genitor

It would be interesting to see the answers broken down by demographic. Examples: I'm primarily a skydiver : Skydiving. I'm primarily a skydiver : Rock climbing. I'm primarily a rock climber : Skydiving. I'm primarily a rock climber : Rock climbing. I do both: Skydiving. I do both: Rock climbing. My answer would be "I'm primarily a skydiver: Rock climbing". Of course that may be just because I know so little about rock climbing.

I use the same method he described on my Sabre2-170. For me, it's a lot easier than the standard 2 S-folds technique, and I've never had anything but super sweet openings when I pack that way. When I was first learning to pack, I always used to try and S-fold "properly", and I would get spanked on a semi-regular basis. I'm sure this was happening because I would lose control of the mess while putting the damn thing into the bag. Also, thinking of putting the bag around the canopy, instead of the canopy into the bag, has helped me tremendously.

I had it happen to me a couple of weeks ago. When I landed from one jump, it said -10 feet. I had to pack fast to make the next load, so I didn't have time to mess with it. It stayed stuck at -10 feet for the next jump. Afterwards, I had to take the battery out and put it back in for it to reset. It hasn't given me a problem since, though, and I generally like it.

Here we go. Now someone is going to re-edit your post and change RSL to TRAINING. I think we should just appreciate what Bill Booth is trying to do here.

Then you don't have to be. That's one of the great things about skydiving. There are so many different disciplines, and you have as diverse a community as you could ever want. Personally, I enjoy competition. However, I think it's silly to tell other people that they should, too. On that same note, I think it is equally as silly to tell people that they should NOT be competitve. That's what drives a lot of people, and no one should discourage that, since that's what they enjoy.

I see 375. 3500 - (3000 + 125) = 375. I guess that he's saying that you have 3000 FS jumps, and 125 CRW jumps, so that only leaves 375 for the instructor-related jumps. Pretty dumb logic.

The last two tracks are awesome. The others are just filler.

West coast of Florida. Does this mean Tampa? If so, I'm sorry. Tampa, IMO, is right up there with Atlanta as the city in which I'd least like to live. I would move. Not moving because you are afraid of being defeated or whatever seems rather silly. These people do not care about defeating you. They don't know who you are. They are simply horrible people, and sticking around will not mean that you win. If there are alternatives to where you are living, I would take them. It's always a good idea to try to leave a bad situation for a better one. I know that moving sucks. I've been involved in a number of different moves in the last couple of months. But does moving suck more than staying where you are? It sounds like a time where you have to decide what sucks less.

Thanks!

I'm curious. I'm assuming that this is listed on other reserve sizes as well. You mentioned PD-113R specifically. But, would this apply to other sizes as well (I'm assuming so), such as a PD-160R or PD-193R? Is there anywhere online where you can find this information? I briefly looked at PD's website, but didn't find anything relevant. I think that looking at my own reserve's labels would be a rather expensive venture, since I just got them repacked. Thanks!

Not yet. I once cleared the barbed wire fence that surrounds the airport at Sebastian by about 2 or 3 feet after deciding to "go for it" on a windy day and a short spot. That was REALLY stupid, and I got very lucky. I also landed downwind once coming back from a long spot. By the time I made it back to the airport, I felt that I was too low to turn back into the wind. After a fun, sliding landing, I was unharmed, but again I should have found an alternate landing area.

First and only

It is a very good song. It's a Black Label Society original, though, with Ozzy singing backup.

She IS a rigger and knows a lot about skydiving gear. I'd listen to what she has to say. $900 (or less, if you're buying used) is a small price to pay for safety and peace of mind should you ever need to start pulling handles.

I certainly can't argue with that. So, with that logic I can only see two possible scenarios : - NO ONE (regardless of skill) should do those certain 10-way jumps because they are inherently more dangerous. - People CAN do those more dangerous jumps, but must be more willing to die in the (unlikely?) event of getting knocked out while doing them. That's funny!

I was wondering how many people out there are jumping a Mirage G4 with the Fancy Pants option. Do you like it? Does it really eliminate the problem with your leg straps sliding down your legs? How does it compare to the bungee-between-straps option that is more standard (I find that the leg straps on my rig STILL have a tendency to slide down somewhat even with the bungee).

Do you think that anyone should do 10-way speed? As I said before, I totally understand the following : "Jumpers shouldn't go on a jump that's over their skill just because they have an AAD." I don't think that's the same thing as : "You shouldn't go on a jump unless you're willing to do so without an AAD." I think we're talking about two different types of jumpers. Two different mindsets. Skill level and gear selection are (at least should be) independent things. Say Kallend's (evil) twin from the alternate universe comes to the DZ (with a goatee, of course). He's exactly the same as him skill-wise except that he hates AADs. As I said before, their actions will be the same on the 10-way speed dive. Kallend's evil twin is simply more willing to die in the case that he gets knocked out. Does that make him a better skydiver, or at least more deserving to be on that skydive? The way I read your posts, that seems to be the main point.

Well, at the end of The Simpsons the screen went blank. Now, at 9:11, I'm staring at the following : "DirecTV - We are experiencing problems from the program source. We apologize for the interruption in service." This is the ONLY TV event I've cared about for the last 2 years!!!! Those motherfuckers...

I would say that the second you decided to cut away you became dependent on your reserve. If this were not the case, it seems like it would be a better idea to take your chances under a malfunctioning main. But that doesn't make sense, does it? I'm truly surprised to see this attitude regarding reserves. I think that's sort of the point I'm making, even though I'd be willing to admit that I AM dependent on my reserve (they drill that into you pretty well as a student). You did the best that you could NOT to need your reserve (you DID depend on it to save your life), but you still used it. I'm willing to bet that you were more than qualified to land your main. Are you saying that you would have done nothing differently on any of your skydives if you didn't have a reserve, or knew that it wouldn't work? You would pack your tiny canopy in 5-10 minutes (I'm assuming that's what it took you, if that) the same exact way? You could use the same absolute logic that is being applied to AADs to your main. Jumping a very small elliptical, you knew that your chances of a cutaway were higher than average. If you weren't willing to do a jump without your reserve, you shouldn't have done it at all. If you say that you WERE willing to do the same exact skydives without a reserve, would it be fair to say that you would most likely be dead, or at least very severely injured? Is that what this is about, how willing you are to die because you don't want to be dependent on a backup device? That sounds incredibly foolish to me. I know that this is a risk/benefit thing, but I don't look at a skydive in regards to using just my main. I look at the whole system that I have attached to me (at least with my reserve). I understand the basic idea that you (and Ron) are trying to convey. Jumpers shouldn't go on a jump that's over their ability just because they have an AAD. I believe I have never done that. I have denied to go on jumps numerous times because I felt they were above my current skill level. The fact that I have an AAD didn't enter into the equation. HOWEVER, I can totally understand an AFF instructor or freefly coach being unwilling to jump without an AAD, as long as having one does not in any way affect their ACTIONS on the skydive. These are (or should be) two unrelated things. The instructor wants to give himself his best chance for survival in the case something goes wrong. I'm sure he understands it does NOT make it invulernable. He's simply looking at the risk/benefit level calculating the RISK using his entire rig. The fact that he has a modern rig equipped with an AAD on it automatically reduces his risk compared to him using a rig that's 30+ years old with a belly mount reserve, etc. I'm pretty sure that's a statistical fact. Also, how would an AFF instructor know that his student could be a problem? I've often heard that some of the best students on the ground are the worst in the air. The general attitude I'm reading from Ron (please correct me if I'm wrong) is that he is more willing to die if something unexpected should go wrong, so he's a better skydiver (BTW I'm sure Ron is 1000% better at skydiving than I am, so please don't take that as an attack in any way).

So, when you cutaway from your main on your 14 reserve rides, you weren't depending on your reserve to work?

We've certainly met. In fact we did a two way last weekend

I'll be there! I'll probably be flying a demo PDR-160 most of the weekend, though.

I was just wondering why no other rig (correct me if I'm wrong) has the Vector-style RSL (ie, reserve is closed with RSL directly, instead of the ripcord through the ring)? It seems to me that the design is superior. So, it surprises me that no other rig has it, especially on rigs that are seemingly copies of the Vector (Icon, Mirage). This question also applies to the Collins' Lanyard. Does RWS have a patent on these designs, and if so, do they not license them (or price them too highly)?

I saw them a couple of years ago when they were touring for "All That You Can't Leave Behind". They were awesome. They definitely know how to put on a great show. Having said that, I personally can't stand their new album. In fact, until they come out with something that totally makes up for it, U2 is officially dead to me. I'm especially disgusted whenever I'm subjected to their "All Because of You" single. I think that song must part of some sick joke that Bono is playing.

1. Whats your name? Phillip 2. How old are you? 23 3. Why did you decide to start jumping out of airplanes? Boredom. 4. Are you single or taken? Single. 5. Do you have kids? No. 6. What do you drive? 1998 Corvette 7. Have you ever done a kisspass? No 8. Where do you live? Vero Beach, FL 9. Do you have any pets? Yes. Unfortunately one rescued kitty turned into many. 10. How many jumps do you have? ~275. 11. What color eyes do you have? Brown. 12. What is your nationality? American. 13. Have you ever dated someone you met off the internet? Define "Date" 14. Favorite Movie? Conan the Barbarian / Amadeus. 15. What do you do when you arent skydiving? Sit in front of computers for countless hours / lift heavy things. 16. Have you ever BASE jumped? No. 17. If not... do you want to? No. 18. Do you have siblings? Only child! 19. Where do you want to travel to the most? The Netherlands (again) 20. What's your favorite color? White. 21. Where was the last place you flew to ( not skydiving )? Colorado.