jumpjunkie2004

I look forward to my first reserve ride because I think it will make me more confident with my ability to react under extreme circumstances. In my world, telling a whuffo that I jump out of airplanes is enough to cause a big stir. I've heard it all - I must not really love my children,etc. I've gotten to the point that I don't even bring it up unless someone asks about it. Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat...

On my first RW jump (three way), I told them that I wanted to turn and track at 5,000. We agreed to stop maneuvers at 6,000. They were ok with it. On my third RW jump - it was just a two way - I said I wanted to do the same thing. The other skydiver said she set her audible for 5,000. We'd keep doing maneuvers until 5,000 and then turn and track. At my dz, the more experienced skydivers seem pretty understanding. They consider jumping with Newbies a "fun jump" and don't expect too much from us. Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat...

This is also from the SIM (Section 5-1 Part E) 3. All malfunctions can be classified as one of two types: a. total malfunction (parachute not activated, or activated but not deploying): b. partial malfunction (parachute deployed but not landable): 4. You should decide upon and take the appropriate actions by a predetermined altitude: a. Students and A-license holders: 2,500 feet. b. B-D license holders: 1,800 feet She is an A license holder. She is qualified for the B license - she just hasn't taken the written test. Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat...

I'm going to go out on a limb here - these two jumps must be tandems if you don't know what line twists are. From the SIM (Skydivers Information Manuel) LINE TWIST: n. A condition of parachute opening where the canopy has attained full or nearly full inflation but one or more complete twists have developed in the lines and/or risers. Can be dangerous when associated with a spin. It's like a swing. Remember turning yourself on a swing and the chains crossed and eventually got so tight you couldn't make them any tighter. When you let go, you start to spin out of them. If you are going really fast, you can spin back into them in the opposite direction. Does that make sense? She has a Sabre 2 170 - and her exit weight is probably about 180 (I'm guessing). The point of this isn't only that she was still trying to clear line twists at 1,400 feet - my point is that she didn't even think about cutting. It didn't even cross her mind. She didn't say - I could cut, but I know my canopy and I know that I'll be able to clear this. Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat...

My mother is one of the few family members that actually seems to understand. She has even agreed to do a tandem for her 64th BD in February! I've tried to articulate why I skydive. I've been asked a number of times, by an assortment of people. Not long ago, I attended the USPA General Membership meeting and they asked that question, "What got you into skydiving?" I went for a tandem, and when I landed. I thought - that was a little petrifying. I have to do it again. I think you're either a skydiver or you are not. You just don't know it until you give it a try. I would have never guessed that I would love something (other than my children) this much. I spend entirely too much time thinking about my last jump and wondering when I'll get my next. I have jump lust... If I come up with something "poetic", I'll post. Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat...

She told me that she opened with line twists which were a result of body position. She was still tracking when she pulled. I believe that she pulls at around 3,500. She said she still had line twists at 1,400, but she managed to get them worked out in time to land safely - however, off the dz. My concern is that she was still messing around trying to fix them below 2,000 feet. My "decision altitude" is 2,500 feet. If the parachute isn't working properly by then, I plan to cutaway. This has been drilled into my head a over and over. She told me that it did not occur to her to cutaway. I don't want this to happen to me. I know that each year we have safety day. My concern is that an annual review of safety procedures may not be adequate for some of us with less experience. I know that it is my job to ensure my own safety, and plan to review safety procedures at least once each weekend I'm at the dz. Hopefully, some of the people that read this post will take a couple extra minutes to review safety procedures before their next skydive. Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat...

Yesterday, a friend of mine called to tell me that she had a really scary jump. She opened up with horrible line twists and she was still trying to get out of them at 1,400 feet. I asked her why she did not cutaway. Her reply, "I didn't even think of it." Her response concerns me. She said that everyone told her that she should have cutaway, but it didn't even come into her brain as an option. She has over 200 jumps. I asked her how often she reviews safety procedures. She said every jump. I've seen her do this on the plane - touch the handles, and practice the motions. However, this "review" isn't what I meant. We have a hanging harness at our dz and photos to look at. I'm new - so I do this once each weekend. She seemed offended by my question about going over emergency procedures. So, here are my questions: How often do you go over "emergency" procedures? Has this ever happened to you? Am I over reacting because I'm new? I told her that I'm really worried about her, and think that she should spend some time in the hanging harness - drilling in the emergency procedures. It's one thing to say - I'm at 2,500 feet - I have line twists - I could cutaway, but I am sure I can get out of them. Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat...

Thanks for bumping this up. Obviously this was written some time ago, what do you think changed? Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat...

I just got my license last month and I had to "load" the plane. At Skydive Orange (jumping from the Otter): First out: RW/bellyflyers - largest group first Then freeflyers - largest group first Followed by: AFF students Last out: Tandems If the RW groups are the same size, the group pulling lower gets out first. Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat...

Wow - that's a shallow well. I'm glad that you got things working again. We are remodeling our kitchen and I've been without a kitchen sink for six weeks now - the granite countertops and new sink will be installed on Friday

Did you get a new well? I grew up on farm and our well went dry once. I don't remember how my parents resolved the situation. However, I recall going to the creek to fetch water for flushing, etc. Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat...

They went on our load 1 yesterday too! Unfortunately, it wasn't until after 1 - it was terribly hot! What a great way to start your Monday morning Liz! Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat...

Kurt Isenbarger - he was great with Emma. She talked him to death. His wife and daughter (20 months old or so) were there as well. I'm not sure who gave her the first set of memorabilia, but Mike Elliot gave us a second set for my son. She asked Bryan Schnell why they don't pack their own parachutes. One of our guys Woody was doing their packing. She said they must not pack for themselves because they are special. He explained to her that they are too busy to pack because they are on back to back loads and editing video in between. She told Billy VanSoelen that I had just gotten my license and he told her that he didn't have one. Of course, he was just messing with her. He's got almost 10,000 jumps. They were fun and very approachable. Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat...

Hey Liz - Did they freefly with you? Who'd you go with? They all seemed like great guys. Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat...

Yesterday, I apprehensively took my daughter (7) to my DZ (Skydive Orange). I really wanted to jump and couldn't find a sitter. I figured since it was a week day things wouldn't be too busy. It wasn't - in fact we only put up three loads. I was worried about how she would occupy herself while I was jumping. As luck would have it, the Golden Knights Tandem guys were there. She ended up hanging out with their PR person. A couple of the guys watched "The Chamber of Secrets" with her. They gave her stickers, lapel pins and a nice glossy photo. What a nice bunch of people! Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat...

Congrats! Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat...

You forgot sex Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat...

I'm afraid of low heights Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat...

When you get back from the doctors, let us know how it went! Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat...

I have a friend whose father (he lives in FL) had an encounter with a couple BR's. He has huge pits in his back and on his torso. The venom (or whatever it's called) causes the flesh to die rapidly and it continues to spread until someone removes the poisoned flesh. My older sister was bitten by some sort of spider (here in Maryland) - we aren't sure what kind. She kept saying, "It's just a spider bite." Eventually, she developed cellulites (sp?) and had to have IV antibiotics. At some point, the doctors mentioned amputation. A simple prescription of Penicillin would have cured her. Be safe! Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat...

Congrats Brandon! You going to be at Orange tomorrow? Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat...

When my daughter was 2 she had pneumonia, we watched Blue's Clues for two days straight. At some point my best friend called to check on us, I said that Steve (the geeky scrawny guy that originally hosted the show) was looking hot. She still harasses me about it. Of course, I attribute my lapse in judgment to sleep deprivation.

#1 - Laziness Lying Arrogance Ignorance Ambivalence and people that chew with their mouth wide open (yuck!) Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat...

I'm feeling much better today