Ron

So you will jump without one? This says otherwise : Not jumping without one, but you will jump with one does infact mean you rely on it. Without it you would not jump. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Nope. If you need one to jump your rely on it to do an act. Simple litmus test. Would you do "X" without "Y"? Yes? You are not dependent. No? You are. OK, before you get on the plane is part of a skydive if you will only get on a plane with one...Then you are making the decision that will be ok due to having one, vs staying on the ground. If you need something to do something else is the very defintion of dependancy....You will get further along if you admit that and instead focus on WHY people make that choice. Same things, but you think only your opinion matters. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Easy As it applies to skydiving....Skydiving is not a Safe sport. Only you want to change definitions of words to fit your choices. Then I wonder why you continue to debate them? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Yes, I do know you can't debate the meaning of a word, yet people like you will try...I never understand how you can ignore the very definition of a word. Unless you are doing it to try and make yourself feel better....That still means you are wrong. Well, if people knew the definitions or did not try to change them, they would not need to be brought up. Not my fault people try to change the definition of a word. Simple facts folks...If you need "X" to do "Y" then you ARE DEPENDENT and you RELY on it. Please try to prove that is not correct, you can't. Maybe you should stop trying to change a definition and debate the reasons. Being dependent is not necessarily bad in and of itself, it depends on the REASON. But claiming you are not, when you clearly are, is silly. For example....I am dependent on an AAD when I do Tandems. It is a requirement, same with wearing a seatbelt when driving and jumping with a reserve on a skydive. However, I am not afraid to drive without a seatbelt (did it this weekend twice on a super short drive), and I am not afraid to jump without a reserve (BASE). I have never done a Tandem without an AAD since it would be illegal and I owe it to the student to follow the rules. But really....You can claim all ya want that you are not dependent or do not rely on something, but your actions do not match your words. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

All female national Champions in the UK. Females standing with a Gold and a Bronze at the World Meet in 4way, and a Silver in 8way. Way to go chickas! "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Yes it does: That is the very definition of "relying": Now you can debate how smart it is (or not) to depend on a seatbelt, or an AAD...But you cannot debate a defintion of a word. If you must have "X" to do "Y", then you are dependant on "X". "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Relying on ANY device is foolish...to INCLUDE an AAD. But you do not seem to have a problem with relying on an AAD. Also there is a BIG difference between a PASSIVE device (AAD) and an active back up (Reserve). If I had a student that was not sure they could use a reserve, I would not let them jump. If someone does not trust themselves enough without a CYPRES...Then they are not comfertable enough with the skydiving process and the parts they have to play in it.....Do you know people who WILL NOT drive unless they have a car with an airbag? Then maybe you should not go around telling experienced jumpers that they should use a CYPRES? Why do you have the right to tell people to do stuff, but not others? That is the very definition of "relying": "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Very mature....Feel free to think you already know it all....But you don't. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

How about the option that I wear one if I can, but don't need one to jump. I have two rigs...One with an AAD and one without. If they are both sitting there, I will grab the one with the AAD. But if not, then I grab the other and don't change a single thing. Proper training would have prevented them also....Go read the CYPRES save reports and see how many were do to being knocked out, and how many were just people screwing up and doing nothing. Many old timers know that the safest tool you have is your mind, and the best way to use it is to train it...Not just buy an AAD and consider yourself safe. 33 Years old and they were around for quite some time. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Just like you are doing? Your choice may be thought out, but it is a bad choice. Less than 150 jumps over 10 years...I assume you are including military jumps...I have military jumps and they will not help with an eliptical canopy at all. Your choice is poorly made. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Is it cool to bring up Mike's past when he was found innocent and his sons are part of our community? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

This is what I was wondering.....I hope he recovers and I hope to see quite a battle "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Add not giving students advice even on the ground. Instead direct them to an Instructor...Then print this, frame it, and hang it at the DZ. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

To some, yes. To others, no. Some people do this as a way to escape and for them teaching is not fun. Others love teaching. So ask if it is ok to ask them some questions. LISTEN to them. Use your common sense to see if you are bothering them. If they are in the middle of a dirt dive, or conversation...You most likely are. If they are sitting around watching people land...Maybe not. Get a mentor. Someone who will look after you and answer your questions. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Well I asked where Fury is...you were the one that totally overlooked that there is a female on Fury. Be careful how much you try and start trouble "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Have they competed yet this year? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Who is your team? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

sorry, I didn't realize that we voted for open ranking. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Well, I am in LA and I had dinner with some LA area jumpers and it made me start thinking. I doubt I could add or detract from that battle. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Whats going on with them? I expect them to do quite well this year, but I have not seen anything from them since Feb? Looking forward to the Elsinore/Perris battle at Nationals this year. Both teams look like they will have quite a battle between them. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Hello onion! Hair gel, bottled water, and nail clippers can finally travel in peace. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Double digits is easy, here is how you do it. Quit your job, sell everything you own, move to a DZ and get on a team. Eat Raman noodles and consider McDonalds to be "eating out". Put all of our money into jumps and training. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Thanks, that was a blast. The instructor of the class I am in and I went and rode the strand last night...Nice. And yes, some very nice looking things walking about "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Very true. But that does not change things that much, several DZO's have other jobs/investments. But the SDD owners running at a loss still amazes me. And the fact is they do it for two main reasons I can think of...One is to get new blood at the DZ an to ensure that they have a next generation of jumpers to sell tickets to, the other is just flat out love for the sport. Either way I am really impressed. I like the SDC "A in one week" program as well. I have had great success getting people to go through all 8 levels in three days. Currency is the biggest factor in retention IMO. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Please, I had an AFF1 that flew in the mantis. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334