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I can't see my handles in free fall or under canopy - buts its not because of the helmet. So I take extra time to practice my EPs by feeling for the handles. A full face helmet is good - if jumping with other people it can protect you from a kick in the face or funneled exits much better than an open face. Its also better insulation during cold weather jumps. I have both an open face and full face and still jump 80% of the time with the full face cause I like to do RW and I can think of 2 instances where I would have had a broken nose without the face shield. Chances are your first jumps are going to be RW and a full face would be the best option. Obviously get one that fits though - if your fighting it in free fall or under canopy its because you didn't get one that fit. Opening up the face shield under canopy can eliminate the 'fog up' and get all distracted stuff mentioned earlier. Jen Arianna Frances

I think you're thinking of Olestra - which has been known to cause stomach upset. Splenda is a no calorie sweetener that is made from sugar - the only ingredients in it are dextrose, maltodextrin and sucralose. It is proudly endoursed by the american diabetes association and me - I use it every day, 2 packets in my double spice chai tea around 10 AM Try this experiment - take a packet of sweet n' low (saccarine) and a packet of Splenda - put a bit of each in your mouth. The SNL will make you gag - it tastes horrible. The splenda on the other hand tastes just like sugar - cause it is Its a much better product that the other no calorie sweetners - HIGHLY endorsed by the medical community. The issue with saccarine is also totally overblown - it caused cancer in lab rats that didn't have a chance to metabolize it, cause they injected them with 1500% their body weight. Well no shit, of course thats going to do bad stuff to you - didn't need to kill animals to tell me that. Jen Arianna Frances

I was able to use a full face prior to having my A, but each DZ is different - I'd ask them. I'm under the impression that there is no documented regulation regarding students using full face, but I could be wrong. Can't hurt to ask your instructors... Jen Arianna Frances

To better understand how the canopy works you should read Brian Germains book, The parachute and its pilot. He does an excellent job of explaining everything (and I mean everything) about canopy flight. You may also want to look into a canopy course once you are cleared to self supervise (I think thats 8 jumps on AFF). Scott Miller offers a fantastic course that I've taken twice and he does travel around the US during the summer offering his courses at DZs that otherwise wouldn't see such a course. I can't recommend him enough! Jen Arianna Frances

Had that happen before - simply look at the toggles before you put your hands in them - bet it won't happen again Or you can do what I just had done - have keepers put on the back of the riser for the excess. Jen Arianna Frances

make a webpage or a blog and put that in your profile. Tons easier than wasting HH resources/time/space. Jen Arianna Frances

At what point does it stop? I'm interested in this, really. I've had similar conversations with folks at my DZ and have wondered what it would take to reduce the risk? Sure, start a pool and go for the shock value - thats one way. But while your at it, why don't you start one on who's going to cause the death of another jumper? Ya know, the guy that doesn't listen and does a 180 in the pattern taking out another jumper? Or the guy who tracks up the line of flight? Maybe I'm just paranoid - but I don't see how starting a pool to see who wins as DGIT of the year when the safety of other jumpers could be/is at stake. I'd had to think that after being talked to 3 or 4 times all that was done was a bunch of folks making money off him. Jen Arianna Frances

OMG April - he's got to be the cutest little guy I've seen in a long time. I bet he loves you so much considering you may have spared him from a very sad fate! Have fun with him - he looks like a luver Jen Arianna Frances

Congrats - so glad to hear you finally got the opportunity Jen Arianna Frances

very cool jump plane! Armrests - ha! Does a stewardess come by with a moist towelette before you jump? Jen Arianna Frances

Great advice guys! You're giving me a bit more confidence I've got some coach dives to this coming weekend then. Jen Arianna Frances

I didn't have this problem in the tunnel - but in the air I'm under the impression (from other low timers, no video ) that I've been backsliding. I'll motion for them to come closer and they say they try, which is leading me to believe that this is something I've taught myself. This is something that will be addressed in my next camp later this year. Guess it'll just take time and patience (which is lacking with me as of late ) Thanks for the input, Jen Jen Arianna Frances

*Jen waves at Rob! When you coming home?* : 4 : 0 4 jumps (danm rain on sunday ) with the 4th being completely surrounded by clouds - most beautiful jump in a long time, so much fun! Got out of owing beer for my first experienced jump from a 182 though Jen Arianna Frances

awww, thats so nice! Happy Birthday!!

Seeing as my first 26 jumps were at Sebastian, and that I'll be at SDLI at the end of next month for their boogie, well - thats good to hear

Why should I have to move when I have built in babysitting with my family? If I moved to someplace away from my family I'm sacrificing much more. Thats not a good idea - family is more important. Jen Arianna Frances

Thats incredibly judgemental - who are you to say how people spend their money? Why should a husband have to change his career (if he doesn't make enough money) so mom can stay home? Marriage is a partnership, it has to be agreed up on in advance. I've seen plenty of relationships where mom works and its wonderful, and I've also seen ones where mom stays home and sits on the couch all day when she could be making money and contributing to the family savings. My best friends husband works as a school psychologist making very little money, but he loves it. SHould he have to get a career for more money just so she can stay home? Thats selfish! Jen Arianna Frances

HUH? Don't you know that when you add more mouths to a dinner table that means more food? In other words, its freakin' expensive having kids - so just merely scrapping by without kids is even worse with them. What do you have against working moms? In the northeast (and southwest) where housing costs over $400,000 you can't not have moms working. Your expectations are stuck in the 50s! Jen Arianna Frances

exactly! Besides, my husband would say I'm too hooked on my cats to allow another human being into the familiy (if ever, actually). Jen Arianna Frances

I agree -- I see nothing wrong with being married years before having kids (and I'm talking 5+). In the meantime you can make more concrete plans (such as buying a home and securing a joint savings) that may not have been possible without the 'permanence' of marriage. Jen Arianna Frances

Holy Crap! I just saw him on TV last night That is very cool! Jen Arianna Frances

Quick question for those of you who are very experienced with both. What have you found are the differences between tunnel flying and skydiving? I've recently discovered a bad habit - falling out of formations. I found I was falling out of formations when I was obviously the lightest one in the group. This is due to my backsliding...alot, and keeping my arms in a mantis that was too close to my body (easiliy fixed). Someone mentioned to me that this can be a problem of learning to fly in the tunnel - the lack of a rig and learning stability can cause back sliding on a regular skydive. Is this true? I find as long as I don't backslide I'm really stable and am frequently a good reference point for folks just learning turns and stuff - a big plus to doing tunnel time. This is an easy problem to fix now that I know about it, but it had me very frustrated for a long time. Jen Arianna Frances

Wings are great... and even though I bought mine used I had a few questions regarding how I was packing and they were GREAT about answering my questions, which surprised me as I bought it used. I don't see myself getting something else. Jen Arianna Frances

I've been turned down for ins. on multiple occassions (danm pre-existing condition clause)- finally got this new job and having ins. that costs me alot of money and has copays higher than anything I've ever heard of. I'm not complaining of course but wanted to point out that sometimes its just plain hard to get ins. even when your trying. Jen Arianna Frances

Things left to do: 1. Run a Marathon 2. Do a Triathalon (if I do #1 ) 3. Buy land, build a house 4. Try skysurfing 5. Have a successful/profitable career 6. Drive across the US 7. Travel to Egypt 8. Travel to Italy 9. Travel to Austria 10. Be there for my family if/when they need me 11.Be there for my friends if/when they need me 12.Keep things exciting in our relationship Jen Arianna Frances