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I bought my Gath before leaving NZ and have put about 40 jumps on it. It is a great piece of head gear. It is comfy, allows great visibility, (with a little practice) allows you to put your goggles on the top visor while in the aircraft, and looks pretty smart too. About the only negative thing I can think of is the external dytter mount needed for virtually all types of dytters. They are such a snug helmet that if you mount it on the inside, you get cramped (sore) ears. Otherwise, you run the costly risk of having a riser sweep it off on deployment. (I have never heard of this, but it is a logical risk) All in all I would have to rate the Gath helmet at about an 8. So, if you are looking for a good, sturdy, attractive, and cost effective piece of head wear before you start getting into the fancy full face jobs...you can't do better than a Gath!!!

Hey Skyhawk When I was in the Marine Corps (US) we used to seek out Aussie's for that reason. Man I've had some world class hangovers. Two broken knuckles, got a tooth knocked out, had a broken nose and various other bumps. It was great fun. It just don't get much better then that. Larry N.

Wow Mark I can see where that would unnerve a person. Its a wonder you walked away from that one. I started jumping in 1975, A 28' double L mod, then graduated to a PC man I thought I was up town, Then a Strato Star what a new world. Square Canopy's really changed the sport. I was in the Marine Corps and we were a bunch of military guys at my DZ. When I got out I went to college, married kids the whole routine. I just couldn't justify spending the money. Your right though when your away for awhile you get used to it. But it never leaves you, its in your blood. So you young folks listen to a couple guys who lost 20 plus years of jumping Don't ever quit its a a great sport and it won't quit you even if you quit it. At work again today but next weekend I'm jumping! By the way I did register but my username keeps comming up anonymous so if anyone might know what I'm doing wrong, I could use the help. Light winds soft landings Larry

Watching someone bounce is not a requirement to be a jumper. After many years without witnessing a critical injury my luck finally ran out and I had the misfortune of seeing a first jump student with a pilot chute in tow at a very low altitude that was to late for a reserve. However I was able to minimize my mental trauma by simply doing a 180 degree turn and walking away before impact. Did I feel bad? yes. Did I cry? yes. Did I have nightmares? yes. Do I still jump? yes. The rest of the people at the DZ that watched the whole event including impact, were much more traumatized. In closing don't watch the impact and don't run over to look unless you have medical training. We had a army medic who ran over tried to perform CPR. R.I.P.

Thanks for your help, and thanks again froggie for posting for me! It's good to hear from someone who went through the program there and was very happy with it. All I"m looking for is a fun place to learn with some very helpful, patient instructors. Sounds like this place fit! And btw, how far is the Ranch from NYC? Got an idea Squirts or Trent? Also, since I'm so new to this stuff, can you comment at all on currency and refresher course policies there? Thnx!

I posted history thanks for the encouragement and the info on the strato star. I was going to go to the DZ this morning and make my first jump in 22 years. At 0500 I got called in to work! bummer eh! I was going to post how great it was to get back in the sky. Oh well looks like 22years and another week. And this next week is going to seem longer than the 22 years.

Hi guys-- PLFKING here (having problems with upgrading to register--NOT changing my name to Anonymous !! ) A special howdy to all the old-timers who found the new site -- did Sangiro do a great job, or what ? MikeD10270, for the longest time I thought that the Australians had finally had enough of your s*** and turned you into Matilda bait ! I have to comment on this thread. I wore glasses from ages 5-35 (major astigmatism, and 20/200 vision) My mom estimated one time that I went through about 25-30 pair of glasses from ages 8-16, the majority of damages coming from playing football and soccer, falling out of trees, crash-landings on my motorcycles, and being an all-around hellian in general. I had the RK 7 years ago, and man, it has made a HUGE difference in my life (even more than skydiving, and that's saying a lot !) I would highly recommend it to anyone who is even casually thinking about it. The best $2900 I ever spent, or will spend (even a new rig couldn't compare to it.) I can sympathize with Carrie's plight in regards to the flaring at landing. I flare too early almost every time, and have only had 6 stand-ups in 26 jumps --hence the name. I work out, and play about every sport known to man (except curling !), so I stay in shape, and the PLFs don't hurt, but I sometimes wonder if I'll ever be able to stand my landings, no matter how many jumps I get. My jumping friends tell me not to worry, it'll come, but will it? I've tried every bit of advice thrown at me, and my depth perception FEELS and LOOKS correct when I start to flare, but when the flare's done and the stall begins, I'm ALWAYS looking at 6-10 feet of air under my feet. I'm not going to stop jumping because of it, but I also know if I'm still landing like this 10-15 years from now when I'm in my mid 50s, I'm probably looking at some serious injury eventually knocking me out of this sport for good. Plus, I just want to land like everyone else ! Has anybody with this problem found ANYTHING that worked? My vision is now 20/30, but depth perception still sucks the big one. I need more advice, please. The obese kids worked well for the longest time, but now the little bastards have become wise to my ways, and have starting hiding behind trees and cars when I line up for final, and after plowing into a few tree-trunks (they don't yield at all !!), I've decided to change my ways -- now I HAVE to learn this !! The PLF Chancellor

Well, once again, I don't know if this will help, but I used to jump with a guy in NZ who had 30% vision. We're talking this dude was legally blind, never looked right at you because he could only see with his periphery vision, had the BIGGEST cell phone you could find, had to read with his nose on the page, THE WORKS!! Oh yeah, he was always the base as well, otherwise he float in the sky for K's of ft and never find his slot. He is one of the most experienced jumpers I have jumped with, but it didn't come easy for him. He was on a radio for like his first 50 jumps, just so he could get his perception right. He flies a 165(?)ft2 canopy, but doubts if he will ever go much smaller due to his vision and perception. So, it can be done. Aside from the surgical options ahead of you, there is always the idea of going back on a radio and getting used to judge your landings with your "normal" vision, so that in an emergency, or...if you're ever sick of getting fully suited in the hangar, there is an out for you. Again, don't know if this helps, but just thought I would add it. Yeah, you're not the only one!! Cheers, Arohanui, B NZPF A-2584

Thanks! That was very clear, and very helpful.

Thanks! Never scrolled far enough down to see the reviews.

I wasnt, but I did learn afterwards. What about the rest of the canopy? Grab the pilot chute and bridle, wad it all up and bring it in? I was watching the vets strut in and it looked like they had semi-flaked thiers. But then some were so small some just grabbed them and tossed them over thier shoulders Thanks

Went out last weekend to do aff. Felt a bit retarded walking back with my main wadded up in front of me, with no real organized way of dealing with it. Tripping over it trying not to let it drag behind me. Instructors didnt really explain how to neatly deal with this. I realize that it was a 280, but what are the steps to take to properly carry back to hanger?

Also with AFP you make two tandems in the begining and then you jump with one instructor. During AFP you learn different exits and some RW. The idea of the AFP is when you are done you're ready to get your "A" (you might need 3 jumps if I remember correctly). It is a great program.

I have never done sky-diving and I would like to begin by taking weekend courses close to the London area, does any of you know how can I initiate my sky-diving career?

Okay, I am new to the USPA. I just got my card in the mail and it gave me a 6 digit number, is that my licence number? Am I an A, B, C, D or just a number who can assign myself what ever letter I want to, like being a Z licence (for zany!) New to this parachute organisation, so if someone could tell me how I get distinguished in my licences would be great. Cheers,

Hey, Did anyone read that post about the guy who ran into the beer server at the cole slaw wrestling event? Well, at the least the title is funny. He kept saying "It wasn't my fault" What the hell is up with that. If you hit someone on the ground it had better goddam be your fault. Why were you jumping where people can walk around. Have you ever heard of the PRO requirements for demo landings? Obviously not. You would think people would learn. Skydivers getting killed or injured in the sport is, unfortunately, part of the sport. Skydivers injuring people who are not skydiving is unaceptable. Especially when you are trying to show them how wonderful and safe the sport can be. I really hope this guy, Swimm, pulls his head out or puts his rig up for sale.

Hey Folks I started jumping in 1975 and quit in 1976 with 97 jumps. Married kids ect. Anyway I am ready to get back in the sky and of course things have changed. I used to jump a strato star does anyone out there know how big this canopy was? We didn't concern ourselves with such things back then. I'm just trying to get a reference compared to todays canopy's. I will make my first jump in over 20 years this saturday. Thanks in advance

Thanks! I figured that what the answer would be! I just really really wanna jump again. Better to wait another month that to screw it up and wait six. Pete

Hey I injured my knee pretty bad when I landed under a round reserve. I'm pretty sure it would be a brain dead move to jump with a bad knee.... But does anyone have any advise. Its nice warm weather and its been almost two months since I have jumped. That sucks! I really wanna jump!

I am with Sangiro on this one... PLFXpert, do tell us more about those swimming days. Especially the shower scenes with you and and the other girls...Oooh yeah, and the towel fights...and, and the lingerie parties to build team spirit. YEAH, tell us about those!!

I don't know if this makes me an official, but up until a year ago, I worked in the movie industry. I remember reading about films in the pipeline (Cutaway in particular) and wee blurbs on each. The way I heard/read it was that Berenger was the only one to 'actually' skydive...Baldwin's scenes were all filmed in the wind tunnel with a back drop, but they may have changed their minds since that publication (I haven't actually seen it myself yet to verify the reality of the jump scenes). Berenger has his A licence and from what I read just before I left NZ, still jumps!

"cool"

Hehe.. I don't think I'd have the balls to tell em that. The good thing about being a single dad is that I always have an excuse to call in sick. "Sorry, my daughter has the flu, can't come in today". Of course, it has backfired on me. I was planning on using that 3 weeks ago to go skydive, but as luck would have it, my daughter DID get sick 2 days beforehand.

Does BR stop there? Do I really want to risk my life on a train in the UK? Just kidding even though skydiving does appear to be a bit safer than the trains at the moment... I feel really sorry for that driver of the Land Rover - it was a genuine accident, but now he has to live with the guilt. I'll check dirtdive.co.uk quickly and check out Headcorn. thanks /s

I saw this episode of Skybound about skydiving, and they showed a couple of 'games' played in the air. Turning points (RW) was already concidered a game, but they also showed a group of 6 people doing a small race. Two guys held a streamer, and they just stayed in position..about 20 to 25 ft away from each other. The other 4 skydivers then raced around the streamers like a racingcource...who ever did the most 'laps' won the game.... And ofcource there is always the odd 'low pull' game. Winning that would cost you a repack though (if you're 'lucky' ;) No crazy games for me though...my next game wil be learning backloops...that's more then enough fun for me ;) Cya Jarno