FlyingJ

Overall I think they are great. The only thing I would change is some of the announcers. Al Trautwig is all over the place announcing (gymnastics this year, the Tour de France earlier in the summer) but he never seems to know much about what he is announcing. I understand why NBC has him there, because he is sitting there live asking the kind of questions of the other announcers that many people at home are probably asking. I think that is great in regard to at home viewers understanding what is happening, but I would much prefer if they had someone that knew what was going on simply do a running commentary explaining things rather than some guy sounding like he doesn't understand anything. Anyway, really not much of a complaint. I love watching everything! Killing threads since 2004.

Used to work in the jazz field in NYC and had the opportunity to present and hang out with her on a number of occasions. Always a dream to listen to. Killing threads since 2004.

HA! Yeah, right. By no means do I have skydiving figured out to any degree yet. Reading that again, it isn't quite worded the way I meant it. Really all I meant to say is that scuba freaks me out sometimes knowing that even with all of your gear working correctly it is possible to have some nasty things going on inside of you without really knowing it. Of course that would generally be your fault for poor planning, etc. In my very limited knowledge of skydiving so far I didn't see a similar possibility. Would love to know about it if there is though! Killing threads since 2004.

Got it. Makes SO much sense now! Killing threads since 2004.

I paid $225 for full class, instruction and equipment at a place called Bird's Underwater in Crystal River, FL. In NYC most places charged more than that just for the class and you still had to pay equipment and open water dives, so I just went to Florida and did the whole thing. The people there are absolutely amazing, and very low pressure when it comes to sales, something that I haven't found at a lot of shops. When you are done, they give you three free dives to use in the next year (meaning equipment and a trip out on the boat are all provided, no costs at all). If you are interested in buying your own equipment they will also hook you up with some serious deals. Bird's Underwater - www.birdsdivecenter.com jason. Killing threads since 2004.

Understood the reference. Help me out with the connection to tool announcers. What am I missing? Killing threads since 2004.

Huh? Killing threads since 2004.

Phelps, a loser? Come on, WTF. As for the announcers. Ugh, I don't remember being this annoyed even when John Tesh was an announcer. Al Trautwig (sp?) drives me nuts. I've never heard someone sound so ignorant in so many sports. Outdoor Life Network hired him this year to announce the prime time coverage of the Tour de France. Instead of waiting until prime time I got up every morning at 7:30am to watch the live coverage just so I didn't have to listen to him. I hear that OLN got lots of letters complaining about him. Killing threads since 2004.

What a great first weekend in the sport! Had a wonderful time meeting so many people, and can't wait to get back and finish AFF soon. I look forward to meeting even more of you next month! Killing threads since 2004.

Probably won't work for you since you need a bigger truck, but for others that are looking...If you can fit your stuff in a cargo van check out Enterprise. They have (or had) full size cargo vans for $50/day with unlimited mileage. I had a most amazing friend rent the van in Atlanta and drive to NYC to pick up me and my stuff and return to Atlanta. The clerk at Enterprise knew what we were doing and had nothing to say about it. In the end more was spent on gas than on the rental. Quite a deal considering Uhaul wanted around $1,500 minimum for a one-way. Edited: actually read thread and saw 15-17 foot truck was needed. Killing threads since 2004.

Ugh...just started a new temp job today. I truly under appreciated the last two months of waking up late and just doing work around the house. Alas...savings won't last forever. I guess I'll go back tomorrow. Killing threads since 2004.

Uh...thanks? Killing threads since 2004.

Nope, not me! I agree markd_nscr986. I had a friend that started to get really careless in his planning after starting to dive Nitrox because he had been led to believe by an instructor that sold the course to him as a "dive with this and you'll never have a problem" kind of deal. Like I mentioned above, even though I'm diving with the computer on my arm set to the apropriate O2 mix I usually plan the dive based on air tables for the extra buffer. Killing threads since 2004.

Very excited to to have just made plans to start AFF this weekend at the Farm. From the excitement level on this thread it sounds like this weekend will be an incredible introduction to ALL sides of the sport. Can't wait!!! jason Killing threads since 2004.

Amazing. I had a friend trying to convince me that this was true last night after having quite a bit to drink. I owe him an apology now. Killing threads since 2004.

If you don't want to worry about the bends anymore get NITROX rated. ------------------------------------------ ...VERY true that you should still be careful though. I dive Nitrox but generally consider any time limits as I would for air just to have the extra cushion. The person that said that it is much more of a relaxation thing was right. It's so amazing to just stop and hover in mid-water and take in the surroundings and realize that you are freakin 80ft under water looking at a part of the earth that very few people (in regard to total population) ever get to see. Ahhh...need to get back in the water. Killing threads since 2004.

Good to see so many divers. I got started diving a few years ago, just did a few dives and then nothing more, and then this past winter got back into it. I've had the chance to do about 25 dives since February and hope to be doing some more real soon. The thought of selling scuba gear in order to get started sky diving did cross my mind, but then I thought it through and realized I would just be substituting which hobby I had to rent gear for and not worth it. (besides, my scuba gear is way cool) Managed to find myself a job today so now I'll actually be able to start AFF this weekend at the Farm in Georgia. Can't wait! Killing threads since 2004.

I've never been a vegetarian, but have gone through periods where I might as well have been. In college (I went to an arts conservatory) most of my best friends were all dancers (ballet and modern) many of whom took care of their health to extreme levels. Many ate meat, just in limited quantity, and in addition most of my other friends were vegetarian. Just by default, considering I spent most of my time with them, I ended up eating mostly non-meat items. I will never forget the first time my vegetarian roommate at the time came with me to visit my parents. I told my mom that he was a vegetarian and that we would need to have something suitable and she just couldn't fathom it, to the point of not even understanding how pasta could be made without meat in the sauce. I got a kick out of that. Just moved back to the Atlanta area where my family is, and eat with them a lot. Still trying to get used to the fact that every meal is centered on some big meat dish. I have a number of friends that are vegan. I think it's amazing that they have that kind of ability to limit what they eat. I could never do it though, don't have anywhere near that much willpower. Killing threads since 2004.

I guess it can be easily debated which one is more dangerous, but you know, all that matters is that they both kick ass! I really look forward to moving down to Florida eventually where it will be a little more accessible. Was supposed to have had an AmeriCorps volunteer position in the Keys for a year, but the funding fell through, so now I'm looking throughout the state for another opportunity. Killing threads since 2004.

You are in New York? Ever go to Dutch Springs near Allentown, PA? Just moved from NYC and that's where I did my drysuit training. www.dutchsprings.com if you haven't been there. Nice, very well run quarry. Killing threads since 2004.

I can see that. Skydiving is pretty cut and dry, and relatively low maintenence in regard to what can happen to you. Not to downplay it at all, but shit happens and it's right out in front of you, and once you land and are safe you are done. A mal is a mal and you either fix it or you don't. Scuba can be scary with how many things can be starting to go wrong inside without any warning signs, and if you are careless how something like O2 toxicity or DCS can get you. And for ChaosKitty - no chance of running into sharks (or tuna) in the air. Glad to talk with some other scuba divers...really looking forward to joining the ranks in the air. Killing threads since 2004.

Thanks! I read there once in a while but have never posted. Had a steady dive buddy until just recently when I moved to GA. Just getting started looking for some new buddies. Killing threads since 2004.

Know what you mean. It will probably be a similar situation for me w/ skydiving. I'm going to go strong for a bit but money is going to run out and we'll have to see what happens then. I've got my scuba gear so if I lived somewhere that water was a little more accessible I'd be diving all the time. I plan on moving to Florida sometime in the not-too-distant future to volunteer with AmeriCorps though, so I hope to get plenty of diving in then. Killing threads since 2004.

I've noticed several posts lately that mention SCUBA diving in some respect. Just curious how many skydivers here also SCUBA dive. Did one in anyway lead you to the other? Are there many people with instructor ratings in the air that also have them underwater? Underwater I have my AOW, EAN and drysuit, and plan on doing Rescue and Intro to Cavern/Cave in the next couple months. In the air...well I start AFF this weekend (which, if I think reali$tically, means that the Rescue and Cavern/Cave classes probably won't be happening quite that soon). Would especially like to connect with any SCUBA divers in the Atlanta area interested in doing some quarry or spring diving. Killing threads since 2004.

Doesn't really pertain to this specific instance, but as a general rule also take into consideration rise of elevation on land. 2nd hand I know of a guy that got himself into some trouble planning on scuba first and then skydiving two days later, with a day or so long drive inbetween. Decided to make the long drive instead of a short flight in order to avoid sitting around while offgassing. Didn't think about the fact that the drive took him from sea level up into the mountains. Plan might not have been great, but my understanding is that he was a smart guy and noticed the symptoms of potential DCS and took appropriate action. Don't know any specifics, but I'll see if I can find out from where to where he was going and to what altitude he drove. Just be careful. Killing threads since 2004.