peregrinerose

I'm sorry if my posts came across as this. DZ policy is what it is, I have to adhere to that... it's not my DZ. As I said before, I don't mind doing it. With regards to numbers 2-4, any packer who does any of those should be fired. As Strato said, packers are a dime a dozen... it's true. I can be replaced in a heartbeat and know it. I can't speak to other packers, but I consider ANY less than ideal open a personal failure on my part and beat myself up over it. With regard to 5.. the order at our DZ is tandems, then instructors, student/rental gear, sport rigs. No exceptions to that. Of sport rigs, I typically pack for those with 2 rigs as a lower priority, but I bust my ass to make sure that nobody waits for very long for a rig and those with 2 rigs have at least one packed. With regard to 6 and 7... how is there no accountability? If you don't like my pack job, don't pay me to pack for you. If a packer I was supervising did anything unsafe or unethical, I would not let them be working under my riggers' ticket. If anyone believed I did anything unsafe or unethical, my ass should be fired on the spot. Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

Yep, we are stuck with him.... Kyle's like a kid brother to my husband and I now... I can't imagine our little corner of the world without him in it any more. None of us as packers have ever cried about setting brakes... I don't set the DZ policy, I just play by their rules... I like being a packer, so try to keep the DZO happy by following his rules. Like I said before, I don't care either way, but the DZ is much more profitable if I have that extra 50 minutes a day, which is why it's his policy, most likely. I only cop an attitude when jumpers give me a holy hairball of shit to straighten out because they thought it might be fun to step through lines. So, when Kyle was there, did he spend more time talking than packing? The only whining I ever hear from him is at the end of the day when he sees that Chad and I made twice as much as he did... not because we pack faster, but because we don't interrupt our packing time by chatting with everyone when it's busy

I am not the religious right. Hell, I'm not religious at all, and I would not want this vaccine to be manditory. It doesn't make any sense for it to be manditory... it does not prevent cervical cancer... only prevents two types of HPV that have been linked to cervical cancer (and there more than 2 that have been linked to it). To me the risk outweighs the benefit, I want the right to make that decision. I also think that those who believe the benefit outweighs the risk should have the right to easily access the vaccination. Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

The deaths from cervical cancer are primarily due to lack of pap smears and medical care. Even the American Cancer Society considers it a preventable cancer. Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

Actually you cited Thomas as proof rather than saying that you have no proof. Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

I agree that it is your right and obligation to question. It's your body, your health, you call the shots. Your doctor should not be paid for drug Rx's, he should be paid for information that you then use to work with the doc to determine the best course of treatment (whether rx'd meds or something else). Look how many drug companies get sued over side effects that are clearly stated on the label yet people for some reason get surprised if it happens to them and turn around and sue. People need to make educated decisions. Unfortunately, most people don't care enough to educate themselves. Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

I didn't say surgery was better or worse than any other option.... someone posted that surgery doesn't prevent cancer, in some cases it does by removing specific lesions (not an entire organ) that often turn to cancer. Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

Surgery can prevent cancer... it removes lesions that have a risk of turning into cancer... cell dysplasia in cervical cancer, polyps in colon cancer. Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

True. Can you believe that we were actually looking at pictures of his turd in a nice steakhouse over dinner? A couple of us girls were trying to decide what 'recipes' to use to top his production. Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

I actually recommend herbal/vitamins to patients in some cases. Ocuvite, a multivitimin, for example, has been shown to slow the progression of dry to wet macular degeneration. Omega 3 is great for dry eye in some patients with blepharitis (women past 40, most commonly). Multivitamins in general are good to slow down the progression of cataracts. I don't give antibiotics unless there is an actual bacterial infection. I don't give meds for viral conjunctivitis (except herpes infections that are potentially blinding). There really are docs out there who aren't drug happy and are willing to spend the time to educate their patients. Find one... it's worth the work and time it takes interviewing docs. Have a family doc that you have a good relationship with and see for regular physicals, just so if something serious is wrong, you have someone that you already trust and have a relationship with. Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

Walt, I've done no CRW at all, but my goal for this year is to get started. If you don't mind teaching a total CRW virgin a thing or two, I'd be happy to give it a whirl if I have time (I'm packing for the tandem concession). PLEASEPLEASEPLEASE go to Dublin, I'd love to run into you again!!! That dinner at CSS was so much fun!! And bring Greg with you!!! Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

I could use a little cheering, though I have lost 6 lbs in the last month, and that was including getting off to a bit of a slow start due to a trip to Eloy. Shit it's hard to be good with the food when everyone else is gorging! But here are some pictures of me from a couple of years ago, weighing 225lbs, and 2 from 2 weeks ago in AZ weighing 149. Take note of the hot pink furry helmet in the last picture. Should any of you have pelt envy, I'll be inducting new pelt head members in Dublin!!!!!!! Jen Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

Are you talking of homeopathic treatments with the insanely diluted amounts or more things like herbals or vitamins? What people often think is 'it's natural, therefore it can't hurt me' without really thinking this through. Everything that is bioactive in any way can cause as much good as bad. Look at so many of the drugs we use that come from nature... opiates, penicillins, even the drops I use to dilate eyes is a form of Belladonna. But all of those herbals and vitamins can interact with medications, cause allergic reactions/adverse reactions, or have side effects. Echinacea, for example, is good for the immune system. But in people predisposed to autoimmune disease, echinacea can make things much worse. Vitamin E is great, but combine it with aspirin or coumadin, and you can have internal bleeding. Betacarotene is healthy, but smoke and take betacarotene (even in food) and you just increased your chances of lung cancer. Even belladonna or related pupil dilators can cause closed angle glaucoma attacks in people disposed to that. The placebo effect is very strong... if the very dilated things are working for you, great, but give the credit where it belongs... your own immune system and the placebo effect. Jen Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

You're arguing eye care with an eye doctor If you go through the med books, ICD-9 codes, etc, there is no such diagnosis of 'pink eye'. It's a lay person's term invented by some well meaning family doc in ages past. I hate the term. It's meaningless and confuses people. Not all red eyes are conjunctivitis. Most people/docs/schools consider 'pink eye' viral. Some consider 'pink eye' conjunctivitis. Many other consider 'pink eye' anything that makes the eye look red. It's a descriptor, not a diagosis. Closed angle glaucoma looks like pink eye, but can cause blindness permanently and quickly if not treated. Cellulitis can also look like pink eye, but can potentially kill you if not treated properly. Corneal abrasions will also cause the eye to turn red, so will any corneal infection (including herpes, again potentially blinding if not treated). Iritis causes the eye to turn red, that can cause glaucoma if untreated, as well as more significant issues. Endophthalmitis is another one, the eye may be lost completely if that one isn't treated properly and labelled as 'pink eye'. None are 'conjunctivitis' but all are 'pink eyes'. I wasn't expecting to get into a full dissertation on eye care here, that's why I went with the standard generic pink eye of the viral form that spreads very quickly through schools, etc. Though it's benign, so I'm not sure why it causes such panic attacks in people. You wouldn't believe the things I've seen called pink eye, the misdiagnoses, the mistreatments, and long term issues all because of that stupid term. Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

Pinkeye, as called by family docs, is viral. Unfortunately, the general public, and sometimes even the doc, calls everything that makes the eye red pink eye. Just like they call every headache a migraine. Doesn't make it true. There is no such diagnosis of pink eye. It means 'your eye is red, I don't know why, so I'm going to give you an antibiotic and hope it goes away.' I've seen closed angle glaucoma attacks called 'pinkeye' by family docs and treated with antibiotics. I've seen actual pink eye (viral) mistreated with steroid drops and that's just a mess to have to try to fix. Family docs/ ER docs don't know what they don't know when it comes to eyes, it's scary. I hate the term pink eye, drives me nuts. Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

Pinkeye is viral, it goes away all by itself in 3-7 days Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

I am a rigger too If it's a slow day, I honestly don't care if the person sets brakes or not, it's something I check anyway, the extra minute doesn't matter. The only reason I enforce it on a slow day is so jumpers are used to the routine and I don't have to waste time explaining it when it's busy. If it's a busy day, 1 minute per pack job of setting brakes and collapsing pilot chutes times 50+ pack jobs in the day, that's almost an hour of time... it adds up, so really does make a huge difference. In that 45-50 extra minutes, I could pack quite a number of rigs... which is money in the DZO's pocket if it's a tandem or instructor rig. That's probably why it's the DZO's policy. It's something jumpers should be doing when they land anyway, so I don't understand why anyone would take issue with it. In 2 years as packer, I don't think anyone has ever complained about it. I always cock pilot chutes myself. I also check it 3 times every pack job (when I do it, right before I close the container, and right before I fold the pilot chute). I also check brakes twice... when I lay out the rig and before putting it in the container regardless of who set them. This rigger says that if you were attitudy with me as packer, your rig would sit there until the brakes were stowed If you were clearly busy as instructor and dropping rigs and were nice to me, I'd have no problem setting brakes for you even though it's against DZ policy. Without even giving you (much of) a hard time. If you are a fun jumper not going crazy with work, there is no reason you can't stow your own brakes, so I don't bend the rules there. Unless you are Rocky. Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

Kyle, 'wore' is spelled 'whore'! And you didn't mention that you don't set brakes either (except student rigs), as that is the DZ policy I wasn't argueing, and to my knowledge, neither was Strato... we both said what we thought, that was it. From his posts here, he seems like someone I'd love to meet in person (from other threads). And we both know that I'm such a whore that Rocky is allowed to not set brakes... he's the only one that I let get away with that. In the past 2 years as packer, the people who bitch about setting brakes are the same people that bitch that their rig isn't done quickly enough for them. Oh well. I pack according to DZ policy, I do my job well (and so do you!), and we haven't really had any unhappy customers. Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

Then your rig would sit there for a reaaaaalllly long time waiting to get packed. I'll do it for you once if you don't know the policy, after that, it just sits there until it's done I do check the brakes though, it amazes me the creative ways that supposedly experienced jumpers will try to set brakes, or only set one brake just for shits and giggles. I always set mine as soon as I land. Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

If you've never pulled your cutaway on the ground, how will you know how it feels to do so when you really need it? When I do a reserve repack, I make the rig owner simulate a malfunction... throw, chop, reserve (with RSL disconnected). It's astounding how many people have never pulled their own handles. There's nothing magical about how a cutaway system works. Next time the weather sucks, spend some time with your friendly rigger. Most love to teach things like this. Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

Ask whoever your supervising rigger or the DZO if they want you to teach students to set brakes. Personally, I teach them as soon as they graduate AFF, some sooner, depends on the student. And anyone that hands me a holy hairball of line without damn good reason hears about it from me too Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

Are you going to be working only with autistic children or special needs children as a whole? Those are two entirely different ballgames just because there's a lot more to special needs than just autism. My sister-in-law is a special ed teacher in Pittsburgh, I can give you her contact information if you are interested. Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

It's my thought that a person should be proficient enough to be able to recognize that a problem exists. If a person isn't familiar with their own gear (including toggles/brake lines), they can't track wear or pick up anything that might be an issue. If your car makes a funny noise, you may not be able to fix it, but you can say 'hey, something's not right, time to take it to a mechanic to check'. If you are keeping an eye on your own lines, harness, and canopy, know what it is supposed to look like and how it is supposed to work, it gives enough of a knowledge base to say 'hey, something's not right with this, time to ask a rigger to check it for me.' Not every jumper needs to be able to reline a canopy or pack a reserve, but they should know the basics of what 'normal' looks like and what normal function is. For someone to have 900 jumps but not have enough familiarity with what 'normal' is on their own rig to be able to figure out how to remove a toggle without involving scissors really surprised me. Parachute systems are not so complicated that a jumper can't be familiar with all the major parts of a rig. I'd hope that every jumper watches at least one repack of their own reserve and pulls their handles for every reserve repack.... just one more way to learn their own gear. Riggers are friendly people and easily bribed with beer. All the riggers I've ever come across have been happy to teach to those who want to learn. Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

I did it with 48.something seconds left. Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

I bought a rig for my husband from Nova Scotia, we had no problems with shipping UPS from there to PA. Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda