OnYourBack

>Not true at all. Having good schools, health care, and food is socialist? Making sure that children have those basic necessities, regardless of who there parents are, or how lazy their parents choose to be is not socialist. I'm curious if that would fix the problem or not. In the military all the men of a particular unit will go to the same schools together, eat the same food together and see the same doctors together. Do they all come out with the same knowledge and ambition? Not even close in my experience. Some will do extremely well and others will lag miserably.

Does anyone happen to know or know where to find out what the crime rate is in China?

I agree, ban the carts and also pass laws that require a full face helmet when shopping since it might have saved that poor mans face.

I do think you and Remster are right regarding significant others. Cash is probably not a good substitute for Valentines Day gifts. I thought we were discussing tipping in the relationship of a TI and student whom I will, statistically speaking, most likely know for an hour tops and never see again. Personally, if a student or their mother feels I have gone above and beyond and wants to give me a little something (although I never expect it or ask for it), I would most prefer a little cash to a beer or bottle of licquor because I don't drink.

>But I wouldn't hand them cash. A gift and tipping are very different. I'm just curious, how do you see them as different? It seems to me your giving something (cash or gift) in appreciation for a service. How is one really different from the other?

We were just talking about this the other day at the dz. Whenever you go whitewater rafting or any other sort of guided outdoor sport, tipping is always encouraged. I think its because when you sign the paperwork they tell you, "if you like your guides work, don't be afraid to tip them." Or they have signs up that say the same thing. If you want more tips get your manifest person to encourage it.

>You must have missed the part where I say "The chances of getting away with it are SLIM" I saw the part where you said SLIM, in fact I included it in your quote. >See I'm not telling them to do it...In fact in an earlier post I say its a stupid idea that has killed others. I read the whole thread and I agree that it is a stupid idea that has killed some people and in this case a very experienced canopy pilot. However, I also agree with Bill. You can tell people that it is a stupid idea, that people have died trying it, that your chances are "SLIM" and there will still be some kid with 75 jumps who thinks he's God's gift to skydiving who will try it. I don't think that talking about the best ways to do it, as long as you include the disclaimer "its a terrible and potentially fatal idea but if your going to do it do it you might want to think about this," is a bad idea. At least now the kid who is going to try it has seen some ideas that might make it potentially safer. Again let me reiterate though, IT'S A BAD IDEA!

>"Telling people how to do it is another." You mean like this? - >"You can catch it by the pilot chute and it will not inflate. However the chances of you getting it that way are SLIM."

Took a sunrise 3 way to about 1500 before the camera man dumped and clued us to look at our altimeters. I was in the saddle at about 800. Luckily I had forgotten to turn on the cypress in the student rig I had borrowed. I had a couple hundred jumps and the other 2 and camera guy had a thousand or better each. They figured I would be keeping track, and I thought they would be. Many lessons learned by all that morning.

>Give me 6 months to get a clue and lots of Q&A time with you riggers and I'd do the same if the need still exists. Thats a great idea. Come up with "kelpdiver's gear go over." Then get it out to as many people as possible. That is the way I would like to see change come about. Just don't make a new rule. Man, I'm starting to think I have a complex regarding authority or something.

>You miss the point. How do I know what I don't know? I apologize I wasn't trying to state that I knew what you knew. >It's easy to say new jumpers should be responsible, but it's also a bit of a copout. I don't see what I'm copping out of. I love to help people learn in skydiving. I will answer any question asked or find the answer for them. What I'm trying to say is that while I agree that there are a lot of people who probably need more gear training to be as safe as they could be, I don't think the best way to do it is to assign another rule or required class or merit badge. The information people need is readily available already. There are opportunities to learn all around, but you have to look.

"Without a guide (or a fairy), they're likely to get 60-80% of the information they need." There are plenty of guides: SIM Owners Manual Proficiency Card Riggers Instructors Up Jumpers DZ Friends Parachutist DZ.com Why does someone have to make you do it. Do you have to have a test looming to make you study something you enjoy. Maybe thats the problem. Its fun to make jumps and learn more about flight but most people hate packing and crawling around in the hanger when there is fun stuff going on outside so they neglect that aspect of the sport. Take responsibility for yourself.

If you like the sport, seek all the information you can get. Don't wait around for the "information fairy" to come find you and teach you stuff. Amen!

I agree that most people need to know more about their gear. After spending years as a packer and now a rigger I see many who don't know how to do simple maintenance. I am not sure that the blame should be cast on the dz's or uspa(or international counterpart). The information is out there and not very hard to find. Instead of dropping your rig on a packer and running out to brag about how many points you almost got, how about asking some questions. I don't think I have ever heard a rigger tell someone to "get lost" if you asked them how to do something. As someone already said in this forum its not rocket science by any means. You don't have to set up a formal classroom to spread information. Take responsibility for educating yourself.

I had a student hit me on the chin during the landing once. When I said stand up, he planted his feet and shot straight up hitting me in the chin. I almost bit the tip of my tongue off. Wearing a full face helmet might have helped me but it would be hard to communicate with students like that. No other helmet on me or the student would have done anything.

My apologies to Windsor, his sarcasm is evident to me now. Regulations make me jumpy. JE, I am working but I have extra time in my day now that I buy the good smokes.

Make safety the law! I wonder if you think it should be against the law to run with scissors in your hand. Do you truly believe that is the job of government. I personally do not want the government deciding what I can and cannot do regarding my own personal safety as long as I'm not endangering others. And, where do you draw the line with a policy like that.

sducoach rules his courses with an iron fist doesn't he. Congrats and thanks for the catches.

Survivors can sue despite a waiver Court permits action in scuba diving death Tuesday, April 13, 2004 BY KATHY BARRETT CARTER Star-Ledger Staff For years, companies that sponsor higher risk activities such as scuba diving and skydiving have asked participants to sign waivers designed to absolve them from lawsuits if injury or death results. Yesterday, a state appeals court declared those release forms do not bar relatives from filing a wrongful death lawsuit. A three-judge panel made its decision in the case of the late Assistant Essex County Prosecutor Eugene J. Pietroluongo, 44, of Orange, who died in a scuba diving accident in Pennsylvania three years ago. It cleared the way for Pietroluongo's 13-year-old daughter, his sole heir, to sue the Regency Diving Center in Millburn. The court said while Pietroluongo had the power to sign away his right to sue, the law did not allow him to sign away the rights of his survivors to bring a wrongful death lawsuit. It said such an agreement, "like any contract, can only bind the individuals who signed it." Attorneys said yesterday that the decision yesterday sets new rules and could result in more lawsuits. "This is the first reported case in New Jersey dealing with this particular issue," said Michael J. Barrett, the Woodbridge lawyer representing Pietroluongo's daughter. "Now that it is clear what the rules are, those engaged in recreational activities know what they are dealing with." Larry Zucker, who serves as counsel to the New Jersey Amusement Association, said many companies require patrons to sign release forms. Zucker said he did not think the fallout from the court decision would be far-reaching because very few accidents are fatal. "Thank God, death actions are very rare," said Zucker. "This is not your typical situation. I don't think it'll have a big impact or create any additional exposure or liability in the amusement industry." Costas Prodromou, the owner of the Regency Diving Center, declined to comment on the ruling. His attorney, Judith A. Wahrenberger, did not return calls yesterday. Pietroluongo went to the Regency Diving Center for advanced diving training. He signed a waiver agreeing that the diving school would not be liable for "any injury, death, or other damages to me or my family, heirs, or assigns that may occur as a result of my participation in this diving class or as a result of negligence of any party." Pietroluongo died on July 17, 2001, while scuba diving along with Prodromou, another instructor and a student. The dive took place at Dutch Springs Quarry, an old cement quarry that was turned into a diving park in Bethlehem, Pa. An experienced diver, Pietroluongo had been scuba diving since 1984. The other student, who was less experienced, had some problems during the dive. When the two instructors brought that diver to the surface, they lost sight of Pietroluongo and were unable to find him. The next evening Pietroluongo's body was found in 66 feet of water with an ample supply of air in his tank and equipment in working order. The medical examiner ruled his death an accidental drowning. Bonnie Gershon, Pietroluongo's ex-wife, brought a lawsuit on behalf of the couple's daughter. "He was not married, but he had one child, and what the court held is that Mr. Pietroluongo could not sign away her rights," said Barrett. "That would be unfair and contrary to the wrongful death statute." Barrett said the ruling would take effect after a person dies and family members claim economic loss. Affirming the lower court, the appeals panel said Pietroluongo's agreement with Regency is "unenforceable." Noting that wrongful death lawsuits are often brought when "breadwinners" die, the court said: "Our Legislature declared that a just society has both a moral and economic responsibility to ensure that those who are found civilly liable for the death of a person are required to compensate the heirs of that person." The decision was written by Appellate Division Judge Jose L. Fuentes and joined by Judges Dorothea Wefing and Donald G. Collester Jr.

A little extra work yes but not that big a deal. The only tirck to them is the way you have to feed the pull up cords through the Cypress cutters since the t-bods won't fit. Its just like a Reflex basically.

QuoteAlways be prepared to cutaway. You say, "In my mind someone who has 2000 jumps and no cutaways has less experience than someone who does have cutaways." but then you say "I don't think there's anything to learn from having or not having cutaways." I'm confused.

You can look at the 2004 SIM on the USPA website I think.

I took a passenger last year that had prosthetic arms from the elbow down with the pinching metal hooks for hands. We had no troubles. Spent a little extra time in the briefing but had no troubles in the dive. It'll ultimately be up to the individual TM though so just ask.

It wouldn't matter one bit to my mom if I always wore a full suit of armor, had two cypresses and an altimeter on both wrists, always deployed by five grand and never flew less than 300 square feet in less than 5 mph wind. To her if you leave the ground your unnecessarily risking your life. Know your limits, study hard to expand them. For anyone to call it crazy to jump without a helmet and cypress, I say to you like I say to my mom about jumping, "then don't do it." There is no shame in following your instincts. However, don't place limitations on me because I'm operating outside of your comfort zone. Not that you were suggesting rules. This thread just got me to thinking.

I'm thinking about booking a ticket right now, it looks like a great place to be.