Ron

My question was if it was OK to use a CYPRES to replace a skillset. But is it OK not to try since you have a backup? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Not a bad video, but a bunch has changed since 1989-1990(?) Kinesthesia talks about moves from a boxman....And one thing they mention to go forward is to arch your chest....It works, but it is kinda dated. Skydiving has changed a bunch in the last 16 years. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Zig Zag....I don't think goose was bagging on you. Goose...Well said. I'll put it this way. There is a guy on here that sends me a PM about once a week. He is friendly and wants to learn. So when I am at the DZ who do you think I go look for to help? Him, or they guy that has never said "hi" to me? Simple fact is if I don't know you, and you make no effort to let me know who you are, and there are loads of people, how the heck am I supposed to know you want help? If you don't make yourself noticable, I will not notice you. Wallflowers don't get to dance. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Try to get to Bragg, or the 101st. Both last time I checked had jump clubs. The 82d club cost close to nothing to learn. Even if you can't get a transfer, you could take leave. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

And how many saves were due to the jumper fucking up? How many could have saved themselves? I know you don't let the cypres replace skillsets...But I bet you know someone who does. And is that OK? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Well even though you seem unable to admit anytime you are wrong...It is pretty simple concept that a guy with 6 times more experience (Sparky) than you, who WAS A TEST JUMPER! Might know more than you. But your ego will not let you admit you are out of your league. You can make "penis size" jokes all you want. I am done here as well. Its clear you think you know more than everyone else, so why bother? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I wonder what makes you think you know more than the makers and testers of the equipment "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

The whole thread. You debate guys like Sparky who have more test jumps than most people have jumps. I'd bet that Sparks there has more jumps on experimental equipment than you have total jumps. You are clearly not an idiot. You have alot of book smarts. Sparky has the actual experience of dealing with these things. I wonder what makes you think you know more than the makers and testers of the equipment "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Well said and one of the reasons I like SL. Most places do not nickel and dime SL students. They do it for love of the sport, not money. I still think that way and I am an AFF I. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Yep, very few people can afford to work without pay. DZO's can, and it is in their best interest. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Neither should be weight, but you debate that? See how your arguments make no sense? You claim that only one (speed) is important, not the other (weight). There is a reason why the people who make these things have both a speed and weight listed. I still can't understand how you think you know more than the makers of the canopies, and the people who test them Do you really think you know more than the people who make and test these things? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Here is an example of a reserve blowing up. Why ignore people with real world experience? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Where was his left hand? I don't think its macho BS to think that if your mental state is that you will only jump with an AAD that you might be fooling yourself into thinking that you will be safe. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Back in the day we had 100 jump wonders being jumpmasters. Getting paid to teach skydiving. People wanted skydiving to become popular. Well there is a cost to that. One is more regulation, another is people charging for things they didn't before. I can remember showing up at a DZ and they would inspect my gear. If my closing loop was worn, they handed me a new one. Last time I had a DZ hand me a closing loop they wanted to charge for it. Now I understand that people want to make a living, but that is an example of the changes this sport has made. It is not just the coach rating, it is in everything. I can remember showing up at a DZ and someone would loan me gear. Now they want me to rent it. We wanted the sport to become popular, now we have to live with it. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Cost. With the economy not doing as well as it was in the 90's the first thing that people do is stop spending discretionary income on hobbies. Skydiving is an expensive sport, and people have less free money. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Most "instruters" Like to be asked questions. Thats why they became instructors. How to relax? Breathe deep, picture a perfect jump. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Not saying they are stacked against Airspeed. But from his post "While I was there I asked him if Airspeed had done that 8 round draw that the French recently did, he said that they had and finished a few points shy of the French unfortunately" Having done the same draw and posting a lower score could be one reason why someone thinks they are the underdog. The French team has had the same group together since 2004. And they have only been three points behind Airspeed in every world meet they have attended, while Airspeed has replaced people. That could be another reason. The French beat Airspeed in 05 at the Malevsky meet. So I can see how someone could think of Airspeed as the underdogs. Can not the same thing be said for the French, or the Russians? Love of a team should not be blind to other evidence or other opinions. I think Airspeed will win, but I understand that they could be seen as underdogs due to the reasons given. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

You base this on??????? No offense but two years and 73 jumps might not make you qualified to make that call in regards to jumping. Eliminate most of the above except for the bolded part and you would be bang on. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

OK but there is a big difference between is a 1.1 WL safe for a student vs 2.1? And is skydiving safe? The first is a comparison, the second is not. Skydiving is not safe based on the very basics of what we are doing. And anyone that tries to claim it is safe is wrong. Now, using context we can say that I am safe under a 1.7 to 1 loaded Stiletto where a student would not be. But both of us are not really safe jumping it. I just have a higher probability of success. The same could be said for winds, altitudes, size of formations ect. For there to be acomparison, you need something to compare skydiving too. Saying skydiving is safer than Base jumping, nakid, through a ring of fire, over a pit of sea bass with lazers is kinda a no brainer. But to claim that either Base or skydiving itself is safe is not really logical. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Except you have time. If you work on thirds you have more time than you went for to get out. That is not the same as falling 8 thousand feet to try and stop in the last two grand. Also you can turn the dive at anytime. My last SCUBA dive went like crap. But even then I had time to work out my problems. Except you don't wait till the last second to stop the chain. I understand what you are saying...but I still don't know a sport that you start a chain of events and then at the last second have to perform or you die. I agree no sport is safe. Correction BASE is the same...But I consider that skydiving for people who are scared of flying "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

There was a Highlander 2? Yeah I know, I went to the pre-view. It sucked. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

You poll options compared the two. It is fair to assume that people will debate that point. By that definition then it is either "medium" or "high". Which do you think it is? I go with "high". I disagree. They are either deluding thmeselves or someone else. Name me one other sport where you put yourself into a situation that WILL end in your death. Then you wait until near the very end to stop that chain of events. Really, I can't think of ONE other sport where people do that. Relative danger. You compaed driving to skydiving...A common but very flawed analogy. I know people that think it is safe...And by the very nature of the sport it is unsafe. Your mental outlook on it does not change the fact that you are in freefall towards an uncaring planet. Nothing is "safe". Even sitting around doing nothing will kill you. But considering that skydiving adds sudden impact trama as a possible outcome means that it can not be safe. And we do it for FUN. But it being for fun, us having the best training, the best equipment and a good attitude does not make the act itself safe. Something is or is not safe, we can minimize the danger and bring it to an acceptable level, but it is still dangerous, just controlled. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

That is a call you have to make. I have two rigs. One with, and one without an AAD. I jump either, but if I have a choice I jump the AAD equiped rig. There are several reasons, the rig is new, the canopy is new, the reserve is new. But I chose to put the AAD in the rig I would jump more for a reason. I have well over 500 jumps with no AAD, and over 3,000 without an RSL. But if you have a rig sitting there with an AAD in it...I'd jump it over the non AAD rig. I however, would not let not having an AAD prevent me from jumping, and I would not let having an AAD let me do things I would not do without one. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Lets not forget that Superman and Clark left and came back at the same time,,,, Sheesh. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

2 ?!?!?!?!?!? Try five. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334