kkeenan

It seems that there is always the option of using a canopy other than a pocket rocket when it's time for the night jump. That would probably increase the safety margin. But then there's the horrible, debilitating disgrace of upsizing. What self-respecting 100-jump wonder of a wannabee swooper could ever survive that embarrassment? Better to go in doing a night 270, than walk away from landing a student canopy. Kevin K. _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?

I got this one to celebrate the 30th anniversary of my 1st jump. It is the emblem of "Them ToadSuckers", a brotherhood of CRW jumpers. Great if you do CRW. Or suck Toads... _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?

It's that winning smile of yours. _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?

Gotta make room for 'Them ToadSuckers". _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?

Nice post, Nick. It's good to hear the inside stories from the steely-eyed professionals in the business. I've heard military Flight Instructors describe their work as, "The only job in the military where the enemy is in the cockpit with you". _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?

I'm not sure what would be the benefit of this unless you're a bill collector. _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?

I've been using Pandora a lot at home. The iPhone version doesn't seem to run as cleanly, but it's still a great site. Once you get it set up, it's like listening to a radio station that only plays music you like. _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?

Any iPhone users out there using the new applications ? Are there any favorites you can recommend ? Kevin _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?

I think Nick's post was a good cultural insight from someone who's been around long enough to see the changes in the sport. Sure, a lot of good skydivers have started with Tandem jumps. However, here is a thought about what has changed. Before Tandem, when people were required to jump solo, those who "could never do that", simply didn't. There was no alternative. There was something different about those who actually made that first solo jump. Not all of those went on to become skydivers, but some did. None of the others ever made the first jump, so none became skydivers. Whatever trait existed in people that allowed that first jump was in all skydivers. That has changed. Now, people who, "could never do that", make a Tandem. Some of them go on to become skydivers. They do not have the "First Jump Solo" trait. In the past, all jumpers had this trait and now, due to the availability of Tandem, only some do. I know that I don't have to invite critical analysis of this theory - it's a given. Any of us who have been around for a while can tell that the sport has changed - in both positive and negative ways. I think that the changes and their causes are complicated and probably defy simple analysis, but it's interesting to discuss. Kevin K. _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?

On one of my early cutaways, I had the poor judgement to neglect this step. I ended up with the apex of the round reserve (the apex consisted of a shitload of lines which come together in a wad) hung up on a Capewell cover. I spent a bit of time in freefall, towing the reserve pilot chute, until I saw and cleared it. That's a memory that is very clear after 30+ years. Needless to say, I was very happy to see the 3-Ring system come along. Heed the advice about the training and the suspended harness. Kevin K. _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?

After the manefest person told you to go pound sand, did you then speak with the DZO, who had told you that you could jump there ? Kevin _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?

These are malfunctions that must be dealt with very quickly, as they usually place you at low altitude and high speed. The only way to successfully execute EPs in time is to have a fully-formed plan already worked out in your mind and when you recognize the mal, instantly run your pre-programmed EP. If you take time to recognize the mal, think about the options, explore the relative pro-con analysis, formulate a plan of action, etc., you will run out of time and die. It's that simple. It has, unfortunately, been demonstrated many times. There is a lot to think about with these malfunctions. You need to do all of that thinking on the ground. You need to do all of the soul-searching that comes with evaluating tough choices during a time when you can calmly think about those choices. Then, when you have decided on a certain course of action for a particular set of circumstances, commit that set of procedures to memory and commit yourself to doing that without stopping to second-guess. You can read all about what the actual choices are. The important thing is doing that thinking and deciding on the ground, not passing 1500' with doubts about what to do. The fact is that any malfunction could occur on any jump. I would advise you not to put on a parachute again until you have settled this in your mind and know what you are going to do if faced with this on your next jump. Kevin _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?

From the sound of your post, you are pretty much unimpressed with skydiving and want to be spoon-fed your next level of excitement. If you're not motivated enough to talk to real people about what the sport has to offer, but rather want your instructions dictated to you via the internet, then I would advise you to find a new passtime. Only my opinion, of course, but that opinion is that judging from your words, you don't have the interest to safely persue skydiving. Kevin Keenan _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?

Well, unfortunately, there's sure no chance of that statement showing up on the skydiving side. So, to Nick's supersticious ass, I say, "Have fun". All the rest of you, be careful. Kevin K. _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?

From a practical point of view, there have been mains (and reserves) that have been successfully deployed after 20+ years in a pack. There is no requirement to record or track the packing dates of a main, so no real way to check the repack cycle. I hate packing, so if it's in there, I'm sure as hell not unpacking it unless I'm in freefall. Or maybe if I see a wiggling rat tail sticking out of the container when I pull it out of the closet. _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?

You mean a dozen or so Red Bulls throughout the day ?? _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?

Here comes another weekend. The season is heating up and there have been more accidents than I can remember recently. Every weekend, a whole new crop are posted. We all spend the week trying to figure out what all happened to our friends, then, before you know it, it's Friday and you just know what's coming - more accidents. Please take time this weekend to think and look around and be extra aware. Please remember that your next jump may be the one where you miss something, where you relax a little too much, or where your buddy does the same. You never know when you will have to perform to the limit of your ability just to stay alive. Enjoy the Blue Skies, but remember that Black Death is an inescapable part of this sport. Try to see events coming just a little bit sooner. That's the definition of Safety - avoiding situations before they become threatening. Every weekend, the Incidents Forum has been popping like a stock market ticker. Let's try to slow this down. The life you save may be your own - or, more importantly, mine. Peace, Kevin K. _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?

A great exercise that will actually build your skill is to practice the old "style series". Get stable and pick out a landmark on the horizon as your heading reference. Then do a 360 degree turn, stopping as close to your original heading as possible. Do a 360 the other way, stopping, again, on your heading. Then a backloop, coming out on your heading. Repeat this, only reverse the turns. Get to where you can repeat this routine twice - as fast and as precisely as possible. Check your altitude after each series. It's easy to do a half-assed job of it and say it's good enough. Or you can really work at the speed and precision. First the precision - Take your time stopping/starting exactly on heading. Then speed it up, keeping the precision. This is actually an international competition event, and the folks who are good at it can do it in the blink of an eye - perfectly on heading. It's certainly fun to do useless stuff for the hell of it, but if you actually try to learn something new on each jump, you will find that 100 jumps from now you are much more competent than many jumpers you started with. Use the same philisophy with canopy control. Get a copy of "The Parachute and its Pilot", by Brian Germain. It's full of great info. If you always try to learn and ask questions, you will stay safe and get good at what you are doing. Kevin K. _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?

Quite a bit different from the Clewiston incident. It's been 1-1/2 weeks now, and nothing but second-hand info. This has done nothing but fuel speculation and arguements. _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?

I surely don't want to fuel your paranoia, but this sport is, above all else, about self-reliance. You need to understand that YOU are responsible for your own well-being. Your instructor may fail to help you, your AAD may not notice when you get low. None of these things should be relied upon to put a parachute over your head before you hit the ground. I think it's more helpful to think through all of your procedures until you are convinced that you know them and can take care of yourself, rather than think of all the external things that can save you. Concentrate on visualizing successful completion of all the steps needed for a successful jump, including the steps needed in emergencies. Get to where you can see yourself, in detail, completing every step. When you have all of this comfortably imbedded in your memory, you can execute the jump by executing the steps, knowing what will come next and being ready for it. Knowledge and planning will replace the fear. I hope this helps. Kevin K. _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?

You're damn right. My hand almost got frostbite pouring that beer on you. Congratulations. Kevin SCR-3022 _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?

So the message is: If you want "nothing but the facts", go to the Incidents Reports page. Everyone who is complaining about the Incidents Forum knows how much BS is there, has always been there, and will continue to be there. You can't change it by continually complaining about the traits of human nature that cause people to ask stupid questions and post needless speculation. I happen to believe that the questions and speculation serve a purpose. But if you don't share that belief, then don't read it. Kevin K. _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?

I never said that Roger was a "bad" person. I do, however, object to the myopic view of many of his admirers (a lot of whom never knew him and never set foot at SDC while he was alive). When the mere mention of a negative fact brings "threats" from some 50-jump wonder, I think that's wrong. Roger was not perfect. There is no Easter Bunny. Will the mention of these facts get my ass kicked at SDC ? Roger Nelson accomplished a lot in his life. He advanced the art of skydiving and imparted his knowledge to a great many people. He was an organizer who could inspire outstanding performance from groups of individuals. I, too, will be interested in reading his book. However I feel that, like most of us, Roger would not go to great lengths to elaborate on his mistakes and weaknesses. Now that he's gone, those who stand to profit from his legacy can certainly be expected to downplay these aspects in the editing of his story. Kevin Keenan _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?

Seriously, dude you might wanna watch what you say around here... I guess there's still some of that Kool-Aid left at SDC. So, are you guys going to track down anyone who doesn't show the proper respect ? It amazes me how tight some folks can get make their blinders. Just because you're too young to know the facts doesn't mean they don't exist. I want to read the part about turning in friends to the Feds for decreased prison time. Kevin Keenan _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?

Yes, you probably are. But it is way easier to criticize the work of others than to produce any actual contribution of your own. So, let's see your contribution to skydiving safety so we can appreciate how much less lame it is. Got nothing?? What a surprise. Kevin Keenan _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?