ltdiver

Annie, Didn’t know you flew camera. Perhaps this is why all the questions, or are you just trolling for posts? ;^) Yes, I’ve had neck injuries with flying camera. Mostly from hard openings that some packers seem to love giving. If I pack my own, or have a trusted packer pack for me, this hasn’t happened. A Spectre -can- give a pop-type opening, thus a varied pack job from the ‘norm' I like to give (at least my canopy. I know that quade packs his just like the manufacturer says to and he gets spectacular, soft openings every time....so go figure. It’s got to be canopy specific). On opening...yes, sitting up in the harness does help translate the force of opening to a more in-line direction. I’ll do this. As for stretches, it’s hard to type what’s the best ones are here on the internet, but if I can find some web pages that give specific ones that I like I’ll post them here for you. Same for the strengthening exercises. For short, I like Lat Pulls, Chest Press, Rows, Butterflys, and Roman Chair...with some cardio on the bike, StairMaster, or treadmill for good measure. We also have a “Total Gym” that I make good use of for abs and quads too. I do a full hour program each day. On reading your bio of orthopedic complications, I would advise that you keep a camera off your repertoire. Bone spurs are nothing to sneeze at and can cause severe stenosis on their own. Don’t encourage them, as stress does this. The weight of my camera helmet is light. My TRV22 weighs only 18.7oz and my Canon 300D weight is 19.7oz plus 20mm lens which weighs .89 lbs. The BatRak and dbox must be around 5 lbs ‘cause my whole camera set-up (with digital camera) weighs a mere 8 lbs. As for the guy who wears the neck brace at Perris. He doesn’t fly camera. As for feeling ‘safer’? Well, you’d have to ask him. I won’t presume. Everyone’s doing great at Perris, come on by sometime and say hello to your ‘buds’ yourself sometime. :^) ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

Gives new meaning to the word, "Jerk-Off". ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

That poster is perfect for an ex of mine. Think I should e-mail it to him? ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

Caren, I see you use the bullet cam. How do you like it? ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

OMG, Jason! What else did you find in your huntings today? ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

I knew of some people who filled up those junk mail return envelopes with religious pamphlets from their church! They actually counted this as their missionary work of spreading the gospel. Hey, it was free advertising, right? ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

So do physical therapists! We're smart, strong, -and- bendy too! ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

I agree with this anaysis. Puts a cameraflyer at risk for a herniated disc (which likes to herniate posteriorly anyway. You just "helped" it out even more with a chin down position!). ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

Tall "LightDiver" here. Who said that cameraflyers don't get injured? Most have been at one time or another. We just don't broadcast it. I've jumped with a less than optimum fitness before (ankle navicular bone dislocation) and (ulnar nerve inpingment similar to tennis elbow which translated up to my shoulder). The ankle was from a hard landing....the shoulder was from....well...I'll not go into that here.... ...but it wasn't skydiving. Anyway, what jdhill and quade already mentioned are important points. I spent alot of time researching the best camera set-up in keeping it light but still completely steady and functional...before buying. I also had a camera mentor who had over 10,000 camera jumps to his credit. Second was canopy selection. I started with a Diablo-120 but upsized to a Spectre-135 when my wing loading had to go up (read keep up with fast 4-way teams and heavy tandems). I currently load my canopy at 1.4+:1 with all my gear and lead. I'm also very picky about my pack jobs. If I hire a packer they have to pack my canopy to open slower than it's normal self. I have 3 packers who I trust and adjust their packing method to suit my terms of a slow opening (read an -actual- 1,000 foot opening). I had one packer who -said- they'd pack it slow but DID NOT. I commented that I needed it slowed down MORE, and they agreed to do so....it opened FAST again! I DO NOT use that packer anymore. If they are the only one there at the DZ, then I pack my own (even on fast turns). Balance of the camera suite on your head is of prime importance. My old helmet (daBomb) was great, but when I went with a heavier still camera I switched to a BatRak. The balance wasn't right (for my size and neck) for a heavy still camera to be mounted on the front. I baked the BatRak 3 different times to get the balance and fitting correct and balanced. Posture on opening has been discussed here in the video forum ad nauseum. Basically, head straight ahead, balanced and looking at the horizon. ROM (range of motion) is needed just as much as strength. I do stretches every day as well as upper body and neck strengthening exercises. It's great to have a 'personal gym' to train in after work each day! I just change from work to gym clothes and walk right back into our fully equipped P.T. gym! All of the above will lessen the body injuries a cameraflyer might have, but it won't prevent them. I know of one particular cameraflyer who kept abusing his shoulder and elbow on climb-out. He took some time off, got some physical therapy of his own and was back in the air in a few months. However, his injury still remains. Should he stop? It's up to him. Every injury -will- result in permanent disability later in life (read: when you get old), but staying fit will limit just how much it will incapacitate you. ltdiver btw, my car accident last year (when someone blasted through a stop sign and T-boned me) did more to injure my shoulder, elbow, and neck than any skydiving has ever done! Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

Cool, Mar! He's a sweetie!

You talkin' about our own billvon and his wife? They're a fantastic team, too!!

Yep, Amy's my pick as well. Trump even hinted at that when she was chosen 'back' to her old team. ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

Depends on what color glasses are worn. ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

HA! Thanks for the laugh in the morning. ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-roy3mar03,1,270118.story?coll=la-home-business (Eisner) "We need to find him a new job in a galaxy far, far away," Will the job split help, or is it just a spin tactic? ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

Is that what was felt the last time there in August? Could have sworn the sweat was wet...heat... ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

It's the "Crack-Pipe", and add to the list GLOVES!! It's DAMN cold in the tunnel right now. Glove liners would be appropriate too (you can pick a good thin set up at Sports Chalet). ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

Hey, at least you have something that's alot of men's dream! When asked if they wanted Ginger or Mary Anne, most men went for the brunette. ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

Oh, this is really fun! Fear of heights?! Got the "Light Gal" and "Kinetic Force" right, though. :^) Who's Pollonius? Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

I clicked. I read. Too fast, I guess....cause at first glance the sentence read, "They're cold, wet, and ready to sniff your rear!" ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

Just be aware that at big events the price goes up. The $30-45/night price is their rate now, but just watch it when a large event (like Nationals) books all the hotels/motels around. Book your reservations now, teams! ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

Naw, I think you're just not doing it right Quade...... Go with the Goth thing.....chicks dig it..... Naw....us cameraflyers just like to stick together. You should see what we get into when we get bored! ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

There is a 12mm Russian lens that I'm told it of excellent quality and price. Cajones turned me on to it. I have a Russian cameraflyer looking into it for me. ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

First post, I see, skyfly8000!

LOL! Guess you didn't read this Iven C. Kincheloe Award document, then. Funny that they share the same name. :^) ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon