nightjumps

My understanding is the ~$700 rebuild quote was a worst case scenario. Since posting this thread this morning, Mirage has contacted the skydiver and had a long talk about how a reconstruction is done. The skydiver is sending the Mirage back to the factory in the morning. From the manufacturer's point of view, its hard to quote a price over the phone without seeing the damage that's been done. Evidently, it requires quite a bit of work to undo and redo. Kind of like trying to rebuild a house after a tornado has hit it. It's always easier to build it once, than undo it and redo it. On that note, Mirage's personal attention in contacting the skydiver is a testament to their customer service. They expressed a willingness to work with the skydiver on the repairs, reinforced the particulars of the rebuild and assured the skydiver that the rebuild would be as good as new, "if not better." Thank you all for your input, the skydiver has been monitoring the thread and your reassurances and offers to help are once again, the reason why ya gots to love this big dysfunctional family we call, "skydivers." People whom have never met from all walks of life, every age bracket, different corners of the planet and socio-economic background all reaching out to help during a time of need. We live together, play together, fight together, cry together and when one needs help; put all differences aside and - help together. For me, skydiving is the closet thing to "team-concept" since my days in the military. Thank you all.

No, No. The medics did their job and no one questioned what they had to do, merely where they were going to do it (main & reserve risers). In fact, the skydiver's suggested where the webs should be cut. Even the injured skydiver understood what had to be done in the context of safely sliding the backboard. I think the majority of us in a situation where medics "think" it has to be done, should go ahead and do it. We can worry about rigs later and appreciate their professionalism. The focus of this thread is for Rigger's to provide information on whether to rebuild the rig or buy new.

As you probably read in the "Incidents Forum," one of our local skydivers was involved in a plane crash and was injured. While injured and to the objection of the skydivers on-scene, the EMT's cut the skydiver's rig off for a back board and life-flight transport. 1. The main lift web was cut in half on both sides just below the handles. 2. The chest strap was cut in half. 3. The lateral webs were cut in half on both sides. 4. The leg-straps were not cut and are still attached to the articulation hardware The rig is a 2003 Mirage. The injured skydiver is healing well and is going through the mental algorithms of having the Mirage fixed (~$700) or buying new. Economically, it would be better to have it repaired. Psychologically, there is an issue of "gear fear" with the structural integrity of a rebuilt harness with that much damage. It's going to be hard enough getting back on a plane after a crash. Factor in that first ride, with a first jump since the injury, with a reconstructed harness. The skydiver's options are; 1) buy a new rig, 2) get it reconstructed and ask for factory test jumps, 3) ask someone local to test jump it for visual and psychological reinforcement. Some of you (senior/master riggers only, please) with years of experience that could add any insight, thoughts, or quantitative advice about a reconstructed harness during this decision-making process would be greatly appreciated. Please feel free to be blunt. The skydiver is a very black & white analytical thinker (doctor) that appreciates and respects direct negative or positive responses with strong opinions. Thanks,

Sounds like you were poorly trained.

There's many years of skydiving, but only two knees...

My opinion: If a two-foot bench is difficult, a plf or run-out landing is going to chance your injuring the knee again. I would recommend waiting until you can jump off the tailgate or the two-foot bench in a fast run. My .02

Roughly translated: The sixth star that illuminates my heart wrapped in the obscure when we are not six, I love you.

According to Bill Newell, Bob Buquor began organizing and filming star formations at Arvin, California in 1964. Bill met Buquor in March of that year, just after he'd filmed Arvin's first four-man star with Mitch Poteet, Louie Paproski, Andy Keech and Don Henderson. A few weeks later, Bob filmed the first five-man star with Mitch Poteet, Louie Paproski, Leigh Hunt, Nels Lindebloom and Don Henderson. "One of the things I remember best about Bob," says Newell, "is that I was at a strange drop zone, with only about 50 jumps, and he was one of the first ones to ask me on a load. He had a zany, outgoing personality." Bob Buquor 1933-1966 Bob Buquor gained quite a following of relative work enthusiasts over a three-year span of star attempts at the Arvin and Old River drop zones near Bakersfield, according to Newell, where hard-core regular jumpers included Bob Thompson, Al Paradowski, Jim Dann, Brian Williams, Jerry Bird, Mitch Poteet, John Rinard, Joe McKinney, Lou Paproski, Bill Stage, Don Henderson, Terry Ward, Skratch Garrison, and of course, Bill Newell. In August of 1964, ABC-TV sent Buquor to Germany to cover the World Parachuting Championships. He was back in time to organize and photograph the world's first six-man star over Arvin on September 6, 1964. The picture was on the cover of Skydiver magazine. On New Year's Day 1965, Buquor shot the stills of Rod Pack's famous chute less jump over Arvin. His photos were published in an exclusive feature article and on the cover of Life magazine. Buquor and Rod Pack were good friends and also pilots. They bought a couple of little Globe Swift two-seater sport airplanes with some of the earnings from the chute less jump stunt. Buquor spent a good part of 1965 flying to Arvin on the weekends from his home in the Los Angeles area to photograph the Arvin Jumpers in various relative work formations and star attempts. After more than a year of filming six and seven man stars, constantly trying for the "big one," Buquor finally captured the elusive first eight-man star on film over Arvin, on October 17, 1965. While miniscule in comparison to today's group relative work feats, Buquor's spectacular freefall flicks of the period created quite a sensation in Parachutist magazine. Courtesy of www.scr-awards.com

I do not have a Spectre, but have done my share of psycho-packing. You may want to ask a Spectre owner or irgger who psycho-packs if you'll need to add a bridle extension.

I'm tryin, I'm tryin!!! It's an awfully large butt, a "Bigun" for lack of a better term.

Your reply may have been too short for my reply here and not harness the intent of your response. Spotting is much more than using the USPA form, ensuring we are upwind, and safe 360X360 - to me; that is an overview and a good foundational start. For me, spotting is teaching the student reverse-planning. For example, going out to the DZ, tossing a frisbee on the ground and saying here is where I want to land. From that point, calculating surface-altitude winds, release point, forward throw, number of jumpers on aircraft versus DZ length, Which jumper has the smallest reserve, where is that person in the stick, etc....

You're welcome. LouDiamond's hyperlinks are of importance. If you can find a former MFFJM at your local DZ to help, it would be of great value. I applaud you for the desire to learn about this quickly dying, albeit necessary skill. Keith

http://www.dropzone.com/forum/Skydiving_C1/General_Skydiving_Discussions_F18/Spotting_P433048-3

After reading the thread (so the politicians and DMV will step in, blaming the officer, etc.), I was intrigued. As it turns out the CHP WAS doing what was directed by those politicians and DMV according to law. The Officer's sole judgement in the matter is taken out of the equation. According to California law: "Vehicular manslaughter;" in some jurisdictions is just included under the more general term "involuntary manslaughter". The offense consists of (1) driving, (2) while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or alcohol and drugs, (3) resulting in the death of another human being, (4) caused by the drivers's independent negligence or violation of a traffic law. California Penal Code section 191.5 I used to have a sticker on my Harley that said, "I don't give a shit how they do it in California."

Lisa, is there still a 220 or 225# limit on the mini-risers?

I voted $80.00. Not a rigger, but I am a research nut. However, I would need to be able to click on a topic in the index and it take me right to that page...

HooAAAHHH!! Have fun with it!!

[Flight Attendant] Excuse me, Captain, I know you're a little busy right now, what with all the hydraulic thingies and everything, but... there's a gentlemen back here who wonders if it would be too much bother to de-pressurize the aircraft so he can... BOOM [/Flight Attendant]

Wow. The Harley guys are gonna love you.

Let's say its a right barrel roll. I leave the left arm out, drop my right shoulder a twitch, push my legs out and wrap my feet counterclockwise... all in one motion. Hope that helps.

The "I got SHRINKAGE" episode.

You must have missed that episode of Seinfeld. Shrinks a wee bit, but it'll stretch back out.

How tight and much time do you want to spend in the event of an emergency bailout?

Anyone on the planet; whether skydiver or not can show up at a dropzone and explain their loved one's wishes to have their ashes spread on a skydive. There is not a single skydiver I know who would not be honored to fulfill that last request.

Until proven guilty, are they not alleged?