MB38

With your reserve out, the reserve pin should just be dangling on your back. It's probably still in its loose guide rings after a Cypres fire. When you cut away, the main should lift dramatically... or appear to as you will start to drop. When it does so, the RSL will pull on the already loose reserve pin until the pin/cable has freed itself from the guide rings and free the RSL accordingly. Whether or not it functions that perfectly every time, no way to say. If you're cutting away your main when you have two out, you're probably in a downplane already. Hopefully it won't complicate, but if it does... it's probably not worse than the situation you're already in. I really don't know what I'm talking about.

I believe that would suck a little bit. Like I said I had one of the boys under my leg strap and they heard me scream from about 3,000ft. A loose leg strap led to a ball-under malfunction on my second jump. Both of my instructors asked me about the yelling once I was on the ground. I really don't know what I'm talking about.

So am I a skydiver? I know teh everything! I really don't know what I'm talking about.

I've wanted to jump since I was 10, but it's taken me three jobs and 10 more years in order to afford school and AFF at the same time. I'm 20 now... eating ramen noodles to jump. A $10 student discount doesn't help much... particularly when it's only on the first jump. It's worth it. I really don't know what I'm talking about.

I've seen BASE canopies open in as little as 150' from terminal. I can't imagine that's too fun. I saw a video of a guy at a freefly competition whose reserve handle was accidentally pulled whilst in a head-down position. Watching the video, it's hard to imagine that a person can change directions that quickly and survive... but he only had a few broken ribs. I really don't know what I'm talking about.

I know that I'm going to be a "skydiver" very soon, but right now I'm just an AFF student. Once I'm out of AFF, I'll be close, but I won't feel like I'm not tooting my own horn until I have my A. I really don't know what I'm talking about.

I stopped watching those kinda films a while back....my mother said they make you go blind. Ah, crap I have no worthy response. I really don't know what I'm talking about.

And good 3D software...Lightwave, 3DS Max, Alias Wavefront etc. I don't mind working on either mac or pc when it comes to graphic work or editing (and do both) but the lack of 3D software for a Mac is what made me go with a pc-laptop (and that one works like a charm on every front) Lightwave and Maya are both available for Mac... and have been for years. Must be different there. You can have a good Mac for $500. What most people forget is that you're not just paying for the computer... you're paying for an unbelievable suite of software that any and every Mac comes with. It's not the throwaway stuff that comes with Windows... it's what makes a Mac a Mac. ***Excuse me whilst I get back to editing on Prem Pro..... Excuse me whilst I get back to editing a feature-length studio-funded film... on Final Cut Pro.

I don't want to turn this into a Mac [it's Mac, not MAC] vs. PC thread -- I really don't -- but Macs get used in all walks of computing. From servers to photography to video to running a business to database management to programming to writing letters in word and checking email... it's all the same. Same documents, same internet, same concepts, same everything... it's just faster, easier and doesn't get viruses or crash. The reason that there are still so many PCs out there is a mixture of a few things. People are used to PCs, so they buy PCs. People think that "Macs suck" or "Macs can't do what I want" and don't get them. Many people don't even think that Apple makes computers anymore. They don't think that there is even another alternative to Windows. People stick with what is comfortable. The frightening thing is that most people are just used to accepting that they will never understand their computer and that their computer will always be difficult to use and rarely function as it's supposed to. Apple is the only computer company increasing its market share -- computer sales are up about 400% year-over -- and the only computer company whose sales, profits, stock prices and market share are all rising. I've never found somebody who was unable to do on a Mac what they do on a PC... the only exception being gaming. It's just that simple. Anyways, end dorky rant. I don't want to sound like an asshat [I haven't been here long enough to do that]. In the end, it always comes down to the fact that opinions are like assholes: everybody has one and most of them stink. Mine's just right. I really don't know what I'm talking about.

The funny thing is that these being skydiving forums... we're only hearing from people who loved their first jump [be it good or bad] and came back again and again and again. If only there was somebody to hear from that never wanted to jump again... it's a perspective I'm not familiar with. I really don't know what I'm talking about.

If your'e on a PC, it'll be better in the long run if you just buy a Mac (think $500 or $600) and do all your work on that. It'll cost less and be much more efficient. I really don't know what I'm talking about.

Lesson learned -- the gear check includes your plumbing. Hip straps tucked between thighs and your nuts, plumbing centered. It's a lesson I've only been taught once... and I don't see it happening again. My leg straps were loose on the first jump, causing things to move around in freefall. What was out of the way in the plane was not out of the way at pull time. It's now part of my gear check: Three rings, three handles, three bits. I really don't know what I'm talking about.

If you're very new to editing, go with iMovie. It's the easiest app to get used to and it's incredibly easy to learn. Just sit in on a class for it at your local Apple store... the classes are free. After that, move up to Final Cut Express ($299) and eventually to Final Cut Pro or Final Cut Studio ($999 or $1,299, respectively). Check them all out: http://www.apple.com/ilife/imovie/ http://www.apple.com/finalcutexpress/ http://www.apple.com/finalcutstudio/ iMovie WILL be the easiest and fastest to use. Edit quickly, throwing in a few titles and transitions... cutting out the boring crap and dropping in some music... cool. Press the "Send to iDVD" button and it'll automatically dump your project into iDVD and compress it in the background. You can customize the menu system to your liking [you can even make a custom theme for your dropzone... so everybody gets the same menu!] and burn in no time flat. It's really difficult to envision just how easy using the iLife apps is until you sit down and use them. I really don't know what I'm talking about.

Start getting into video editing with iMovie. I must assume that you've already passed by that level, so move to Final Cut Express. When you want to upgrade to Final Cut Pro, you'll be able to do so without losing any money in the transition (FCP is 999, FCE is 299, FCE-FCP upgrade is 699... you save a dollar!). There's a reason why the video/film industry is dominated by Macs and why such a remarkable amount of studios [big and small] are switching to Final Cut Pro. The best thing to get would be the Final Cut Studio, including Motion and DVD Studio Pro. It's a fantastic solution that covers you in all elements of editing and finishing. I really don't know what I'm talking about.

Now, knowing that I'm going to be a camera flyer when the time comes... do you think it's worth throwing up a few extra bones and grabbing the Optik right off the bat? I'm not sure how secure the Mindwarp is with a camera attached... maybe somebody could chime in on that one. I really don't know what I'm talking about.

I'm looking to buy a helmet that either has a camera platform built in or has the capability to add a platform down the line. I'm still a student right now, so the helmet will simply be for protection for several hundred more jumps. Thus, I've been attracted to the Bonehead Mindwarp. It's just a good 'ol fashioned helmet that can have a camera platform added down the line. The Optik would be a more camera-happy option right off the bat and would certainly make life easier as I add more than one camera. Then there's the most likely option: "buy a $40 ProTec and get a camera helmet in a few years". The only thing stopping me from going that route is the lack of an audible pocket. I know there are dozens of other brands out there and everybody has their favorite... that's what I'd like to hear about. Searches galore haven't gotten me very far. So, advice? I really don't know what I'm talking about.

Probably about the same number of skydivers that get the bends. I really don't know what I'm talking about.

So... who wants to be my Perris mentor? I really don't know what I'm talking about.

I just got back from my tunnel time and I can't wait to do the jump. Stability was an issue for a few minutes, but i was able to hold a heading well and move forward well. Moving backwards was tricky, but it seemed that it was ususally from me plowing into my coach and losing the column of air above her. Moving up and down was a really interesting feeling... even though I didn't have the best control over it. I want more tunnel time already. Here's to hoping I pass on the first time! I really don't know what I'm talking about.

Technically there's your AAD which should deploy your reserve if it needs to. The thing is, if you're concerned about passing out in freefall... skydiving probably isn't for you. Do more tandems? I really don't know what I'm talking about.

Unless that comment's similarity to an incident Jeb was involved in a few years back is purely coincidental, that's just inappropriate. I really don't know what I'm talking about.

I'm just looking for input on which combination you folks think would suit generic jumper me better. I'm going to buy a digital wrist altimeter and purchase an audible at a later date along with a helmet. Obviously, that time has not come yet. The time to buy a wrist altimeter is rapidly approaching. Effetively, I'm stuck between two combinations. One would be an Alti-2 Neptune as a wrist altimeter and a L&B Solo Pro-Dytter when the time comes. The benefits: I get a logging altimeter right off the bat. The negatives: reported bugs with the Neptune. They appear few and far between, but hey. The other would be to buy a L&B Viso as a wrist altimeter [when it comes out] and then a Pro-Track as my audible/log. Benefits would be up-front cost and the "trusted" L&B name. The bummer would be the lack of a logging altimeter right off the bat. So I know the question is stupid and that comparisons can end up in measuring contests, but I'd just like to get some input from folks that know better than I. I have jumped with a digital and find it much easier to read in freefall. That's my reasoning for choosing a digital wrist mount. I do know that the Viso and Solo aren't out yet... but it seems like they'll show their faces soon enough. So, any thoughts? I really don't know what I'm talking about.

Keep your nut bag to yourself. I hope you like to jump by yourself. Good luck finding a pilot. (unless he is gay) Well that was rough. A little bare-assedness doesn't freak people out that much. I really don't know what I'm talking about.

I'm the kind of guy who will look at a clock and think for 10 seconds or so about the position of the hands before I can bring up accurate time. I've had a digital watch my entire life... needles mess with me Well, I'm too broke to think about an altimeter right now. Paying for these AFF jumps isn't cheap... even with three jobs. I really don't know what I'm talking about.

I've had the dreaded ball-under malfunction once. I'm still recovering from that one. Skydiving's going to take away my children! I really don't know what I'm talking about.