certificates... Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

Wish I could be there today... Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

Our DZ has both a civilian operation, and a military free fall school that often alternate loads. This certainly not a routine, but hilarious when it happened... We're waiting on the call, and there are three jumpers in basic MFF course turning onto final on their first jump with rucks. The TM says to his tandem; "Here come three Tandems in for landing now... watch how the TM lowers his student down with a lanyard prior to landing". About that time, the first jumper releases his ruck sack... however, the lanyard had not been properly connected, and the ruck tumbled approx. 100 feet to the ground. The student was in shock, and I thought the TM was going to bite his tongue off as he rapidly tried to explain what had really just occurred. Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

Agreed. I just don't understand the fixation on speculation as an evil to be avoided at all costs... I do understand that the people involved in this incident do not want the incident itself miscast by wrongly assigned "facts". I can wait for the promised info to come regarding this unfortunate incident (SDR fatality). Waiting to cohesively assemble the witness accounts and observed evidence is perfectly fine with me... but if there are circumstances that are unclear, or have safety ramifications for other jumpers that shouldn't be delayed, speculate away! Clearly state that speculation is to follow, then proceed to discuss possibilities... I see that as a permissible use of any type forum that is intended to educate. As has been indicated numerous times before, when lessons are written in blood, we shouldn't be put off by the pain involved, but owe it to the living, and the deceased, to maximize the value of the lesson... Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

Skydive San Diego. $18 during the week, usually the Caravan. $20 on weekends, usually the Otter. Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

Having been in & out of nasty, hot, trying circumstances... I'll never discount the divine intervention thing! I agree that having forgiving equipment (apparently in this case the big FC 370) is always in the plus column, sometimes the Big Guy just has further plans for you down the line... In any case, not relying on "Divine Intervention", electronic devices, or any other gizmos should never take precedence over following the "plan". If the trooper in question was experienced, and just taking part in a hollywood jump, he should be shaken like a rag doll to get the cobwebs out. Ain't it the truth?... Mr Murphy has the best shot at you when you think it's an easy score... Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

Congratulations Kelly! Having shared the air with my son (and a tandem by my youngest daughter), I understand your pride. I wish you many years of Blue Skies and great family togetherness in the air. Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

But they did imply a single sized block! That's why I left off the 396, 427, 454, and the oddball 409. ...or 348 which preceded the 409. Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

I couldn't tell you within a millenium, let alone a month or two... no one knows except for the "Father" as Jesus said. But I think it's gonna be pretty soon... Sorry Bill, never intended my flip comment about the upwards jump to hijack Mr. Coles thread... Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

Caveat as a preface to response: It is unrealistic to dogmatic about everything written in Revelation, however, I have arrived at my current beliefs about the future after an evolving understanding about what I think the scriptures say...YMMV. -Russ This group is definitely Jewish... and sealed to God as servants on Earth during the Tribulation, as the four angels are restrained from causing harm till the 144,000 are sealed to protect them... I think the scriptures bear out that the 144,000 mentioned in Rev 14 are in fact a different group, not the same as those of Rev 7. I added the bold section as it is in the passage, and calls out one of the differences in the two groups... A second major difference is that the Rev 7 group are patently Jewish, the Rev 14 group is noted as being redeemed out of the earth, not just the Jewish nation. Further, the Rev 7 group are obviously on the earth, while the Rev 14 group have to be in Heaven if you subscribe to the pre-trib, pre-millenial time frame (as I obviously do), since Jesus is with them in this passage, on the Mount of Zion, during the middle of the Tribulation. Well, I believe that the "New Heaven and Earth" as well as the "New Jerusalem" are in fact the "Heaven" we refer to as the eternal place of bliss for those who will spend eternity with God. Revelation 21:22-24 make clear that God and Jesus are the only temple in the city, and they are the light of the city, and will abide there with the inhabitants. Rev 21:24-26 go on to say that the gates will never shut, and there will be no darkness. As for who is allowed to enter... those whose names are written in the "Lambs book of Life" (Rev 21:27). If you take that to mean those who are redeemed, from ancient times to the millenial age, it will exclude only those who reject God, and his offer of redemption through the sacrifice of his son. (Italics immediately above mine) Name has to be in the "Lambs book of life". The name of every human who ever lived is written in the book of life. The scripture indicates that only those whose name is also written in the Lambs book of Life will enter the eternal state, as redeemed humans, in the presence of God. And you are completely right about earth being a totally different place... no seas, and some argue that in Rev 21:5, Gods statement that "I am making everything new" indicate that he will open additional dimensions or an existence that we have little or no chance of understanding now. As I indicated, I believe all who enter the eternal state as redeemed will have equal access. *** >Holy Smokers... theology on DZ.com... but it is a type of jump after all. Four years of scripture classes will do that to people. Yes, once again I am impressed by the breadth of your knowledge. Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

Yes, you are correct that the city coming down to Earth is in the plan... but it is generally held to be two distinct events, separated by at least 1007 years. The "Rapture" as the "Jump" to altitude at the beginning of the Tribulation, and the Holy City coming down out of Heaven over a thousand years later to the New Heaven and Earth for the future eternity. I do not agree that only 144,000 people will be allowed in... can't find that anywhere in the bible. There are two sets of 144,000 mentioned; the witnesses on earth (all Jews, 12,000 from each of the twelve tribes, and an additional 144,000 who are witnesses in heaven and not specifically identified. Holy Smokers... theology on DZ.com... but it is a type of jump after all. Mr. Cole and I traded PMs some time back on this subject, and I do look forward to the eventual 180 deg. "Jump" with him. Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

Yes, likely up; that is the generally held interpretation... " "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words." 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18". Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

I suspect that will be my first jump with Mr Cole... Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

I also had PRK. PRK is essentially the same procedure as LASIK for reshaping the eye, but there is no incision or flap. In PRK, the top layer of skin is ablated away by the laser, the the surface is reshaped. It then takes a couple days for the skin the regrow over the treated area. A major benefit to PRK is that the treated area of the eye is not nearly so deep, and there is no incision to heal. But as Mike said, there is a little more discomfort, but I will gladly have it done again without reservation. The US Dept of Defense will not allow any procedure other than PRK for aircrew or jump qualified positions. The reason for that ruling is the extreme amount of time that the flap on LASIK sculpted eyes remains "unhealed". There are some surgeons who maintain that it will never really become completely secure. I was reading a statement from a LASIK surgeon a few days ago who had just performed a touch up procedure on one of his patients. At 29 months after the original procedure, he was still able to dislodge the original flap, allowing him to perform the touch up without having to make an incision for a new flap. None of this apparently presents a grave threat to most people, but bear in mind that extreme conditions like we encounter in skydiving MAY dislodge the flap. Ensuring you have goggles or other dependable eye protection would seem to be imperative for skydivers who have had LASIK. For those considering laser vision correction, I would strongly recommend that you get info on ALL the available procedures. LASIK is the "darling" procedure now, and everyone is being steered toward it, but there are alternatives that may be a much better choice for you. PRK is certainly available (even though many surgeons will say it is "Old Fashioned"), especially near military installations due to the DoD requirements. Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

...actually, a source I find to be very reliable indicates that both Enoch and Elijah survived this life...but they may be coming back to finish that according to some... Now, back on topic. I have been right at the maximum, but am slightly below it now due to advancing jump numbers. By the very act of participating in this sport, the participant usually must have a nature which can supply the confidence and bravado that allows them to continue. In my experience, youth tends to serve up more bravado than confidence... at least it did for me. It was always a hard sell for instructors to convince me to take time to slow down and learn to do things extremely well before building on the foundation. As many of the more experienced people in this sport have lamented, all the young hot shots believe themselves to be the exception. The more empathetic among the experienced are pained by the suffering they see about to occur... and many others feel threatened by the inevitable consequences of the injury and death in our midst. Society is moving ever more rapidly towards mandated protection of fools... and want to make things foolproof, unfortunately, we fools have proven to be rather ingenious. Our love of personal freedom leads us to reject any restriction; our lack of honest self evaluation make some restriction virtually mandatory. Our individual views on the wingloading topic reminds me of the old George Carlin routine... "Have you ever noticed how anyone driving slower than you is an absolute MORON, and the ones driving faster are F%&king MANIACS!" ...or something to that effect. As a newbie in skydiving, but very experienced in life, PLEASE listen to the wize old geezers who try to educate and counsel you in this sport. There will be plenty of time to advance... only if you survive... he sighs, knowing from his own personal behaviour that impatience and arrogance will likely prove too strong to subdue... Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

...two world class DZ's significantly closer, but I gladly drive 132 mi each way to jump at Skydive San Diego. Takes approx. 2 hrs. I started there on the advice of friends, and since I don't get to jump a lot, I like doing so at "home". Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

High top boots will not ensure that your Talus remains injury free, in fact, the Talus is more often the recipient of compression fracture (the downward impact) than damage due to a wrenching motion...he sighs knowingly. A fractured Talus is not all that uncommon for troopers who try to stand up a landing under a round... while wearing much more supportive footwear than your high top Sketchers... While protective equipment is a good idea in any endeavor, it is not proper to focus on that aspect, in favor of sound judgement and skill set development; which would seem a preferable course, and more likely to avoid the painful first hand experience you seem to have developed a penchant for. Skydiving is a contact sport... minimizing the severity of contact will likely lengthen your ability to continue actively in it. I've lived on both sides of my signature line, and know where I'd rather be... how about you? Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

I live in Ontario (near both Perris and Elsinore), and the weather is not bad, but can be "spotty" in the winter months. Still, it is much better than much of the country. There are a number of DZs in Southern California, and if you're goint to be here a couple months, you ought to try several. I jump at Skydive San Diego, and to the North, there is Taft, Cal City, and Santa Barbara. Enjoy your trip. Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

Cayce, You're doing fine, and showing a good understanding of the jump environment for someone brand new, so don't sweat not thinking about your position relative to the DZ. Don't get me wrong, it is very important, but at this point, your jumpmasters will pre-plan that, as evidenced by the go around. As far as being over high hills, you generally have to be quite north or south of jump run to lose significant usable altitude, but it's great that you recognize the potential hazard! You'll get a better handle on that with more jumps, as you begin to understand the effects of the "uppers" (upper winds that move you along their path). My comment about pre-planning for an off DZ landing were aimed at the possibility for you to be over the lake, and low after a malfunction / cutaway. As a student who will be pulling high, that is more likely. While the lake and surrounding hills can be intimidating, the relatively flat shoreline (in areas) can be pretty good "outs". Remember, as I'm sure was covered in your first jump course, ensuring you have a safe place to land is the next highest priority after pulling. So if you ever find yourself low, don't get suckered into trying for the DZ, if there is ANY POSSIBILITY that you do not have sufficient altitude to make it back there. Having a chat with your instructors about what to do if you need to land "out", would not be inappropriate now. Again, congratulations on the job well done, and to the instructors who helped prepare you. Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

If you're going head down, you may be "cheating" on your left hand reach forward... I do that occasionally. You have received some good advice here, from much more experienced skydivers than me, BUT, make sure you discuss ANY change you decide to make with your instructors! May I suggest you slow down your wave off and throw? Sometimes making a conscious decision to do something just a little different can help you follow a desired course of action, instead of repeating a mistake that is becoming habit. I used this technique while roadracing motorcycles after a nasty high side accident, when a pernicious tendency to start my turns early became a problem. If your instructors think it might help, you might try starting your wave off a little early, then going just a little slower through the proper motions of drawing the pilot chute out to full arm extension before release. Ask your instructors to describe each move they want you to make as you wave off and throw your pilot chute. When you make your next jump, try not to rush, and concentrate on on deliberately going through each step, as directed by your instructors. In any case, no one is born knowing this stuff, you have to build "muscle memory", and learn by feel, with input from your teachers. Have fun, and smile! Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?

JP No, we were able to watch the main... I just left out details in the interest of brevity. After cutting away, the main deployed partially. Main & freebag / pilot chute were in one big heap. He kept the handles also. Didn't have to hike too far either, although I did get one of the local rattlesnakes rather perturbed. Russ Generally, it is your choice; will your life serve as an example... or a warning?