TKATC

Mark, please tell us about your friend Reed...who was he? What was he all about? How did you guys get together to jump with us? Perhaps a picture?

I think Kelly said it best when she said: "Please forgive my fellow jumpers who did not provide these tiny offerings; they may not know how to handle the death of a skydiving student." I can only speak for myself when I say I don't know how to handle death, be it a skydiver or not, so I tend to just stay clear. I did not know Reed but anyone who engages in this type of activity shows a real zest for life of which I truly admire. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.

"It sickens me to see the juvenile responses that so many have posted on this thread." Does this article not sicken you? JRAF, keep up the good work. Even if it doesn't do any good she is still getting your points. I could almost see the "drunk" thing blowing up in your face before it happened but keep plugging away.

My first memory of PJ was when I noticed him walking along the road headed to the DZ. At the time, I knew the face but not the name. I picked him up to save him a 1/2 mile walk. He was carrying a 6-pack of beer. (a variety pack of different beers I assume were lost soldiers he had saved from various parties) Anyway, he gave me a beer for picking him up and then when we arrived he stopped me before getting out of the car and said "Wait, you're gonna need a reserve!" and handed me another. That pretty much sums up my opinion of him....always giving what he had, be it instruction, advice, or a sarcastic remark that made him PJ. I am relatively new to this sport and I am always learning, last night I heard something that I really liked. "Skydivers don't mourn the death, we CELEBRATE the life"

WOW...140 jumps and your already at a 1.3 wing loading? I am sure there are a few people that have been alot more agressive than you are, but I would like to know what your progression was to start jumping a 150. Is that your first canopy after getting a license or what?

I did manage to get a room at the Quality Inn....my only concern is being near the "action" of the Holiday Inn, you know.....intoxication factor, meetings, etc etc.

Damn...redial..busy...redial...busy...over and over for an hour only to get...."i'm sorry they already sold out ."

Thanks for the info guys...I have a lot of reading to do. Of course, I talked to and will be mentored by experienced BASE jumpers but many have differing opinions for many different reasons, some of which are self serving. I ask things in this forum and from people I know in order to evaluate which technique I would like to adopt. As you all know, I am the only one who can save my life after I jump, so I like as many opinions and viewpoints as I can get.

I didn't think the FIT of a rig had too much to do with pin tension but now that you bring it to my attention, it is an interesting thought. I ASSUMED a perfect fit didn't play as much of a role in BASE since many of the base jumps I plan to make will not be terminal, thus, the openings would not be as violent. Forgive me if I sound like an idiot talking about base, but since I have ZERO experience, then I probably am when it comes to base.

Looking into buying gear and was looking for advice on how base gear should fit. I have nearly 200 skydives and want to try base. Knowing NOTHING about base....I assume that a perfect fit (such as is desireable on skydiving rigs) is not the greatest concern so long as it fits REASONABLY well and has a large enough canopy for your wieght...Anyone want to spell out the finer points?.

Of course many of you have done this already but I am wondering how it usually works. What is the best method so both buyer and seller get a fair shake in such a transaction. I would like to buy a smaller canopy and I am selling my current canopy once I make a purchase, so any suggestions are helpful.

Fluffy, can you freefly?

I made my 100th jump yesterday with 10 skydivers from my new found family at CROSSKEYS. In no particular order the planned 11-way was as follows: Kruse, Range, Will, Bobby, Earl, Elton, Pauly, Swisstian, Chris and last but not least Bubba "Phelps" who made it a 10-way. Thank you guys for making my 100th jump something I will remember forever!!! At 100 jumps I am taking a moment to reflect on how I haven't killed or hurt myself. I have to say credit is due mostly to the family at CROSSKEYS starting with Yonathan for my tandems and ground school, Sick Willy for my progression through AFF and coach jumps (I do owe thanks to Pancake for one of those jumps though). Kruse and Range have taken considerable time to teach me some of the finer points. There is a HUGE list of people who have taught me different things (like trash packing, thanks Allan) but I cannot possibly mention them all. I am eternally grateful and feel so lucky to have discovered such an inspiring family. It's not just the skydiving I am addicted to. Thanks CROSSKEYS!!!

Add my house to the list. Less than 3 miles from Cross Keys in New Jersey. I can't get you here but we have 2 extra bedrooms, hot tub, large deck out back overlooking a huge pond, 2 very friendly labradors, and SOME beer. You're welcome here as long I we can stand you then you're on your own.

I say let your sig FLY proudly!!! The quote says IF this will save he life of one of our soldiers ..... Let me preface my comments with I HAVE FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE IN THAT THEATER OF OPERATIONS, so IF in fact it will save the life of our soldiers, I don't care whose balls you attach it to. Hell, why not start with Bush? Repug THIS!!!

This is probably a stupid newbie question but I find out alot of things that I think are impossible, are possible, from reading this forum. Can you wear an audible without wearing a helmet? And if so, HOW? I don't want this to turn into a "Helmets are safe and should be worn thread"...just was curious as I do believe I would like to jump an audible.

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I took a canopy course not too long ago with a very respected "Champion". He taught me to become aware of the jump run and the number of jumpers, etc etc. He said make a mental note of how many are on the load and while in FF you should be able to look down the jump run and notice most if not all the other jumpers. And definately under canopy. This sounds like great advice and I would love to work on this skill of knowing where everyone is and exactly what is going on but I have to admit I usually can only keep track of the person(s) who jumped just before me and maybe those just after me. Hoping someone could give some tips and or clues on how to develop good jump run awareness. Even from the "Low-timers" as they may bring up some very good points we can all learn from. Thanks.

If you are already addicted after one jump you have been bitten hard my friend. It only gets better (or worse depending on how you look at it). You picked a very festive day to discover Cross Keys with the Red Bull event. I am surprised you even got to make a jump on such a busy day. Oh, and by the way, it was 407 tandems. : ) While everyday is not as festive the rush is ALWAYS there. I would suggest applying for a low rate credit card because you will carry a balance on this one...THEN jump your ass off. You only live once and this is a lifetime experience you will never forget. Paying as you go and going slow will get you there but I don't recommend it. However, if you must, you must. Good luck in your decision. See you at the drop zone.

I used to lower my head at "wave off" just before pulling too. I cured it by making it a point to focus my eyes on the horizon and touch my nose as I performed a wave off. Stupid trick but may make your mental block disappear.

Thanks Kim...and the others who are responding. I guess what I am looking for is first hand accounts of how the AAD has helped people. You say many people have been saved by their AAD...is there any list or database one can go to and read about such incidents?

I am looking into making educated decisions about the equipment I am soon to purchase. I have been thinking about the pros and cons of the Cypres. (Subtract the cost factor, if I feel it MIGHT save me then I don't care about the cost) Here are my thoughts....I like the fact that the Cypres may open my reserve should I lose alt awareness for some reason or other, I do not want to die for being stupid. However, I am concerned with a misfire. (Where can one find stats on misfires? Does it happen often?) Also, I feel if I am too dumb to pull my reserve on my own then I must be unconscious. If I am unconscious, chances are I won't wake up until I am on the ground. That means I won't be flying my reserve....I feel I will be SERIOUSLY injured if I don't actively fly the thing. Do I even want to live with 2 broken legs and a broken back? How many times has a diver gone unconscious in freefall? I am just not sure the cypres will be all that useful although I would prefer to take all necessary precautions.

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Two souls have been lost today due to a collision. I do not know any particulars because I didn't think it was my place to ask many questions. The incident will probably be discussed at length in the coming days. What I do know is the two people involved, and I can say for a fact that these people were good hearted people, fun people that made everyone feel welcomed and they will be sorely missed. My heart goes out to these 2 wonderful people and their families but more so for the closest friends they left behind. My sincerest condolences...

Some may remember (but probably not) my first post describing my EXTREME exit fear and I was asking if that would ever change. I got several positive reassuring replies and I am glad I took that advice to heart. ( I was so scared I was severely questioning my sanity as to why I kept at it). Anyway, I now have graduated AFF, acquired my A license, and have a total of 42 jumps. I am no longer deathly afraid of exiting, in fact, I love jumping out now. (I still get some anxiety when I reach 11k or so while climbing to altitude and have to take deep breaths to remain calm) This sport is such a thrill and has MANY MANY facets that will never be known to anybody unless they have experienced this sport in depth as many (or all) of us here have. Every week I am introduced to a new phase of the sport that each has its own mirage of things to be learned. i.e Freefly, Canopy control, CRW, formations, and BEER just to name a few. I am not sure where I am going with this post except to say that I am so hooked and can't wait to learn more and more and more. The sport in itself is enough to keep me desperately wanting to jump again and again but the people are what make it truly outstanding.