airathanas

As I was leaving The Farm on Sunday night, my bf Brandon was giving Tater directions to Skydive Atlanta (he asked for the directions from Brandon). I don't know anything of their conversation but I'm sure Tater didn't tell Brandon the real reason why he was going to SDA. Brandon would have certainly said something if he suspected or knew something was up. Tater specifically asked for directions AROUND Barnsville because he didn't want to go through it. Both Woody and Jill are good friends of mine; I don't know Tater that well. I wish Woody a speedy recovery. All I know is that I'm not going to jump to conclusions about a situation that I know nothing about. It isn't right to say who deserved what when you know nothing about what it REALLY going on. Spence- I agree with you 100%. What I am upset about it people doing shit that makes our sport look bad- demos that should have been canceled because of bad weather end up with jumpers breaking their legs, people messing with another's rig b/c of a love triangle and someone dies, the list goes on and on. It's only a matter of time before the media gets a hold of this. And we wonder why skydiving membership is declining????? http://3ringnecklace.com/

I have a information card and a cross in my jumpsuit pocket. I wrote down the usual stuff like address, etc... but I also wrote down my blood type and an emergency contact person. I haven't landed off that many times to jump with a compass or rubber bands. Is that Mid-West thing? http://3ringnecklace.com/

Usually my standard answer is: 1) There's no such thing as a perfectly good airplane 2) the door was open But for those whuffo dickwads I would say something like, "I jump out of a plane because I don't want to be known as a scardy-puss like you!" http://3ringnecklace.com/

Well lock me up and throw away the key.... http://3ringnecklace.com/

Are you packing or do you have a packer? Stowing the lines too close to the bag can cause line twists... http://3ringnecklace.com/

Landed next to BOTH your main AND your freebag? You lucky bastard!!! I'm a packer too and I've caught brake stow jobs that were done incorrectly by people with hundred of jumps. Even if the brakes are already stowed, I always double check them to make sure they are correct. Good job on learning from your mistakes, and sharing it with us. http://3ringnecklace.com/

Holy stupid decision Batman! http://3ringnecklace.com/

He should go to all the funerals that he is responsible for, too. http://3ringnecklace.com/

You know envy is one of the seven deadly sins.... Congrats man! Welcome to the world of not-so-perfect airplanes! http://3ringnecklace.com/

I can COMPLETELY understand what you are going through. I took three years off of jumping b/c of school and I have since gotten back into it. Don't force it into your life if it doesn't fit right now. Once you are done with law school and earning good money, you'll get back into it in no time. There are more important things in your life right now. I know it doesn't feel good in the meantime though. http://3ringnecklace.com/

http://www.chucknorrisfacts.com/ When Chuck Norris plays Oregon Trail his family does not die from cholera or dysentery, but rather roundhouse kicks to the face. He also requires no wagon, since he carries the oxen, axels, and buffalo meat on his back. He always makes it to Oregon before you. http://3ringnecklace.com/

I'm not a rigger but I'll share my experience with my canopy. I have a Stiletto 170, which has about 700 jumps on it. The last guy gave it to me because it opened too quickly. It had an oversized slider on it. It was opening too slowly for me, so I had a regular slider put back on it. After it was consistently slamming me, I had a rigger put the oversized slider back on. Now it opens too slowly, and I have to pump the rear risers on opening because it does not want to come down the lines on its own. I talked to the previous owner and he said that he sent the canopy back to PD and they couldn't find what was wrong with it. They suggested to him that he put an oversized slider on it. So I know it has nothing to do with my pack job (I'm a packer and I don't slam everyone I pack for). So that's my story and I'm stickin' to it. http://3ringnecklace.com/

I found a research study (I don't know by who off the top of my head) that investigated the heart rates of skydivers. It basically said that heartrates of novice skydivers fluctuate more and peak higher than experienced skydivers. The experienced skydivers were told that they were going to have a malfunction within the next ten jumps, and then their heart rate patterns imitated those of novice jumpers. Again, I don't have the exact details (I'm at work right now), but that was the main idea of the study. http://3ringnecklace.com/

I know a guy - who shall remain nameless - who is a little over 300 lbs and a TI. (Yes, that's without gear). On his own sport rig, he has a tiny velocity which he swoops quite often. Great guy I might add. To each their own I guess. http://3ringnecklace.com/

Why is that common for students flaring high? I don't recall doing this when I was a student. Sometimes in high winds I flare too much and I pop back up again. I didn't realize that this is a common thing until recently. It's a really scary thing to watch! http://3ringnecklace.com/

airathanas AirWhore Bill K. Chaoskitty fmmobley Goofyjumper Jessie07 Lauraliscious Littleskycrab MicDuran monkycndo Namgrunt & Nannerbanner NWFlyer popsjumper Rkymtnhigh Skinny Shrek Skydave Thanatos340 The_Don & Jean Tmaricle55 Turtle Yardhippie If you want good opening, I'll pack for you. hahaha I'll be there- hopefully I'll do more than four jumps this time. http://3ringnecklace.com/

Mine is Death Dealer. Not a good name for a packer... http://3ringnecklace.com/

I have a Master's Degree in Sport Psychology and I wrote my thesis on fear of failure and anxiety. That doesn't make me an expert- just more informed than the average person. Throughout my research, I found many various studies that found that somatic anxiety (that is physical symptoms of anxiety aka flight or fight) peaks RIGHT before a stressful event (such as being in the door) and then immediately drops off once the event takes place. What you're feeling is natural and will dissipate but never fully go away. While you're in the plane, concentrate on visualizing the dive flow in your head and focus on your breathing. Trust your training and trust yourself!! http://3ringnecklace.com/

I did only three jumps this weekend. One of which was my 400th!!!! http://3ringnecklace.com/

Oh my god that sounds like so much fun! I'd pack my butt off just for one of those jumps! http://3ringnecklace.com/

Cypres 2 http://3ringnecklace.com/

I have had two lineovers that I have cleared by pulling down on (aka flaring) the rear risers. However, I will also say that the best thing is to use logical judgment and follow the teaching of your instructors. Good job- and I tip my hat to you for getting back into the air so soon. I've been told that pushing the nose too far into the canopy when packing can cause a lineover. Any thoughts? http://3ringnecklace.com/

Hey I don't drink beer either, so does that make me a freak? Good job on your EPs. I know it can by psychologically draining when you have a mal (or two) early on. I packed myself a mal on my 39th and 53rd jumps. I took three years off, and have since learned to pack quite well. I used to have skydiving nightmares even. Good for you that you are using this experience has a learning process. The most IMPORTANT thing is that you didn't get hurt. Kudos!! http://3ringnecklace.com/

Awesome pics! The haze in the air makes it hard to get a clear view of the land below in Georgia. http://3ringnecklace.com/

Sounds like you had a horrible experience. I'm so sorry that you had to got through something like that. Even if you never return to jumping but still stay in the skydiving community, there's no shame in that. This is YOUR decision. After my second malfunction, I took three years off. I came back to the sport when it was right for ME. http://3ringnecklace.com/