AFFI

whew, thank God! I'm not gay...

There is absolutely no way of critiquing this persons performance or problems they are having without being in the environment they are jumping in, familiar with the particular gear they are using and mostly, not being able to watch first hand what exactly is going on. People think they can get/give remedial instruction online and that is just not viable. Often times, I have noticed, especially prevalent in these forums, that it is the jumpers with little experience to give qualified instruction eager to share what they believe is good advice when in fact it is in most cases not helpful to the progression of the individual making the initial inquiry. Although this advice is either a well intentioned desire to be helpful or perhaps an uncontrollable glee to express themselves in their new found body of knowledge in an activity they have not yet acquired the necessary familiarity to give accurate and sound advice in person, much less online where effective communication to be considered "helpful" is paramount. Effective communication is difficult enough as it is without adding the aforementioned factors to the equation. Back when I was a beginner, with 2 or 3 hundred jumps (yes, in general, I consider 2/300 jumps still a beginner) often times students or those yet to acquire their A license would approach me in the hanger or packing room seeking advice and I would always respectfully advise them to seek their directives from the instructor that is working directly with them. This was done out of respect for the students safety and especially for the instructors working with these individuals because I did not want to undermine the work that had been done to train them, especially when I did not yet understand the process. Even after I earned my rating to instruct, I do not interfere the training other instructors are giving when they work with students unless I am asked by that instructor because I am not familiar with the particular issues that student may be having and also because different instructors have various teaching methods and I do not want to interrupt the flow of the process they are utilizing even if it is starkly different then that which I would employ. The very best advice I see given by those qualified to give it in threads pertaining to remedial instruction is to seek directives and instruction from the instructors that are working directly with the individual. - Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

What should be concentrated on more than anything and absolutely above all else after acquisition of an “A” License is: First: Emergency Procedures that encompass a through educating, understanding and cross checking by the newly licensed skydiver, this includes a through understanding of the gear, its proper utilization configuration and maintainence. Second: Canopy piloting education that not only requires and abundant amount of education and practice but also requires an enormous amount of, ummmm, practice... Open parachutes, especially ones that are properly flown greatly increase our odds of surviving and walking away from every landing. I have done recurrencey training with a lot of skydivers with hundreds of jumps and am completely floored by how little they knew about the fundamental survival aspects of skydiving. I sit out by the beer line and watch team members with their matching jumpsuits and thousands of jumps make mistakes under canopy all the time that only require training in the most fundamental aspects of canopy flight. Being under-prepared on the fundamentals of survival is amazingly common in the skydiving community. Everyone wants to get out there and become hotshot in the varying disciplines and disregard the important stuff. Regardless of what aspect of skydiving you are concentrating, you will get better with repetitive practice, and we only get that 45 seconds at a time. I’ve said it before and will say it again: I have never seen a skydiver sitting in the plane on the way to altitude with a femur bone sticking out of the side of their leg. - Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Great post...

What was your altitude when you cutaway? It’s okay if you are no certain, but altitude awareness when dealing with a potentially land-able partial malfunction is paramount. When adrenaline levels are high and temporal distortion occurs, it is easy to loose track of altitude - very easy. When things don't go right and you are amped out and not aware of your altitude and probably too excited to think about checking it, a cutaway and reserve deployment is good stuff. That is why it is important to make altitude awareness second nature. I would encourage you to continue training emergency procedures, make altitude checks a part of your drills, any time you have a lower speed partial malfunction, check your altitude (like BEFORE you start to kick out of LTs) and make an altitude check the first step in your control check from now on, I will help greatly in training yourself to remain altitude aware during and after deployment. Having a keen sense of altitude awareness may save your life one day, it certainly would have made a difference for many dead skydivers in the past. You will have an evolved perspective 1 or 2 thousand jumps from now but - Again, I think you did the right thing at your experience level. The adrenaline must have been pumping, feels good eh? Congrats on your first reserve ride - and ummmm, another beer reminder... - Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

When I had 266 jumps, I would have done exactly what you did, chop it and trust my reserve. Now, I would remain altitude aware, evaluate the situation and base my priorities on my altitude. If there is time, see if the canopy is controllable, it is that simple - keep it fundamental... I put the chance of a double mal out of my mind, if I have to use my reserve, I simply trust it... You did good.. Ummmm, beer... - Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

When I was 16, oh goodness, I don’t even want to admit how much I had yet to learn, how much growing up I had to do. Belittling this young man, calling him a child and whatnot is probably not the way to bring him along. The truth of the matter is he is blessed, and cursed with youth and we could all take into consideration what it was like, with the hormones popping out of control and the cool factor a must. Imagine, being 16 and having 500 jumps, that must be the ultra immense side of coolness! Even cooler than being able to play Eruption or having a high performance bike or both – 500 jumps at 16 is the epitome of coolness. I can’t imagine what having 500 jumps at 16 would have done to my ego. 500 jumps is also considered a danger point for most male skydivers who still have a repository of testosterone and I suspect he has plenty of that in abundance. How a young man in that position must be at some level, feeling 10 feet tall and bullet proof. Lets prove how “adult” we are and approach this situation with empathy and heartfelt understanding, to make our attempts of encouragement with kindness and respect while keeping in mind that he is young, is in he 500 jump range (we have all been there) and may not take all of our well intentioned advice because he is where he is at this point in life. My sense of seeintothefutureism tell me one day he will be a well respected skydiver and instructor, maybe even world class and hopefully there will be no injuries or deaths as part of his learning experience. And to Jarrett, I would request that you take into consideration the advice these well intentioned over 30 skydivers are trying to give you. It may not seem like it, but they really are taking the time out of there lives writing words of encouragement (although not well communicated all the time) to you because they care – the care about the integrity of the sport, they care about the safety of the student passengers and that these clients get a good quality video they are paying hard earned money to have you document so they can show their grandkids one day and they care indirectly about you. Your safety, and I believe that not only your well being is the driving force that is motivating, but the plain and simple fact that you are the future of this sport. You will be making a life out of skydiving, with a lengthy past of being around it, and now a long future to look forward to, and that is what we really care about. One day, you will be the one looking out for the next generation - looking out for the up and coming skydivers that will be the future of the sport a generation after you. It is difficult for you because not only do you have to prove yourself more so because you were raised around the sport, you are young and already have more jumps than most people that get started in this sport will ever acquire, and you have to prove to yourself that your are a skydiver with a respectable background and level of experience. The quickest way down that road is with understanding, humility and patience – not the usual attributes of a 16 year old but I am challenging you to rise above an beyond. I believe you have it in you… Stay safe, Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

With 10 jumps you are still on some sort of supervision by USPA rating holders (AFIs and/or Coaches). Learning to reach a level of proficiency piloting a canopy is a daunting task, one of the more difficult we learn in skydiving and I completely appreciate any frustration you may be experiencing, but you are at he very beginning of your journey – be patient, it will come with time. You best bet is to follow directions from those responsible for your training in person… As you can see by the plethora of responses, you will receive a variety of reply’s on the internet from individuals of varying degrees of expertise and none of whom are familiar with the environment, conditions and gear you are using. So what good is asking online for is particular issue? None I’m afraid… At this point in your learning progression you really should be discussing these issues with those at your DZ that are training you and the most familiar with the environment, conditions and gear you are using. - Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Start now... Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

"This wedding dress was made from a nylon parachute that saved the groom's life during World War II (1944)." I did not know they made them from nylon in '44, I thought they were silk. - Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Are there any regulations in Norway? Like in the USPA, after such a long layoff, you would have needed to train and jump with a currently rated USPA instructional rating holder Maybe it’s just what I am used to, but it makes sense to me.. From USPA SIM: A LICENSE USPA A-license holders who have not made a freefall within 60 days should make at least one jump under the supervision of a currently rated USPA instructional rating holder until demonstrating altitude awareness, freefall control on all axes, tracking, and canopy skills sufficient for safely jumping in groups. B LICENSE USPA B-license holders who have not made a freefall skydive within the preceding 90 days should make at least one jump under the supervision of a USPA instructional rating holder until demonstrating the ability to safely exercise the privileges of that license. C AND D LICENSE USPA C and D-license holders who have not made a freefall skydive within the preceding six months should make at least one jump under the supervision of a USPA instructional rating holder until demonstrating the ability to safely exercise the privileges of that license. - Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070510/ap_on_fe_st/odd_pot_brownies_officer DEARBORN, Mich. - A police officer will avoid criminal charges despite admitting he took marijuana from criminal suspects and, with his wife, baked it into brownies. The police department's decision not to pursue a case against former Cpl. Edward Sanchez left a bad taste in the mouth of at least one city official, who vowed to investigate. "If you're a cop and you're arresting people and you're confiscating the marijuana and keeping it yourself, that's bad. That's real bad," said City Councilman Doug Thomas. Sanchez, who resigned last year from the department in this Detroit suburb, declined comment Wednesday to the Detroit Free Press. Police Cmdr. Jeff Geisinger did not return calls seeking comment. The department's investigation began with a 911 call from Sanchez's home on April 21, 2006. On a 5-minute tape of the call, obtained by the Free Press, Sanchez told an emergency dispatcher he thought he and his wife were overdosing on marijuana. "I think we're dying," he said. "We made brownies and I think we're dead, I really do." Sanchez later told police investigators that his wife took the marijuana out of his police vehicle while he was sleeping. In a subsequent interview, he admitted he got the marijuana out of the car himself and put it in the brownie mix, police said. His wife also was not charged. Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Perfectly said! - Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

I miss Jane... Problems with reserves are rare, I hope this story does not sacre anyone into not preformin EP's when they have to because they think their reserve may fail. The odds are stacked in your favor if you trust your reserve when you need to. - Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

This is bred from a huge mistake I see a LOT of skydivers make and that is a lack of continued training in dealing with malfunctions properly. Back when I was in the 500 to 1,000 jump range, I did no yet know how to deal with situations properly and I honestly did not train enough. This is why I train students so fervently, to leave on them an impression of how important training is, and I know most will stop training after acquisition of their A License so I made certain they know their shit before I am done with them... Don’t train enough, and increase the chances of being in a preventable accident by leaps and bounds… - Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

I am in America, dont get out and travel much and have no idea what a ST is..

Please, anyone chime in on this – what is too close to jumpers opening in the subsequent group? 800’? 400’? 300’? 200’? 100’? 50’? 10’??? I am speculating here in creating a scenario: Perhaps the DZO wants to keep additional jump runs to a minimum, I have heard of this before, sacrificing an overkill of safety for saving $$$ for flying time on the airplane… Does it then make sense to worry about tracking perpendicular to jump run on smaller formation skydives? - Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

What does the "spot" have to do with being able to safely land a canopy? Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

That applies anywhere ya go ...

totally. As many times as I have hooked up canopies and preformed linechecks, I still have someone double check my work before I pack it. The first time I skip the double check will probably be the time i need it the most... - Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Congrats! And welcome... I wanted to emphasize this part of your post, now is the time to train even harder than while on student status. Never stop training, and be careful what advice you incorporate into your training cross check and double check everything... - Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

The rule of thumb is: On formations skydives, each jumper should turn 180 degrees from the center of the formation and track away from the formation in a straight line. Why do you suppose the multitudes of skydivers who came before you as well as the USPA came up this? Why do you suppose separation from the group is more important that worrying about separation from subsequent groups? - Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

Never.. I have landed a few times with issues (step through, stuff like that), but they passed multiple control checks and landed safely. My last cutaway and reserve ride was 6 years, and around 2600 jumps ago, so I am due.. I love the quote from Bob in the Breakaway video - "when in doubt, trust your reserve". - Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

close out your 401k, sell everything you own, buy a truck and a camper and live at DZ's while you pilfer off your savings, pack and jump your ass off until you have enough experience to get a tandem, then AFF rating. 10 years later you will be broke and needing to return to the real world so you can start over again. Why wait until you are old and grey to retire, take part of it now while you are still young and can have good times without viagra. ride em hard, put em up wet and use em again before they dry out (whatever "they" are). And what ever you do, most importantly, don't take my advice ... - Mykel AFF-I10 Skydiving Priorities: 1) Open Canopy. 2) Land Safely. 3) Don’t hurt anyone. 4) Repeat…

that would be a good sig line...