NWFlyer

Good questions, and a nice additional level of detail to consider... and prompted me to RTFM again, which I hadn't in a while. 1) if you are in an upright position because your main parachute is in the process of deployment and you are low (long swivel...), at what altitude and speed a Cypres and a Vigil will fire if you go thru the firing altitude ? If my Vigil (set in Pro mode) still registers me at being at a speed greater than 78mph at 840 ft (snivelly canopy or not), it will fire. 2) You have an airplane emergency at say 1300 feet (that happens generally soon after take off), in a hurry you hit the airplane door frame and get unconscious, how the AADs, Cypres, Vigil or Argus will handle that kind of situation? I'm likely to get a canopy over my head since the Vigil goes into active mode (arms itself) at 150 feet. 3) Do you know the 7 parameters of the Cypres? No, but I own a Vigil. For those who always open at 3500 feet, congratulations but in some circumstances are you sure you will always be able to do it? I don't always throw out at 3500. I've started participating in larger formations where lower pulls are expected depending on where you are in the breakoff sequence, so I have pulled considerably lower than 3500. But I know the opening characteristics of my main and its level of consistency to how low I could go before I feel I need to go straight to silver before I risk a two out. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

I've only been treated once for something skydiving-related and that was no problem (and I didn't lie about it). I had employer-sponsored coverage, no listed exclusions. But then again, the overall bills were relatively low (under 10K). I have no idea if things would get more complex or be challenged if the costs were much higher. But it's one of the reasons I'm paying a lot more right now for COBRA coverage rather than individual coverage while I'm out of work. But if you've read your certificate of coverage and there's no exclusions for skydiving - I think you're more likely to put yourself in a bad situation by lying about the reason for your accident, because then maybe they can try to accuse you of fraud or something ... "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

It is WAY too easy to sue over here. As scary as it sounds, I can honestly believe that situation. I'm glad that she's not sueing the dz.... but I do hope that she gets what she needs to recover. Sadly, so can I. Tera probably has valid claims to make that her insurance company (or companies) should pay out. However, our insurance system is so complex and stacked against the individual claimant that we often have to get lawyers involved just to be sure that we can get legitimate claims paid. A good personal injury lawyer should be helping her file a claim with her insurance company or companies, not go after every possible deep pocket. I'm very glad to hear that this has been dismissed just as quickly as it came up. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

If you're talking about doing an intentional water jump without water training - the thing is that with most planned jumps over or near water (whether they're beach jumps where everyone intends to land on the sand or lake jumps where people plan to take a swim) you won't be allowed to do them till you have water training (B license is generally a requirement). So in this day and age you will most likely be jumping in a pool (or lake or swoop pond) with ratted out gear before you do any kind of water landing, unless it is one that is quite unintentional (and those are often ugly situations like some DZs I've been to where a very bad spot coupled with some bad decision making could put you in a river. Not a fun water landing.) "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Damn, Spence, trade her in already. And that damn dog of yours, too. You're 40 now... it's about time for your midlife crisis and brand-new models of everything ... wife, canine, RV, golf cart. Better get off dz.com and get busy. You've got a lot of work to do - none of that comes cheap. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

The only waving I wanna see, is the waving of beer filled hands, attached to smiling faces ... Will you be holding walkmonauti lessons again? "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Just for the day, Perris on Sunday. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

I'll be around this Saturday (5/24). "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Mmm... tingly. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

She might, though. Didn't the Crack Choir sing a song about that last year? Oh yeah, I wrote that one... So kiss me and smile for me Tell me that you'll jump with me But I don't think I could fuck you one more time Cuz I'm leavin' on a jump plane I doubt that I'll be back again Oh babe, I have to go "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

If it gets to the point where it's chronic, talk to your doc about allergies. I had that for like a month and finally went to my doc - turned out I have allergic rhinitis. Got prescribed Flonase (steroid nasal spray) and I am no longer verklempt. And I tried everything over the counter - cough suppressants, allergy meds, decongestants, gargling with salt water - nothing worked. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

In my case, when I said "turn it on and forget about it" I meant that I never skydive as if the AAD is there to save my life. If I feel like a skydive is too risky for me without an AAD, I'm not going to get on it with one, either. But you do make a good point about being aware of its firing parameters and being prepared to make decisions that take into account those firing parameters. One possible outcome of "forgetting" about your AAD is a 2-out. My pull altitude is high enough that I don't come close to firing parameters even if I do go a bit lower than planned or have a long snivel. The altitude at which I would plan to exit under my reserve in an aircraft emergency also takes into account my AAD's firing parameters. I don't swoop or perform any aggressive canopy maneuvers under 1500 feet. Keeps my good canopy over my head under my decision altitude, promotes safety in the pattern, and will avoid triggering firing parameters. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

But even if you have a significant other, as long as he/she isn't there, it's perfectly acceptable to slut around. Nothing that happens at boogies ever ends up on DZ.com or ever causes drama in relationships. Be sure to let each person know how very special they are are how much you're looking forward to spending each night of the boogie with them, though, because it adds that extra element of excitement to the next night. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

It depends. Is your spouse or significant other in attendance, or back at home? "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Neither of which do you any good when you're not home. Haven't you seen "It Takes a Thief" ... or whatever that show is called? Yes, but you posted the question in Bonfire... these discussions end up getting sent to Speakers' Corner anyway because people can't just answer the question. Oh, the other thing I have (that I had before I bought the full system) is glass break alarms on my ground floor windows. It was one of those getting tripped by someone trying to break the window on my front door (while I was home) that prompted me to get a full system that would actually track attempted break-ins. But if you've got ground floor glass that doesn't move (i.e., it's not on a door or on a window that opens), glass break sensors are also something to think about. These don't do much other than make a ridonkulously loud noise (no monitoring or tracking), but they scared the asshole away so I could call the cops. http://www.homesecuritystore.com/ezstore123/DTProductZoom.asp?productID=837&bViaAC=False My neighbors and I have also installed motion detector lights on the sides of our units (I live in a 4-plex townhouse setup). And of course, my best safety and security feature is knowing my neighbors well so that we all have good general awareness of what's going on around the area and who belongs and who doesn't. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

You're the same age as me??? I was just reading this thread and almost wrote exactly the same post. Remi's the same age as us!!! He still likes to hold it over my head that he's three weeks younger than me. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

I just bought this one. http://www.homesecuritystore.com/ezstore123/DTProductZoom.asp?productID=630&bViaAC=False The basic set comes with two doors, but you can buy additional sensors. It's modular and you can add all kinds of bells and whistles and additional devices, or keep it pretty simple. It's super-easy to install, and if you buy it from this place, they even pre-configure it for you. You can then choose whatever monitoring company you want (or not). Right now, I don't have mine monitored, but I live in close enough proximity to my neighbors and know my neighbors well enough that they'd be on the phone to the police faster than a monitoring company. I've been really happy with it. I have two very active cats and I can vouch for the pet-proof motion detector (at least with cats). (Edit to change links, I grabbed the wrong one). "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

They had Nutter Butter & apple juice! It's just like being back in Kindergarten! "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Nope, not afraid, and I donate as often as I'm eligible. I miss the job I had where they had quarterly blood drives, though ... that made it super-easy to donate (and it was usually mid-week, so rarely a problem with skydiving). Just think of the cookies.

You're not going to melt. I'm not avoiding anything, I'm just waiting for a former colleague to call me back. We were scheduled to talk at 10 but she's not at her desk. Ah well, she always was a bit of a flake. But she's doing me a favor, so who am I to complain. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Aww, what a cute little troll. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Yeah, but we made it into Skydiving Magazine (see attached... sorry the scan's not too great)! "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

I've seen you so much in person (well, twice this year anyway) that I hadn't noticed that you weren't posting as much! But of course we care that you're back! Welcome back! (BTW, I'll be out at Elsinore again on Saturday... will you be there?) "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Well, I thought it was a number (0), but today's blog entry makes me think it might actually be an O instead. http://thefoursuits.blogspot.com/ "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

No, it's not coincidence. The shirt was shipped from PD. Maybe that's why you didn't get yours - you were DQed without even getting a chance to play. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke